Our zookeepers are responsible for delivering high standards of animal care, supporting our breeding programs and conducting animal training and animal welfare practices for all our animals both at Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.
Our zookeepers are responsible for delivering high standards of animal care, supporting our breeding programs and conducting animal training and animal welfare practices for all our animals both at Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.
The journey to becoming a zookeeper may be more challenging than you think, so here are some tips to get you on your way towards a very rewarding career.
Whether paid or unpaid, gaining hands-on experience with animals is one of the most important prerequisites to becoming a zookeeper.
You can build valuable skills by working or volunteering at places such as veterinary clinics, wildlife parks, the RSPCA, animal welfare organisations, dog training facilities, wildlife rescue groups, kennels, breeders or animal grooming businesses.
You can start your pathway by completing an ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care and an ACM30321 Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care through a Registered Training Organisation such as Taronga’s own Training Institute (RTO Code 91359).
Because zookeepers regularly present information to visitors, developing skills in public speaking or presentations is also highly recommended.
At Taronga, we offer a Volunteer Keeper Program that provides real, hands-on experience working alongside our keepers.
As a student of the Taronga Training Institute, you are placed as an intern keeper at Taronga Zoo to complete the required practical component of the course.
Volunteer zookeepers can find themselves performing a huge number of activities during their volunteering including:
Rain, hail or shine, volunteer zookeepers get involved with every aspect of animal care, so expect to be cleaning, chopping, wheelbarrowing, shovelling, raking, and anything else it takes to ensure our animals are provided with the highest level of welfare possible.
Explore current volunteer vacancies or lodge an expression of interest to stay in the loop for future opportunities.
For any further enquires about becoming a zookeeper, please email us.
Discover practical ways to take action and make choices that help wildlife through Taronga's Community Conservation campaigns. Discover eco-friendly ways to live and support conservation and healthy habitats.
Explore school programs, Zoomobile incursions, tertiary courses, teacher resources, work experience and immersive wildlife education experiences across Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo for students, teachers and lifelong learners.
Discover Youth at Taronga (YATZ), a program for teens to learn new skills, connect with others and explore careers in wildlife and conservation.
