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 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.
Kyabram Fauna Park is not accepting Work Experience placements in 2027.
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 only one student from their school each year.
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.
Applications are now open
Applications for Zoos Victoria’s 2027 Secondary School Work Experience program open on Friday 30 October 2026 and close at 5:00pm Friday 4 December 2026.
Only applications submitted between these dates will be accepted.
Before applying, students should read the information below, prepare the required documents, and ensure you have parent/guardian/school approval.
How to apply
To apply, students must:
Choose one property to complete their work experience placement: Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo or Werribee Open Range Zoo. Please note: Kyabram Fauna Park is not accepting Work Experience placements in 2027.
Prepare a cover letter explaining how they meet the criteria outlined in the Zoos Victoria Work Experience Role Description.
Read the Guidelines for Working with Animals to understand the risks and considerations involved in working with animals.
Complete the Department of Education’s Proposed Work Experience with Animals Form and submit it to their school’s Work Experience Coordinator for consideration.
Submit an online application with the support of their school’s Work Experience Coordinator using the link below. Scroll down the page, past the advertised job vacancies, and you'll find the Victorian Secondary School Work Experience applications.
Students are also welcome to apply using an alternative method if a written application is not accessible or suitable for them. Please email hrhelpdesk@zoo.org.au with your name, the property you are interested in applying to, and an explanation of why a written application is not suitable.
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.
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. Students are also welcome to apply using an alternative method if a written application is not accessible or suitable for them. Please email hrhelpdesk@zoo.org.au with your name, the property you are interested in applying to, and an explanation of why a written application is not suitable.