Zookeeper – ANZSCO 361114

Zookeepers feed, provide water for and monitor the health of animals in zoos, aquaria and wildlife parks, cleans, fixes, and maintains animal cages, and informs visitors about animals.
Skill Level
3
Specialisations
  • Aquarist
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 Zookeeper is Vocational Education and Training Assess (VETASSESS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

  • AQF Certificate IV Qualification in a highly relevant field of study AND at least one year of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years; or
  • AQF Certificate IV Qualification that is not a highly relevant field of study AND at least two years post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years; or
  • AQF Certificate III Qualification in a highly relevant field of study AND at least three years of post-qualification highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years.
  • To achieve a positive skills assessment, the applicant must meet the qualification and employment experience requirements.

Important

According to VETASSESS, pre-qualification experience for Zookeepers may be considered in a skills assessment if the experience meets the following requirements:

  • Three years of relevant employment;
  • One year of highly relevant employment performed at the required skill level; and
  • The employment experience was gained in the last five years
Potential Visa Pathways for Zookeeper
ANZSCOOccupationSkills Assessment189190485 491 (State)491 (Family)186 (Direct)407 (Training)494 (regional Sponsored)482 (TSS Medium
Term)
361114ZookeeperVETASSESSxxxxx

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 Handler or Trainer
  • 361112 Horse Trainer
  • 361113 Pet Groomer
  • 361114 Zookeeper
  • 361115 Kennel Hand
  • 361116 Track Rider
  • 361199 Animal Attendants and Trainers nec
How to calculate your points (skilled visas)

To apply for a skilled visa, you need to know how many points you can score. The minimum score to be eligible for application is 65 points. However, depending on your occupation, the competitiveness, and the states you are applying to, you might need to score more points to get an invite.

Points will be given to you based on the following:

Click here to calculate your points.

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 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.

Age

Must be under 45 years of age, unless exempt.

Be Sponsored

Must be sponsored by an Australian regional employer.

Subclass 482 visa – Temporary Skill Shortage (Medium Term) visa

The Subclass 482 visa is a Temporary Skill Shortage visa that requires a sponsorship from an Australian employer. This visa allows to your live and work in Australia for up to 4 years. You may apply for as many 482 visas as you want, as long as the employer is willing to sponsor you.

English Level

Must have IELTS overall of atleast 5.0 with no band less than 5.0.

Age

There is no age requirement for this visa.

Health and Character

Must meet health and character requirements.

Important

Please note that according to the Department of Home Affairs, caveats apply to this visa type. Subclass 482 visa is only granted to Zookeepers who have an employer in a regional area of Australia.

Job Outlook

  • $986

    Weekly Earnings

  • 69%

    Work full time hours

  • Moderate

    Growth expected in the next 5 years

  • 63% female

    Gender share

  • 42 hours

    Average full-time

  • Lower skill

    Skill level rating

Study Pathways for Zookeeper

You can work as a Zookeeper without formal qualifications. You will probably get some informal training on the job. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have qualifications. You may like to consider a VET qualification in animal studies, animal technology, captive animals, companion animal services or a related area. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information.

Certificate III in Animal Studies

  • Duration: 6 months (full time)
  • Total Course Cost Approx: $8,500 AUD
  • Must be 18 years of age or over
  • English Language Proficiency – IETLS 6.0 with no band less than 5.5
  • Completion of Year 10 or equivalent
  • Certificate III in Companion Animal Services
  • Certificate III in Performance Horse
  • Certificate III in Pet Grooming

Book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find out more about your visa options and your path to Australian permanent residency or applying for citizenship.