If you dream of working with animals but aren’t sure what kind of role you want, we’ve compiled some salary and job expectations for roles that involve working with animals. This might help you narrow down what you’d like to do!
Animal Attendant
Animal Attendants help take care of animals in care, responsible for their health and wellbeing.
Tasks and responsibilities
Tasks for an Animal Attendant will vary depending on the job, however most may include:
- Caring for, feeding and providing water to animals in care.
- Preparing any food that needs to meet special dietary requirements.
- Bathing and grooming animals.
- Treating animals and their coats for pests such as fleas and mites.
- Safely moving animals between enclosures.
- Cleaning out animal enclosures, ensuring they are clear of animal waste, disinfected and secure.
- Setting up bedding for animals.
- Where required and under the supervision of a vet, administering basic medications to animals.
- Paying attention and notifying the vet of any injuries or health issues.
- Monitoring animals for their records and also for behavioural issues that need to be addressed.
Salary range for Animal Attendant jobs in Australia
Current average annual salary range: $50,000 to $60,000
Dog Trainer
Helping dog owners train their dogs so they don’t develop problematic behaviour can be rewarding. Who doesn’t love seeing a happy, content and loved puppy with their family!
If you’re patient, have a genuine interest in animals and their behaviour and have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of different dog breeds then this could be the career for you.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Planning and holding training sessions to teach dogs to obey specific verbal and non-verbal commands, and also to socialise with other dogs. This training is also about teaching dog owners how to handle their dog’s behaviour, give commands and how to handle particular situations.
- Helping dog owners understand how to encourage and establish good habits and how to identify and discourage not so good behaviour.
- Monitoring and assessing dogs to identify areas that need additional training or potential behavioural issues.
Salary range for Dog Trainer jobs in Australia
Current average annual salary range: $45,000 to $65,000
Dog Groomer
Dog Groomers can work in a number of different settings, including in kennels, veterinary practices, mobile dog vans and pet salons.
As a dog groomer you will spend time standing, bending and crouching, so keep in mind that can be a physically demanding job.
Having a calm demeaner will help when handling different breeds of dogs.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Helping manage customer enquiries and bookings.
- Providing general care for the pets in the care of the salon during their booking and ensuring safe animal handling.
- Grooming dogs with the correct grooming tools, including bathing, washing, detangling, de-matting and drying dog coats, clipping nails and cleaning teeth.
- Ensuring a high standard of cleanliness is maintained for the room and all grooming equipment, tools and accessories.
- Keeping up to date on your knowledge of dog breeds, their coats, clipping techniques and brands and products.
Salary range for Dog Groomer jobs in Australia
Current average annual salary range: $55,000 to $60,000
Stablehand
Horses are beautiful, strong animals and as a stablehand you’ll be taking care of the horses that are in the care of the stables.
There will be long days working as a stable hand but if you’re resilient and aren’t afraid of hard work it could be for you.
Tasks and responsibilities
Tasks for a Stablehand may vary depending on the job, however most will include:
- Bathing, brushing and grooming horses.
- Cleaning out the stalls in the stables.
- Keeping the rest of the areas in the stables clean and clear.
- Cleaning tack and training equipment.
- Regular exercise for the horses, including riding, leading, walking and even swimming.
- If the stable you work at has racehorses – helping with pre-race prep, attending race meets and other equestrian events.
Salary range for Stable Manager jobs in Australia
Current average annual salary range: $50,000 to $60,000
If you’d like to study an animal related course to set you on the path for a career working with animals, take a look at our Certificate in Dog Care and Training, Certificate In Pet Care – Vet Assistant and Certificate In Animal Care.
If you’re looking for something new to study, take a look at our online courses.