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Animal Trainer

ANZSCO 361111

An Animal Trainer teaches commands and behaviours to various animals, educates owners on training strategies, and requires patience, skill, and communication.

  • This role has a low level of AI exposure. Core skills such as adaptability, social intelligence, and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.
      • NSW
  • 10,000 people employed in Australia
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).

How do I become a animal trainer

Get qualified to work as a animal trainer with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.

Related career opportunities

Browse occupations related to Animal Trainer.

Common questions

In Australia, a full time Animal Trainer generally earns $1,250 per week ($65,000 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.

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The number of people working in this industry has decreased in recent years. There are currently 4,100 animal attendants in Australia and many are employed as Animal Trainers. Animal Trainers may find work in all regions of Australia.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

Author Image Courses.com.au Team

If a career as an Animal Trainer interests you, consider enrolling in a Certificate IV in Companion Animal Studies. This course covers a range of topics such as training animals and animal care. You’ll learn to work with a range of animals including dogs, cats, birds and mammals.

Author Image Courses.com.au Team

Further reading

How to start a career in Dog Training

26th August 2021

Most popular animal welfare and veterinary courses

12th April 2022

Choosing a security licence course in Australia: A step-by-step guide for jobseekers

10th November 2023

Animal Trainer careers

An Animal Trainer teaches animals to follow commands and show expected behaviours when required. You might be training working dogs, assistance animals, performance pets or security dogs. You may also work with regular pets to improve their behaviour or reduce problematic issues. Animal Trainers educate owners and handlers on appropriate training strategies. You’ll usually work with individual animals but you might also train a group of animal at once.

Animal Trainers should be very patient and be willing to work with a range of behaviours and issues. You should have excellent animal handling skills and a thorough understanding of animal behaviour. Animal Trainers need good observational skills and should be ready for some physical work. It’s important that you are a good problem solver and can communicate well with both animals and people.