How do I become a animal shelter attendant
Get qualified to work as a animal shelter attendant with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Animal Shelter Attendant.
Common questions
In Australia, a full time Animal Shelter Attendant generally earns $1,355 per week ($70,460 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
Courses.com.au Team
The number of animal attendants in Australia is expected to increase in the future. There are currently 16,500 animal attendants and many of them are hired in animal shelters. This number is expected to increase to 18,200 over the next five years.
Source: The Labour Market Information Portal – 2019 Occupation Projections
Courses.com.au Team
If you’d like to work as an Animal Shelter Attendant you could start by completing a Certificate III in Animal Studies. This course covers the topics you need to look after animals in your care like health, nutrition and hygiene.
Courses.com.au Team
Further reading
How to start a career in Veterinary Nursing
7th September 2021
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10th November 2023All animal shelter attendant courses
Animal Shelter Attendant careers
An Animal Shelter Attendant helps care for animals that are lost, have been neglected or have been surrendered by their owners. You’ll care for them in a shelter until their owners can be found or until the shelter finds a new family for them. Your duties will include feeding, watering and exercising the animals each day. Animal Shelter Attendants will have to wash and groom animals and keep a close eye on their health. You’ll also have to clean their bedding and enclosures and dispose of any animal waste.
Animal Shelter Attendants need to be very confident with animals and comfortable with a range of animal temperaments. You might have to show potential new animal owners through the shelter so you’ll also need people skills. The role requires some manual labour and you’ll have to be prepared to get your hands dirty. Animal Shelter Attendants work as part of a team so communication skills are also essential.
