28 of the best jobs & careers helping animals in Australia
Dreaming of careers helping animals? Explore 28 animal care jobs in Australia, from entry-level roles to specialised paths & study options.
Working with animals offers a completely different experience from traditional office work. If you’re reading this, you’re probably preparing for your first job or trying to switch careers. The good news is that animal care careers are growing fast in Australia, with veterinary nursing alone employing over 17,600 people and adding more than 1,200 new positions every year.
This guide will show you 28 careers for helping animals, including entry-level roles you can land within months and specialised professions that require years of training. Cuddling rescue puppies, rehabilitating injured wildlife and performing surgery on sick pets could all be part of your daily responsibilities if you choose a pathway that fits your passion and lifestyle.
You don’t need to become a veterinarian to build a meaningful career with animals. Plenty of roles welcome beginners with entry-level qualifications and many let you work your way up as you gain experience and figure out which species you love working with the most. This guide will show you how to get started and make the most impact without expensive and time-consuming degrees.
Careers helping animals: meaningful work that makes a difference
Careers helping animals let you spend your working life improving the wellbeing of those who can’t advocate for themselves. You might work in veterinary clinics, animal shelters, wildlife sanctuaries, farms or conservation programmes, depending on which animals capture your heart and what types of work suit your personality.
Australia is a nation obsessed with its pets. Nearly 29 million animals live across 6.9 million households, with 69% of Australian homes caring for at least one furry, feathered or scaly companion. That’s one of the highest pet ownership rates on the planet.
On top of that, Australians spend over $33 billion each year on their animals, covering everything from premium kibble to veterinary care, grooming and accessories. All those beloved pets need professionals who can keep them happy and healthy.
Why animal-focused careers continue to grow
Animal welfare has become a priority across the country. Pet owners now see their animals as family members, with over 70% citing companionship as their main reason for getting a pet. This emotional bond drives demand for higher-quality care, better facilities and more qualified professionals who treat animals with the respect their owners expect.
Veterinary clinics, shelters, farms and wildlife services all struggle to find enough skilled workers. The industry faces a job shortage as experienced professionals leave due to burnout and workload pressures, which creates opportunities for newcomers willing to build careers in animal care.
Who animal care careers are best suited for
Animal care careers suit people who prioritise meaningful work over heaps of cash. A 2023 survey found that 70% of veterinary nurses reported being negatively impacted by low pay and heavy workloads. While animal care roles usually offer modest salaries, you’ll finish each day knowing your work matters to creatures who need your help.
Here’s who thrives in animal-focused roles:
Hands-on workers: You’ll clean enclosures, care for anxious animals, assist with medical procedures and stay on your feet for hours.
Career starters and changers: Entry-level qualifications like SOE’s Certificate II in Animal Care are easy ways in for people beginning their working lives or looking for a more meaningful career.
Purpose-driven personalities: These roles are ideal for people whose work impact matters more than maximising salary. Animal care rewards people who value making a difference over maximising their income.
Types of jobs helping animals in Australia
Animal care careers cover everything from cuddling anxious rescue pups to researching endangered species in remote bushland. Your options depend on which animals you want to work with and how much training you’re willing to complete.
Companion animal care roles
Companion animal roles focus on the pets Australians love the most, primarily dogs and cats in boarding facilities and grooming salons. Here’s where companion animal workers can end up:
Animal care attendant: You’ll feed, exercise and monitor pets whilst their owners are away, keeping detailed notes on eating habits and any health concerns that pop up.
Kennel hand: This job for helping animals will have you cleaning enclosures and maintaining hygiene standards in boarding facilities to keep animals comfortable and prevent disease from spreading.
Pet boarding assistant: Nervous animals need patient humans who can settle them into unfamiliar environments and reassure worried owners that their fur babies are in good hands.
Dog groomer: You’ll wash, clip, brush and style pets to keep them healthy and looking sharp. Many groomers build loyal client bases and eventually open their own salons.
Dog walker: The quintessential job for teenagers can actually be quite lucrative if you live in an area with plenty of dogs and you’ve built enough experience and can walk multiple dogs at the same time. The average wage for dog walkers in Australia is $32.78, so you could make some decent cash while hanging out with furry friends.
Pet sitter: This flexible work is perfect for people who want animal contact without full-time employment. You can build your own client list and pick up gigs as they need your help when they leave town.
Animal health support roles
If you’re interested in healthcare and want to help animals, then you could become a veterinarian or animal nurse to keep animals alive and living well. This is what animal health support roles look like:
Veterinarian: Vets diagnose illnesses, perform surgery, prescribe medications and make tough calls when animals can’t be saved. This job requires 5–6 years of university study, but it’s one of the most impactful animal health careers you can pursue.
Veterinary assistant: They restrain animals during examinations, prepare surgery rooms and deal with the paperwork and admin duties that keep clinics running smoothly. You’ll need a Certificate IV or Diploma in Veterinary Nursing to qualify for these roles.
Veterinary nurse assistant: This is a great stepping stone toward becoming a veterinary nurse, as you’ll help qualified professionals with patient monitoring and post-operation recovery whilst building skills.
Animal care technician: They maintain equipment and ensure clinics remain clean and compliant with strict hygiene standards that protect vulnerable animals. Detail-oriented people thrive in these roles.
Animal physiotherapist: These rehabilitation specialists help animals recover from injuries or chronic conditions through exercises and massage.
Shelter and rescue work
Shelter roles are perfect for people who can handle emotional intensity whilst helping animals find second chances with loving families. Here’s where animal shelter workers make the biggest impact.
Animal shelter attendant: Do this if you want to feed animals and socialise with them on a daily basis whilst keeping them healthy and adoptable as they wait for their permanent homes. Some days are heartbreaking, but watching animals leave with their forever homes makes it all worthwhile.
Animal welfare officer: They investigate cruelty complaints and rescue animals from dangerous situations. Not a job for the faint of heart, but certainly one of the jobs with the biggest impact. Few jobs make a bigger difference for animals suffering at human hands.
Rescue and rehoming coordinator: You’ll match animals with suitable adopters, which requires good judgment about which homes might actually work out. Expect interviews, home checks and paperwork that gets rescue animals into safe forever homes.
Animal training roles
Training roles are all about helping animals adapt better to life with humans, helping them learn behaviours that improve their lives and relationships with their person. If you’re interested in animal psychology and love a good challenge, try becoming a:
Dog trainer: You’ll teach obedience, socialisation and behaviour modification to help dogs become better companions. Many trainers work independently, building client bases through referrals and reputation.
Guide dog and assistance animal trainer: You’ll prepare dogs to support people with disabilities, which requires patience and deep understanding of both animal and human needs.
Animal behaviourist: Complex behavioural problems like aggression or anxiety require a behavioural specialist. You’ll need university qualifications in animal behaviour or psychology to provide these services.
Entry-level wildlife support roles
Wildlife roles connect you with native Australian animals, from injured possums to endangered species fighting for survival. Here’s how wildlife careers begin:
Wildlife carer: They rehabilitate injured or orphaned native animals with the goal of releasing them back into the wild once they’re healthy and independent. Most carers start as volunteers before finding paid positions with wildlife organisations.
Conservation field assistant: This is a role that helps animals but doesn’t directly involve them. You’ll support researchers with habitat surveys and data collection to improve conservation efforts across Australia. Expect early mornings, remote locations and weather that doesn’t care about your comfort.
Marine and aquatic animal roles
Marine roles take you underwater or along the coast, working with creatures most Australians never encounter up close. This is what marine animal careers look like:
Marine biologist: They research ocean ecosystems, study marine species behaviour and contribute to conservation efforts to protect underwater habitats.
Fisheries officer: Almost like the police, but they’re in charge of enforcing fishing regulations and verifying that fisheries are following sustainable practices that balance industry needs with environmental protection.
Aquaculture technician: They manage fish farms and monitor water quality to maintain the systems that produce seafood sustainably.
Animal science and research careers
If you want a mentally stimulating role that still helps animals, then you should think about becoming an animal scientist or researcher. You’ll understand animals deeply and contribute knowledge that improves their wellbeing. Here’s how:
Animal scientist: You’ll study animal behaviour, nutrition and genetics to improve welfare standards across agriculture, conservation and companion animal industries.
Wildlife researcher: They research wild animal populations, documenting species behaviour and contributing to conservation programmes that protect biodiversity. Fieldwork in this industry can take you to places most people never see.
Research assistant: You’ll support senior scientists with data collection and fieldwork that feeds into larger projects. This is a solid starting point if you’re considering postgraduate study.
Education and public awareness roles
Animal educator roles let you share your knowledge with schools and communities to inspire the next generation of wildlife advocates. This is how you can make a career out of your knowledge and passion for helping animals:
Animal studies educator: You can teach students about animal care and biology through courses like SOE’s Certificate II in Animal Care.
Wildlife park educator: They run school programmes and guide wildlife park visitors as they meet the animals at the park.
Community outreach coordinator: You’ll build awareness campaigns, organise events and educate communities about responsible pet ownership and wildlife conservation.
Qualifications needed for careers helping animals
Your qualification requirements depend on which animal career you’re chasing. Some roles accept passionate beginners whilst others demand years of specialised training.
Can you work with animals without formal qualifications?
Yes, you can work with animals without formal qualifications, albeit your options are a bit limited. You can volunteer at shelters, wildlife sanctuaries or even veterinary clinics to gain experience with no qualifications on paper. Many animal care professionals started by walking dogs at their local rescue or helping wildlife carers during busy seasons before getting formal qualifications.
The limitations are a lot more evident when you’re competing for advertised jobs. Employers reviewing stacks of applications favour candidates who’ve invested in recognised training because it shows commitment and baseline competency, even with no experience. Without qualifications, your career progression options will be more limited.
Why entry-level qualifications improve job prospects
Formal training turns animal lovers into employable professionals who can contribute from day one without needing constant supervision. This is why employers prefer qualified candidates:
Demonstrated commitment: Completing a qualification proves that you’re serious about animal care as a career.
Foundational handling skills: You’ll learn how to safely restrain an animal and species-specific approaches that protect both the animals and yourself.
Health and welfare knowledge: Everyone who works with animals must know how to recognise signs of illness and tell when an animal is injured versus just stressed out.
Workplace confidence: Trained workers can handle unfamiliar situations calmly because they’ve run into similar scenarios during coursework and placements.
Certificate II as a starting point for animal careers
SOE’s Certificate II in Animal Care provides the entry-level qualification that opens doors across shelters, boarding facilities and wildlife organisations. Here’s why this certificate is worth your time:
Built for beginners: You don’t need prior experience or industry connections to enrol.
Practical focus: You’ll learn all about animal handling, feeding routines, enclosure maintenance and basic health monitoring through hands-on activities.
Industry-aligned content: The curriculum is based on what Australian employers expect from entry-level workers, so you’ll graduate with skills that translate directly into job performance.
Pathway to further study: Certificate III holders can move into Certificate IV qualifications, veterinary nursing diplomas or animal science degrees once they’ve confirmed that a career in animal care suits them.
Jobs helping animals with different qualification levels
Your qualification level largely determines which animal careers you can access, with options ranging from entry-level roles that require minimal training to university degrees for specialised professions.
Entry-level and no-degree animal jobs
These roles welcome passionate beginners, though completing a Certificate II in Animal Care makes you far more competitive when applying.
Here’s what entry-level animal roles involve:
| Role | What you’ll do | Typical requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Animal care attendant | Feed and clean animals in shelters or boarding facilities | Certificate II in Animal Care preferred, but some employers accept experience only |
| Kennel hand | Walk dogs and keep boarding facilities clean | No formal qualifications required |
| Stable hand | Muck out stables, groom horses and help feed them | Experience with horses helpful |
| Pet bather | Wash, dry and brush pets in grooming salons | No qualifications needed |
Vocational education and training pathways
You can easily access much better jobs than entry-level with a certificate or diploma that could be yours in just a few months. Here’s what vocational training can unlock:
Certificate II in Animal Care: SOE’s entry-level qualification prepares you for jobs like animal care assistant or shelter assistant that are needed in multiple industries.
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing: This qualification lets you work as a veterinary nurse, which means you’ll help with surgery and patient care.
Diploma of Animal Technology: Opens doors to laboratory animal care and advanced technician roles that require specialised knowledge.
University-qualified animal careers
University degrees unlock the most specialised and highest-paying animal careers, which require three to six years of study depending on your chosen field:
| Field | Career outcomes | Study duration |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary science | Veterinarian who can diagnose, treat and operate on animals | 5–6 years |
| Animal behaviour and welfare | Animal behaviourist, welfare officer or research roles | 3–4 years |
| Environmental and biological sciences | Conservation biologist or wildlife researcher | 3–4 years |
How to start a career helping animals
Even though you can start working to help animals without qualifications or experience, that won’t get you very far. You need the right mix of qualifications and experience to make a career out of helping animals. These are the steps to follow:
1. Choose the right course for your career goals
Entry-level certificates are great for beginners testing whether animal care suits them, whilst diplomas and degrees unlock specialised roles with better pay and more responsibility. Nationally recognised qualifications are important here because employers trust them. Random online courses from overseas providers won’t carry the same weight when you’re competing for jobs against candidates holding credentials that Australian employers recognise and respect.
2. Combine study with volunteering or work experience
Qualifications alone won’t land you jobs in a field where employers value hands-on competence above everything else. Here’s how to build experience whilst studying:
Shelter volunteering: Walking dogs and cleaning enclosures doesn’t pay much, but you’ll learn about handling animals whilst demonstrating commitment to potential employers.
Wildlife carer networks: Joining local wildlife groups can connect you with experienced carers who can mentor you through rehabilitation work with native species.
Veterinary clinic shadowing: Observing vets and nurses shows you the daily realities of working in a clinic and sometimes leads to paid positions when openings come up.
3. Next steps for aspiring animal care professionals
Ready to turn your love of animals into a proper career? Here’s your action plan:
Talk to a course adviser: They’ll help you figure out which qualification matches your goals and answer questions about study loads, costs, career outcomes and part-time opportunities.
Set a realistic timeline: Decide when you can start studying and how many hours weekly you can commit around existing work or family responsibilities.
Apply and get started: SOE’s online enrolment process takes minutes and flexible start dates mean you’re not waiting around for traditional semester intakes.
FAQs about careers and jobs helping animals
What are the best entry-level careers helping animals?
Animal care attendant, kennel hand and veterinary assistant roles let you start working with animals almost right away. These positions provide hands-on experience that builds your skills and proves to future employers you can handle the work.
Do I need qualifications to get a job helping animals?
Some employers accept passionate beginners, but most prefer candidates with recognised training. Qualifications like SOE’s Certificate II in Animal Care show that you’re committed to helping animals and give you the skills you need to be more competitive.
Is Certificate II in Animal Care worth it?
Absolutely. The qualification opens doors to entry-level roles, teaches you practical skills that employers value and creates pathways into veterinary nursing or animal science if you want to progress even further.
Is animal care a good long-term career?
Animal care has many pathways from hands-on shelter work to advanced scientific research. Animal trainers rank in the top 3% of all careers for job satisfaction, driven by meaningful work and visible positive impacts on animal wellbeing.
Stop scrolling pet videos and start working with them
Australia’s nearly 29 million pets need qualified humans who can keep them healthy, happy and out of trouble. Shelters need compassionate workers and clinics need skilled assistants. The opportunities are there if you’re willing to get trained.
SOE’s Certificate II in Animal Care gives you the entry-level qualification you need to get your first job at a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, boarding facility or wildlife organisation. You’ll graduate with practical skills that employers love and a clear pathway into further study if you want to keep progressing.
Chat with a course adviser today to find out how SOE can launch your animal care career.