The entry requirements to study animals will vary based on the course you want. Academic requirements will differ between educational institutions and the level of study you undertake. For the most accurate information, you should view the course information on the institution’s website.
Typically, you’ll need to have an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12) or the overseas equivalent to complete an undergraduate degree (like if you wanted to become a Veterinarian).
For Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses, most students will need to have reached a level of study equivalent to the Australian Year 10. Some courses may require extra prerequisite subjects or work experience.
When studying animal care, there are several skills that will help you be the best animal studies professional you can be. While some things can be learned, these are some intrinsic skills you should possess, or be willing to work on:
Love all animals? Like a hands-on approach to work? Dislike sitting in front of a desk all day? A career in animal care might be the perfect fit. You’ll need to be comfortable and good at working with a team, as well as comfortable communicating with your colleagues and pet owners.
Because animals require 24 hour care, seven days a week, you’ll need to be flexible in your working hours as you might find yourself in a role where you’re working on the weekends or later at night.
Not to mention animal care can certainly be a bit messy at times, as well as taking an emotional toll when dealing with injured or sick animals. However, animal care is an incredibly fulfilling job and for a true animal lover, the positives of working in animal care far outweigh any unpleasantries.
There are a range of Animal Care courses to take, from certificates to diplomas and undergraduate degrees. The course you choose will depend on your career outcomes and what you want to get out of studying animal care. Do you want to work in a zoo? Vet clinic? Wildlife sanctuary? The end goal will help you decide the right qualification you need.
There are several career pathways following an animal studies course. Here are some potential jobs:
University of Western Australia, University of Queensland, Australian National University, and University of Sydney are excellent institutions to complete an animal studies certification. Institutions like TAFE, as well as online education platforms like Open Colleges also offer a range of certificates and diplomas in animal care.
How much you can earn with an animal studies qualification varies on your chosen career. While animal attendants will earn somewhere around $47,000, vet nurses can earn around $66,000 a year, while zookeepers can earn around $57,000 per year.
Close to 70 per cent of Australians own a pet – which is one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. As such, animal careers remain in demand in 2022 and well into the future.
Government funding assists students by subsidising their tuition fees, with funding varying between states and territories. In NSW, for example, Smart and Skilled is a reform of the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. It helps people in NSW get the skills they need to find a job and advance their careers. Under Smart and Skilled, the NSW Government contributes to the cost of each course with the student paying the balance. Animal studies is currently not subsidised by the government.