*Please note that all tertiary based placements for 2008 have been filled. Please re-visit our website after September to apply for placements in 2009.

A number of tertiary courses require students to complete a certain amount of hours in practical work placements. Zoos Victoria (ZV) has established partnerships with many Victorian tertiary institutions to provide a work experience facility to their students.

Students enrolled in relevant courses may be offered placements in the Animal Husbandry, Wildlife Conservation & Research, or Horticulture division, but placements are limited.

Generally, each placement extends for a period of 80 hours over a two-week period, but can be more or less depending upon the circumstances obtaining at the time.

Students interested in applying for tertiary placements at one of the three ZV campuses, do so initially through their institution and their Work Placement Coordinator.

Institutions currently in partnership with Zoos Victoria are:

Animal Husbandry

Box Hill Institute of TAFE
Victoria University of Technology
NMIT
Melbourne University
La Trobe University

VETS

The Veterinary Department currently offers a clinical externship programme for students undertaking the Veterinary Science degree. The programme is offered to students completing their final (clinical) years and is advertised within the Veterinary Science faculties each year. A covering letter and CV are submitted 12-18 months in advance of the nominated placement periods, and placements are allocated on the basis of the written application.

For Melbourne Zoo the programme is generally advertised during January-February of each year (for placements during the following year). At Healesville Sanctuary applications are accepted all year round. Students should be aware that there is strong competition for these placements, as they are offered to students at all vet schools in Australia. All students are expected to be self-motivated, enthusiastic and clinically competent. A basic knowledge of the principles of wildlife and exotic animal medicine is assumed.