ANZSCO code 361114
Zookeeper
Description
Feeds, provides water for and monitors the health of animals in zoos, aquaria and wildlife parks, cleans, fixes and maintains animal cages, and informs visitors about animals.
Skill Level 3
Occupations at Skill Level 3 have a level of skill commensurate with one of the following: – NZ Register Level 4 qualification – AQF Certificate IV or – AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training. 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.
Assessing Authority
- Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS)
vetassess@vetassess.com.au
Specialisations
- Aquarist
Specialisation titles are any commonly used titles which refer to a subset of jobs belonging to the occupation designated in the principal title. These jobs involve the performance of specialised tasks rather than the broader range of tasks usually performed in the occupation.
Unit Group 3611: Animal Attendants and Trainers
Description
Train, feed, groom and care for animals.
Indicative Skill Level The occupations Dog Trainer or Handler, Horse Trainer and Zookeeper 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 or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In New Zealand: NZQF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. The occupations Pet Groomer, Kennel Hand and Animal Attendants and Trainers nec in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.
In Australia: AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)
In New Zealand: NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4) 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.
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
Other occupations in this Unit Group
- 361111: Dog Handler or Trainer
- 361112: Horse Trainer
- 361113: Pet Groomer
- 361115: Kennel Hand
- 361199: Animal Attendants and Trainers nec