Careers with Animals

Work with animals and people, as a veterinary nurse, dog trainer, pet groomer, animal attendant, at pet retailing outlets, boarding kennels and catteries and welfare organisations

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Working in the Animal Care Industry

Working with animals has become an increasingly popular career choice for many people. Some people begin working with animals at a very early age as they may instinctively have a desire to care for animals and for some, a hobby can turn into fulfilling career. For others, working with animals is a rewarding career change that allows them to fulfill a lifelong dream and passion.

Animal Care Career

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See what people say about AIRC

I have been proud to see several employees further their studies by doing AIRC Certificate I, II and IV. There are excellent notes and the students are required to complete practical exercises for common tasks in a veterinary clinic/ hospital. Best of all it stimulates the students/ mentor to understand why we do the things we do and question whether we should do things differently. It's a useful way for staff to make the transition from assistants, who need to be told what to do, to nurses who now what they should do and why.

Brad Easton, Best Friends Vet Hospital

Training that Builds Your Career

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The Animal Industries Resource Centre offers a wide range of nationally recognised qualifications to help you achieve your goals. Starting at our Pet Technician course to Diplomas in Veterinary Nursing. We have a course or nationally recognised qualification to meet your needs. Most qualifications are nationally recognised throughout Australia and some are recognised in other parts of the world.

Discover the career opportunities in this exciting field and get some tips on getting a job in animal care.

If you know what course you want then jump straight to Courses Available in the top menu. Otherwise get an overview of our Animal Industry qualifications below.

Animal Studies

Animal Studies courses are generally entry level courses to the veterinary and companion animal industries. You typically will be either studying to gain employment or working as a trainee in the industry. They lead on to higher level qualifications as your job role allows.

Foundation knowledge courses (non accredited)

Understand the basics of companion animal care. Suitable for the casual learner in the industry or the interested pet owner.

Pet Technician Certificate

Entry Level qualifications (nationally recognised)

Trainee qualifications suitable for entry level work roles.

Veterinary Nursing

Veterinary nursing qualifications are for people working with animals in a veterinary clinical setting.

Graduate Qualifications (nationally recognised)

Industry recognised graduate qualifications for veterinary nurses.

ACM40412 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Post Graduate Qualifications (nationally recognised)

Take your qualifications to a higher level. For veterinary nurses working in busy general, emergency or specialist practices.

Speciality and Professional Development courses (non accredited)

Learn just what you need or build on your nationally recognised qualifications.

Practice Managers

Qualification suitable for managers of reception and customer service delivery.

Graduate Qualifications (nationally recognised)

BSB51915 Diploma of Leadership and Management

Career Paths

The first step to take to ensure you gain the position you want is to complete some animal care studies. We offer a pathway to getting that qualification and the career you desire.

Check out your study options!

Starting Out

If you are not working in the veterinary or animal care industries we suggest commencing at our Certificate I in Animal Studies qualification. You will need to gain some practical experience to successfully complete all of the requirements of this course.

A Certificate II in Animal Studies course requires 8 hours placement in a veterinary or animal care facility for the duration of the course to be successful in completing all practical components.

After completing a Certificate I or II in Animal Studies qualification you could pursue a career in the following:

as a trainee veterinary nurse in general practice
as an animal care attendant
as a pet shop attendant
as an assistant dog groomer
within the veterinary supplies and pharmaceutical industries

Graduate Level

After successfully completing a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing you could develop a career in some of the following:

as a clinical nurse in general practice
in a specialised veterinary referral centre
as a veterinary practice manager
in Vocational Education Training (VET) as a trainer and assessor
within the veterinary supplies and pharmaceutical industries

After successfully completing a Certificate III or Certificate IV in Companion Animal Studies you could develop a career in some of the following:

Pet store assistant or manager
Boarding facility assistant or manager
Pet groomer

Postgraduate Level

After completing one of the Diplomas in Veterinary Nursing you could develop a career in:

advanced clinical nursing in general practice
a specialised veterinary referral centre
veterinary practice management
in Vocational Education Training (VET) as a trainer and assessor
the veterinary supplies and pharmaceutical industries

Career Pathways Chart

The qualifications flagged with "E" show possible starting points for Animal Industry qualifications (depends on industry experience and/or prior qualifications)

Career Pathways