Zookeeper (ANZSCO 361114)
Updated
What a Zookeeper does
Feeds, provides water for and monitors the health of animals in zoos, aquaria and wildlife parks, cleans, fixes and maintains animal cages, and informs visitors about animals.
- Specialisations
- Aquarist
Key facts
- ANZSCO code
- 361114
- Skill level
- 3Certificate IV, or Certificate III with on-the-job training
- Skilled lists
- Regional Occupation List (ROL)
- Assessing authority
- VETASSESS
- National shortage
- No shortage
Visa options
Occupation eligibility is one requirement; each visa page links to the rest.
Points-tested
- Subclass 189 Skilled IndependentNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 190 Skilled NominatedNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 491, state or territory nominatedVia ROLEligible
- Subclass 491, family sponsoredNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
Employer-sponsored
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand, Core Skills streamNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry streamNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
Main tasks
- 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
Shortage by state
- NationalNo shortage
- ACTNo shortage
- NSWNo shortage
- NTNo shortage
- QLDNo shortage
- SANo shortage
- TASNo shortage
- VICNo shortage
- WANo shortage
State and territory nomination
For the 190 and 491, each state and territory also has its own occupation list.
Common questions
What does a Zookeeper do?
Feeds, provides water for and monitors the health of animals in zoos, aquaria and wildlife parks, cleans, fixes and maintains animal cages, and informs visitors about animals. (ABS ANZSCO description.)
Is Zookeeper on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Zookeeper (ANZSCO 361114) is on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 491 and 494 visas.
What is the ANZSCO code for Zookeeper?
361114. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.
How can a Zookeeper migrate to Australia?
The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Zookeeper for the Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas. Being on a list is one requirement among several; each visa's page links to Home Affairs for the rest.
Who assesses Zookeeper for an Australian visa?
VETASSESS, the skills assessing authority listed for 361114.
Is Zookeeper in demand in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia rated it "No shortage" nationally in its 2025 Occupation Shortage List, with ratings for each state and territory shown above.