Secondary school work experience
Spend a week working behind-the-scenes at a zoo.
Zoos Victoria's Secondary School Work Experience is for students interested in animal care, wildlife and conservation.
Places are available at Kyabram Fauna Park, Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Students leave with a clearer understanding of what working in a zoo really involves and whether it’s something they want to pursue in the future.
Student eligibility
Zoos Victoria accepts applications from any Victorian secondary student aged 15 years and over. Students of all backgrounds and abilities are most welcome to apply.
We are committed to equitable access so the following guidelines are in place:
- Teachers can endorse one student from their school each year, with the exception of Kyabram Fauna Park with accepts multiple students from one school.
- Students can choose one zoo to submit their application to.
Student experience
A five-day, full-time Work Experience program (in all weather) is curated for the student, giving them an opportunity to meet a range of people and participate in a range of tasks across the zoo. Some physical activities may be involved, with assessments and adjustments made to ensure the student can participate safely.
Key dates
Zoos Victoria's 2027 Work Experience program dates:
- Applications open on Monday 3 August 2026
- Applications close on Friday 11 September 2026
- Work experience placements commence from Term 1-4 2027
Applications are received through this page when applications open.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll find answers to common questions below. For more detail, download the full FAQ guide.
No – to keep the process fair, students can apply for one zoo only.
Yes – students must have approval from their school before applying.
Each school campus can endorse one student per year.
The exception is Kyabram Fauna Park, which accepts multiple applications from the same campus.
Students experience a range of roles across the zoo.
This may include time with Zoo Keepers, Visitor Experience, Horticulture, Retail and Education teams, as well as observing how staff care for wildlife as part of conservation programs.
Students do not handle or touch animals.
They may work near animals while supporting tasks such as food preparation and general maintenance, and will observe keepers working behind the scenes.
No – applications are accepted right here, through Zoos Victoria’s website.