Animal Attendants and Trainers
- Classification
- Unit
- Major group
- Technicians and Trades Workers
Classification
- Major group
- 3Technicians and Trades Workers
- Sub-major group
- 36Skilled Animal, Agricultural and Horticultural Workers
Description
Animal Attendants and Trainers train, exercise, feed, groom, and care for animals.
Skill level
Australia
AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)
New Zealand
NZQF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. The occupations Pet Groomer, Kennel Hand and Animal Attendants and Trainers nec in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4) In New Zealand: NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4) In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.
Tasks
Tasks include
- teaching animals to obey verbal and non-verbal commands and addressing behavioural problems
- training animals to accept riders and pull vehicles
- training animals and conditioning horses to perform in competitions
- reporting to trainers on horses’ progress and performance
- bathing, cutting, combing, blow-drying and styling pets' coats, clipping their nails and cleaning their ears
- inspecting, preparing, cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining comfortable animal cages and enclosures
- transporting food, filling water troughs and feeding animals according to their individual needs
- maintaining animal health records, treating minor injuries and reporting serious conditions to Veterinarians
- exercising and playing with animals, answering visitor questions, and transferring animals between enclosures by leading or carrying them
- dusting and spraying insecticides on animals and immersing them in insecticide baths, to control insect pests
