The animal care and training industry in South Australia employs around 3,300 individuals, with job prospects highlighting a growth of 500 new positions over the next five years. Most workers are younger, and the industry primarily involves care for both domestic and farm animals, requiring patience and a passion for animals. Common qualifications range from Certificate III to university degrees in animal behavior and science, while various roles include veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and dog trainers.

1. Animal care and training
Employment prospects Quick facts about this industry If you are at school
The Animal Care and Training industry • The majority of people work full-time. For vocational education in SACE, ask your
employs 3,300 South Australians, which is VET coordinator at school, and visit
around 0.4% of the State’s workforce. • he most common qualification held by workers in this industry is
T www.sace.sa.edu.au to check the VET
About 500 new jobs are expected to open up either a Certificate III qualification or a university degree. recognition register. Check the following
industries to see which qualifications can
over the next five years due to industry growth
and replacement of people who will retire.
• There are more women than men working in this industry. be recognised in the SACE. Some of the
Certificate III qualifications may be available
Most people in this industry work in • eople working in the industry are generally younger than in
P for Training Guarantee for SACE Students.
jobs that relate to farms, i.e. working other industries. • Animal Care
with cattle, sheep and horses, while the
• Racing
remainder work with domestic animals. • o work in this industry you need to be patient and calm, free from
T
If you are thinking about VET, Vocational
Around half of the jobs in this industry are allergies to animal fur, and have a keen interest in animals. qualifications include:
in rural areas, and the other half are in the
• eterinarians earn around $1,100 per week, while Veterinary Nurses
V • Certificate I and II in Animal Studies
southern, northern, eastern and western
• ertificate III and Diploma in Animal Technology
C
metropolitan areas and the Barossa Valley. earn between $400 and $800 per week.
• Certificate III and IV in Captive Animals
• ookeepers and Animal Technicians earn between $600
Z • ertificate III and IV in Companion
C
and $1,000 per week. Animal Services
• ertificate IV in Animal Control and Regulation
C
• ertificate IV and Diploma of Veterinary
C
Nursing, with specialisations in surgical,
dental and emergency and critical care
• ertificate I, II, III, IV and Diploma in Racing,
C
specialisations in stablehand, kennelhand,
Top job openings racing administration, track maintenance,
Veterinary Nurses steward, trackrider, racehorse trainer, jockey,
Veterinarians harness race driver and greyhound trainer.
Animal Attendants and Trainers
For more information about the qualifications
Shearers and where to go, check the job guide:
www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au
Check www.skills.sa.gov.au to see what
courses are available under Skills for All.
skills.sa.gov.au 1800 506 266 12

2. If you are thinking about university, They prepare animals for treatment, administer Sport and recreation, including racing Stablehands/Stable Supervisors
degrees include: medication, monitor and exercise hospitalised Dog and horse racing includes training services, Veterinarians
• Bachelor of Animal Behaviour animals, sterilise instruments, clean cages and operating racing kennels and stables, maintaining Veterinary Nurses
• Bachelor of Animal Science advise clients on good nutrition and animal horse and dog racing tracks, and administrative Wool Handlers
• Bachelor of Science (Animal Science). behaviour. They also perform reception and services offered by racing authorities and boards. Wool Classers
administrative tasks for the veterinary clinic. Zookeepers.
Check the three South Australian university Horse trainers and jockeys usually specialise in:
websites and South Australian Tertiary Shearers cut wool from sheep, goats and • thoroughbreds for galloping races
Admissions Centre (SATAC) listed at the front alpacas using power driven handpieces, • standardbreds for pacing or trotting races Occupations in this
of this guide. For more information about the which are fitted with combs and cutters. • p
erformance horses for events, show jumping
qualifications and where to go, check the job
industry link to the:
Expedition shearers work in a team and travel and dressage.
guide: www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au • Agriculture and Fishing industry
long distances from property to property to work. Stablehands assist with maintaining and cleaning • Science industry
Occupations in this industry Others may work within their own district and stables and handling horses. With experience, • Sport and Recreation industry.
travel daily from home to the shearing shed. and sometimes further training, a stablehand
Occupations in this industry can be divided into
Dog trainers working with domestic animals may progress to stable supervisor. Some
two general streams – people that work with
usually focus on correcting bad behaviour and stablehands who show potential and are light
domestic and farm animals, and people that work
training dogs to obey commands and perform in weight may become apprentice jockeys.
with animals in the sport and recreation industry.
specific tasks. Trainers also work with Guide Dogs Dog trainers in the sport and recreation
Working with domestic and farm animals and other assistance animals for people with a industry usually specialise in enhancing the
Veterinarians diagnose and treat sickness, disability, or with police dogs and customs ‘sniffer’ performance of racing dogs. There are also a
disease and injury in all types of animals. dogs for Police and Border Protection (Customs). small number of people who work with a range
They advise on measures to prevent the
Zoos of animals, training them for entertainment
occurrence or spread of diseases and to
Zookeepers help care for animals in zoos performances in theme parks or for television.
improve the health and productivity of animals.
and wildlife parks, providing enrichment Need more info?
Veterinary nurses assist veterinarians in Occupations in this industry include:
activities for the animals, assistance to
Animal Attendants and Trainers Primary Industries Skills Council SA Inc
the treatment and care of animals needing veterinary staff, and information to the www.pisc.org/au/careers.html
medical and/or surgical attention. public on animals and conservation. Animal Technicians
Boarding Kennel/Cattery Operators Agrifood Skills Council Sector report
Animal technicians help veterinary, medical, www.agrifoodskills.net.au/publications/scan/2011
Customs Dog Handlers
pharmaceutical, agricultural and general Dog Trainers Agrifood Careers
scientists and students to care for and Guide Dog Instructors www.agrifoodcareers.com.au/home.php?id=1
check on animals used for research, Horse Trainers www.thejoboutlook.gov.au
breeding and scientific purposes. Jockeys www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au
Shearers
Career information about specific occupations has been sourced from www.myfuture.com.au and industry skills bodies. South Australian labour market
information has been sourced from ABS Catalogue 6291.0.55.003 Labour Force, average of 4 quarters to November quarter 2011. South Australian
information on Age, Region and Income has been sourced from the Australian Census of Population and Housing 2006. Job Openings information is sourced 13
from the South Australian Training and Skills Commission, (unpublished) 2011.© Copyright 2012 Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills