Animal Attendants and Trainers nec – ANZSCO 361199
Animal Attendants and Trainers train, feed, groom and care for animals. This occupation group covers Animal Attendants and Trainers not elsewhere classified (ANZSCO).
- Skill Level
- 3
- Specialisations
-
- Crutching Contractor
- Muleser
Skills Assessment Requirement
Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.
Skills Assessment authority for Animal Attendants and Trainers nec is Vocational Education and Training Assess (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:
- Two pathways for skills assessment by VETASSESS
- Pathway A – Qualification/s assessed at least AQF Certificate II with a highly relevant field of study and at least one year of postqualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years
- Pathway B- Qualification/s assessed at Australian Certificate II without a highly relevant field of study and at least two years of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years
- For nec occupations, VETASSESS conducts a case-by-case assessment to determine whether the employment can be considered highly relevant to the classification.
- Highly relevant fields of study would include a major focus in an area that is highly relevant to the subsequent not elsewhere classified (nec) employment.
- Applicants should provide a cover letter that justifies the rationale for choosing an nec category.
Potential Visa Pathways for Animal Attendants and Trainers
| ANZSCO | Occupation | Skills Assessment | 189 | 190 | 485 | 491 (State) | 491 (Family) | 186 (Direct) | 407 (Training) | 494 (regional Sponsored) | 482 (TSS Short Term) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 361199 | Animal Attendants and Trainers nec | VETASSESS | x | √ | x | √ | x | x | √ | √ | √ |
Group: 3611 Animal Attendants and Trainers
- Description
- train, feed, groom and care for animals.
- Tasks
-
- teaching animals to obey verbal and non-verbal commands and addressing behavioural problems
- training animals to accept riders and pull vehicles
- training animals to perform in competitions
- bathing, cutting, combing, blow-drying and styling pets’ coats, clipping their nails and cleaning their ears
- inspecting, preparing, cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining comfortable animal cages and enclosures
- transporting food, filling water troughs and feeding animals according to their individual needs
- maintaining animal health records, treating minor injuries and reporting serious conditions to Veterinarians
- exercising and playing with animals, answering visitor questions, and transferring animals between enclosures by leading or carrying them
- dusting and spraying insecticides on animals and immersing them in insecticide baths, to control insect pests
- Skill Level
- Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.
In Australia:
AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)In New Zealand:
NZ Register Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Registration or licensing may be required.
- Occupations in this Group
-
- 361111 Dog Trainer or Handler
- 361112 Horse Trainer
- 361113 Pet Groomer
- 361114 Zookeeper
- 361115 Kennel Hand
- 361199 Animal Attendants and Trainers nec
Subclass 190 visa– Skilled Nominated Visa & Subclass 491 visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
To apply for visa subclass 190 and visa subclass 491, you need to have a nomination from the state/territory government where you want to live and work. Each State and Territory have individual requirements that must be met in order to receive nomination. (See below)
While the 190 visa is a permanent visa, subclass 491 visa gives you right to live and work in regional Australia for 5 years with a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa.
Another difference between the 190 and 491 visa is that you can only apply for visa subclass 491 if you are living and working in regional areas in Australia, while it is not a requirement if you are applying for the 190 visa.
In summary, to be eligible for 190 visa, you need to meet the following criteria:
Immigration Points
Must score at least 65 points, or higher points if the state or territory requires.
English
Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, or higher if the state or territory requires.
Age
Must be under 45 years of age.
be invited
Must lodge an EOI and be invited by the state or territory and then apply for the visa.
Skills assessment
Must have positive skills assessment. Each occupation has a specific assessing authority.
HEALTH AND CHARACTER
Must meet health and character requirements.
To check if the state/ territory government requirements for your occupation, refer to the following links
State/ Territory |
Links to requirements |
| New South Wales |
|
| Victoria | |
| South Australia | |
| Western Australia | |
| Northern Territory | |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | |
| Tasmania | |
| Queensland |
407 Training Visa
The 407 visa a short stay visa for individuals to participate in occupational training or professional development in Australia. This visa is generally valid to stay in Australia for 2 years. Please note this visa is subject to condition 8102 which forbids work apart from the training that is specified in the visa application. You are also required to maintain health insurance whilst in Australia.
To be eligible for visa 407, you need to meet the following criteria:
GTE
You must prove that you genuinely stay in Australia for training and will depart when you complete the training.
English Level
Must have Functional English, i.e. IELTS overall 4.5 with no band less than 4, or equivalent.
Age
Must be over 18 years old.
Be Sponsored
You must be sponsored by an approved temporary activities sponsor – Can be an employer or a commonwealth agency
HEALTH INSURANCE
Must hold valid private health insurance.
Health and Character
Must meet health and character requirements.
Subclass 494 visa – Skilled Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
You can apply for subclass 494 if you have a regional employer who is willing to sponsor you. To be eligible for this visa, you must have at least 3 years of working experience in your nominated occupation and have a relevant skills assessment. With this visa, there is a requirement that you must work for the employer who is sponsoring you.
This visa provides pathway to permanent residency through the 191 visa.
Experience
At least 3 years full-time work experience in the nominated occupation.
English
Must have at least Competent English, i.e., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.
Be Sponsored
Must be sponsored by an Australian regional employer.
Skills assessment
Must have a positive skills assessment.
Location
Must live and work in regional areas in Australia.
Subclass 482 visa – Temporary Skill Shortage (Short Term)
The Subclass 482 visa is a Temporary Skill Shortage visa that requires a sponsorship from an Australian employer. The TSS short term stream visa allows to your live and work in Australia for up to 2 years each time you are granted this visa. You may apply for two 482 visas in the short stream onshore and subsequent ones offshore, as long as the employer is willing to sponsor you. The TSS 482 short term stream does not have a path to permanent residency throught the 186 visa.
Experience
At least 2 years work experience in the nominated occupation.
English Level
Must have IELTS atleast 5.0 with no band less than 4.5.
Age
There is no age requirement for this visa.
Be Sponsored
Must be sponsored by an Australian employer.
Skills assessment
Generally not required unless on this list.
Health and Character
Must meet health and character requirements.
Important
Caveats apply to this type of visa. Subclass 482 visa excludes positions that relate to animal husbandry, including caring for livestock on a farm.
Job Outlook
Study Pathway for Animal Attendant
The best qualification to get started in an animal care career is the Certificate II in Animal Studies.
With a Certificate II in animal studies, you will learn how to provide safe and effective animal care, comply with infection control and maintain equipment. You will gain a comprehensive knowledge of workplace safety, general administration, stock control as well as coordinating consulting and theatre routines. You will be able to advise clients about nutrition, animal care, grooming and parasite control products. You may also participate in practical training at a veterinary clinic or other animal shelter.
Course Details
- Duration: 6-12 months
- Cost: Approx AUD $5-10,000 per year for international students
Requirements
You will need to have completed year 10, or equivalent. Equivalency can be demonstrated by one of the following:
- A qualification at Certificate II level or higher OR
- 2 years of industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication.
Related Courses
- Diploma in Veterinary Nursing
