Becoming a zoo keeper

There are more than 150 zoo keepers employed at our four zoos to ensure world-class welfare and care is provided for a range of native Australian, exotic and endangered animals across the three properties.

Applying for a position as a Zoo Keeper with Zoos Victoria is slightly complex compared to other advertised roles as you must be on our Preferred Keeper List (see below) in order to be considered for a zoo keeping role.

Ensure your qualifications are up to date 

Although a qualification is not required to become an entry-level zoo keeper, qualifications are looked upon favourably due to the high number of applications we receive. 

The types of suitable qualifications include:

• Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care: Taronga Training Institute currently delivers this course at Melbourne Zoo. Other providers include:

  • Box Hill Tafe

  • Careers Training Centre

  • National Training Masters

• Certificates of Diploma in Animal Studies/Care

• Bachelor degrees in Science, Zoology, Biology, Veterinary Nursing or other animal-related disciplines.

Get experience

We recommend getting some work experience or either paid or volunteer experience working with animals (farm animals, domestic animals, or wildlife).

We look for applicants with more than three months experience in the above areas, demonstrating your commitment to a career in animal husbandry.

Unfortunately Zoos Victoria do no offer volunteer and husbandry experience, however there are plenty of organisations that need volunteers to continue their vital work caring for animals including:

• Wildlife Parks, Sanctuaries and Farms

• Your local veterinary surgery

• RSPCA

• Animal welfare organisations

• Dog training companies

• Wildlife rescue agencies

• Local kennels and catteries

Apply for a role on our Preferred Keeper List/Keeper Pool

To be considered for a Zoo Keeping position, applicants must first be accepted onto the Preferred Keeper List/Keeper Pool.

Recruitment to this keeper list occurs a few times a year and is always advertised on Zoos Victoria's website.

The selection process follows the regular recruitment process and also involves a workplace assessment. Once a zoo keeping role becomes available, candidates from the Preferred Keeper List are eligible to apply.

Short-term contracts are offered to the Preferred Keeper List as the roles become available and can range from a few weeks to 12 months, either in a part-time of full-time capacity, as well as casual work.

There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of selection onto the Preferred Keeper List.

Maintain physical fitness 

Zoo keeping is physically demanding and applicants need to demonstrate how they maintain their physical fitness.

Zoo keepers generally work eight-hour days and the bulk of the work involved is outside during all weather conditions.

The physical tasks usually include lots of walking (up to 10km a day), raking enclosures, shovelling, using wheelbarrows and repetitive lifting.