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Imagine turning your love for animals into a rewarding and satisfying career. Animal care careers offer new challenges and a chance to work in a strong growth industry.

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Veterinary nursing is a rewarding and challenging career. It is a hands on occupation that brings you into contact with many animals and their owners. The Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is a national qualification recognised in all states of Australia, the industry standard for people wishing to operate as a veterinary nurse within a veterinary practice.

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Zookeeping careers embrace all captive animal environments and touch on everything from tourism to vet nursing. Animal attendants are also an in-demand career.

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CAPE - Testimonial - Animal Care - Darek Figa

Darek Figa

Animal studies is no monkey business

“Sharing these experiences, and in-field knowledge, with students is something you can't get from a class room.”
Darek Figa - TAFE NSW Animal Studies teacher

Darek Figa is building strong relationships between TAFE NSW and organisations like the National Zoo and Aquarium. However, it is this teacher’s experience and enthusiasm that takes him and his students further afield – overseas and along the tropical rivers of Asia.

“Students become educated through doing, seeing and being - in the correct context of an industry that they want to access."

A director at Orangutan Foundation International Australia (OFIA), Darek regularly leads TAFE NSW study tours to Borneo.

“I'm very passionate about wildlife conservation and animal behaviour,” says Darek. “And I love sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm with students.”

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CAPE - Animal Care and Horse Industry - FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Studying animal care allows you to pursue your passion for animals and turn your dreams into a reality. You will spend your days working with all types of animals, big and small, and making sure they receive five-star treatment and care.

You will find deeply meaningful employment as a veterinary nurse, stablehand or pet groomer. You’ll work in a dynamic industry that requires qualified, empathetic professionals who can provide exceptional animal care.

Learn all the essentials with the Certificate II in Animal Studies before landing your dream job as a vet nurse with the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

The Certificate III in Pet Grooming will have your clients' pets feeling their best, while the Certificate III in Companion Animal Services can open doors to pet sitting. The Certificate III in Captive Animals will teach you how to become a zookeeper.

Looking to work with horses? The Certificate III in Performance Horse, Certificate IV in Farriery or Certificate III in Racing (Trackwork Rider) could be for you.

No two days will ever be the same, as you conduct physical examinations, provide medication, admit and discharge animal patients, assist in surgical vet nursing procedures, assist and perform dental procedures, and provide exceptional tlc to the animals in your care. You’ll work in a vibrant team of animal lovers and use your empathy and great communication skills to liaise with clients about their furry companions.

Whether you want to start your own pet grooming business, or travel as a locum vet nurse, there are so many exciting career opportunities, with the most popular being:

  • Animal care receptionist
  • Animal trainer
  • Animal welfare attendant
  • Stablehand, horse stud assistant
  • Cattery attendant
  • Kennel attendant
  • Pet groomer
  • Pet sitter
  • Veterinary nurse
  • Captive animal keeper

Take your love for all creatures great and small and turn it into a dream career as a veterinary nurse. If you’re new to the industry, we recommend building a strong foundation with the Certificate II in Animal Studies. You can then go on to be a dynamic and qualified vet nurse with the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

The animal industry is booming. People are spending larger amounts of money on their furry friends and demanding more of their care. This expectation is leading to booming small businesses, which include pet sitting services, doggy day care centres and mobile pet services.

The animal care industry is broad, but also highly competitive. Our courses are designed to give you an edge to succeed in every area of animal care, whether it be veterinary nursing or pet grooming. There has never been a better time to get into the animal care industry!

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Enter your details to receive your free Animal Care and Management information pack, and a consultation with an enrolment advisor.

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What job opportunities could an animal care or horse industry course lead to?

An animal care and horse industry course can lead to a number of job opportunities; from grooming show dogs, and veterinary work, to zoo keeping, and maybe even taming lions. 

Qualifications in animal care and horse industry can lead to a job as:

  • an animal trainer
  • a zookeeper
  • a veterinary nurse
  • a wildlife carer 
  • a pet shop attendant

The average weekly salary for an animal trainer is $961.Whether you're just starting out in your animal care and horse industry career, you want to gain more qualifications, want to add to your previous experience, or simply want to broaden your horizons, TAFE NSW offers a wide variety of courses at a number of levels to suit you.

 TAFE NSW courses in this area include:

  • Veterinary Nursing
  • Aquaculture
  • Pet Grooming
  • Animal Studies
  • Captive Animals
  • Farriery 
  • Intensive Foal Nursing