
Visa Sponsorship Zoo Jobs in Australia 2025 – Apply Now
In 2025, Australia’s zoos are increasingly providing visa-sponsored custodian and animal-care positions, particularly under the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 or regional sponsored visa systems. These positions encompass a variety of responsibilities, including animal feeding, habitat maintenance, enrichment activities, and routine husbandry, as well as visitor education, conservation programs, and veterinary assistance.

Details:
Country | Australia |
Job | Zoo Jobs |
Education | Minimum High School Diploma |
Salary | |
Experience | 2-3 Years |
Visa Sponsorship | Yes |
List of Zoo Jobs in Australia:
If you’re seeking out a career at the zoo, here are 11 parts you might consider in your work search:
Instruction officer
- National normal compensation: £26,911 per year
Primary Responsibilities: Instruction officers collaborate with school meals and other guests to enhance their comprehension of the natural world and imprisonment. They have the ability to create and organize data regarding the animals that inhabit the zoo, as well as to conduct seminars, educational programs, and outreach activities for a variety of age groups.
In order to facilitate the preservation efforts of zoos, they may provide guests and school gatherings with exercises and natural life experiences. Managers may seek candidates who possess a degree in biology or natural science, as well as an aptitude for teaching or experience in an educational environment.
Zookeeper
- National normal compensation: £20,572 per year
Primary Responsibilities: Zookeepers are responsible for the daily maintenance of the animals housed within the zoo. They may provide support, cleanse, prepare, and exercise the animals. They monitor their welfare and notify the veterinary division of any concerns. In addition, they may sanitize the enclosures and walls, as well as demonstrate and ensure that the animals are properly cared for. Zookeepers may engage in training with a particular species of animal, such as hoofstock, primates, or reptiles.
Entry-level requirements include a bachelor’s degree in zookeeping, science, zoo technology, or a related field. Additionally, novice zookeepers may contemplate a heightened level of recognition in animal management. Upon completion of an apprenticeship, a small number of zookeepers establish enduring careers.
Volunteer administration coordinator
- National normal compensation: £24,995 per year
Primary Obligations: Volunteer benefit facilitators work with individuals who volunteer to work at the zoo. They ordinarily check in case volunteers have assignments to do, arrange exercises, beware of the preparation, and screen volunteers’ conduct. A few bigger zoos may have 300 or more volunteers working over their locales and the facilitator is capable of overseeing these groups. They may be capable of publicizing, sourcing, meeting, and enlisting distinctive volunteers all through the zoo.
There are no particular prerequisites but a few managers may inquire about a Level 3 capability in volunteer administration, furthermore encounter working with volunteers in a visitor-facing organisation.
Gardener
- National normal compensation: £23,691 per year
Primary Obligations: Horticulturalists at zoos care for the plants and gardens inside the environments of the animal walled-in areas and the landscaped gardens around the more extensive zoo location. They regularly give groundskeeping administrations and arrange upkeep to make a stylishly satisfying plan throughout the zoo. In expansion, horticulturalists may cultivate plants for animals’ diets, such as herbivores who require particular plants for their health.
To discover work as a zoo gardener, it may be valuable to require a Level 2 Cultivation capability. Being able to illustrate good information on plant cultivation and cultivation strategies is additionally exceptionally helpful.
Zoo showcasing supervisor
- National average salary: £38,409 per year
Primary Obligations: Showcasing directors create showcasing and special campaigns to extend the number of guests to the zoo. They may work on ventures to advance the zoo’s instructive program and energize more school bunches to visit the zoo. Raising mindfulness of conservation and education work is another key portion of working as a promoting director at a zoo. Utilizing an extent of promoting devices, promoting supervisors guarantee the brand reflects the values and reasons of the zoo.
Many showcasing supervisors have a bachelor’s degree in promoting, additionally pertinent work involvement in overseeing a showcasing group. They may require extra proficiency in promoting preparation and capabilities for this role.
Biologist
- National normal compensation: £34,558 per year
Primary Obligations: Scholars may too have the working title of zoologist, zoo analyst, or zoological field partner and consider creatures in imprisonment and how they carry on in their characteristic environment. They see the logical ponder of creatures counting their conduct, environment, life structures, and classification. They may work on the determination of modern creatures for the zoo and make vital decisions about creature cultivation, veterinary care, nutrition, natural improvement, and habitat improvement. They may plan to investigate ventures to assist group individuals care for the animals.
Employers may seek candidates with a BSc degree in zoology, science, connected zoology, or creature brain research to work in this field. A few parts may require higher degrees (MSc or PhD).
Presenter
- National normal compensation: £26,819 per year
Primary Obligations: A moderator at a zoo conveys live translation occasions and regular exercises. They give introductions to a live gathering of people for a range of zoo encounters. They may donate talks, and arrange introductions and workshops for children and other zoo guests. Involvement in working with children and showing live on the organization may be a key skill.
Some zoos and creature havens may inquire about past involvement in giving open talks and workshops, at the side of an execution capability or work encounter in a comparable field. An enthusiasm for working with creatures could be a key necessity.
Zoo veterinarian
- National normal compensation: £47,454 per year
Primary Responsibilities: Zoo veterinarians are responsible for the health and welfare of the animals housed at the zoo, and they frequently specialize in a particular species or category of animal. They perform surgery, analyze maladies, regulate medications, evaluate an animal’s health, and manage numerous rehabilitation tasks.
This department of veterinary science offers the opportunity to deal with a few of the world’s most unusual and rare species, which can be energizing. Zoo veterinarians are members of the Regal College of Veterinary Surgeons and complete a five-year veterinarian degree.
Zoo ranger
- National normal compensation: £23,404 per year
Primary Responsibilities: Zoo officers are responsible for developing educational activities for visitors and may collaborate with the communications team to organize collaborative educational initiatives. This section may encompass creature walkthroughs, behind-the-scenes visits, and revelation encounters, as well as exhibiting exercises at off-hours. Zoo officers are enthusiastic about the zoo’s mission to educate the general public.
Zoo officers may be required to possess a zoology degree or a comparable qualification, in addition to extensive knowledge of animal behavior and preservation concerns. A few supervisors may inquire about encounters that occurred in an instructional setting, creature stops, or zoo.
Curator
- National normal compensation: £30,616 per year
Primary Responsibilities: Zookeepers are responsible for organizing and dividing animal habitats to ensure that a variety of species can thrive in their natural habitats. They are responsible for maintaining the exhibits and enclosed areas, ensuring that the animals maintain a healthy diet and live in an environment that is familiar to them.
In order to facilitate the zoo’s efficient operation, they may supervise personnel, including zookeepers, instructive groups, moderators, and volunteers. In order to facilitate a secure connection with animals and to guarantee the animals’ welfare, guardians may establish guidelines for visitors. Studbooks that maintain records for universal breeding programs may be maintained by keepers.
Operations Manager
- National normal compensation: £41,769 per year
Primary Responsibilities: Operations directors are responsible for the management of the zoo and collaborate with office directors and commanders to coordinate and expand operations. Obligations may include overseeing the operations maintenance, zoo permitting and compliance, investigating improved methods of operating the zoo, overseeing the training and mentoring, ensuring the well-being and security of the zoo, and ensuring that crisis management procedures are current.
In addition, the operations supervisor is capable of overseeing the secure administration of the attractions within the zoo or park, as well as staff recruitment, budgeting, and development.
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Benefits:
- Job Security and Stable Income:
Sponsored positions generally provide competitive compensation, with an annual salary ranging from approximately AUD $45,000 to 70,000, contingent upon the zoo and the individual’s level of experience. Roles frequently include: Paid absence (annual, sick, parental) Pension contribution (superannuation) Occasionally, regional zoos offer complimentary on-site lodging. - Healthcare Access (Medicare):
Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system, is accessible to sponsored workers through reciprocal agreements or direct access (provided they are eligible). Additionally, family members who are on the same visa may reap the rewards. - Collaborate with Indigenous Australian Wildlife :
Hands-on experience with kangaroos, koalas, wombats, reptiles, and other iconic species. Participation in public education programs, animal enrichment, conservation, and rescue. - Career and Skills Development:
Numerous sanctuaries provide: Programs for professional development Certifications in animal husbandry Training in wildlife conservation The skills acquired in Australia are frequently acknowledged on a global scale, which enhances one’s employment prospects. - Experiencing Australia’s Regional or Urban Areas:
Zoos are situated in both urban centers (such as Melbourne or Sydney) and rural/regional regions (such as Queensland or NT), providing a variety of lifestyle options. Regional licenses provide additional long-term settlement incentives and PR advantages.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which visa is required?
TSS Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) – medium-term stream, regional or metropolitan employers can sponsor; valid up to 4 years and leads to permanent residency via Subclass 186
Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) – requires 3 years’ experience and a regional employer sponsor; pathway to permanent visas like Subclass 191 or 186
For training roles, Subclass 407 (Training visa) allows limited work tied to a training planWhich occupations are eligible?
Zookeeper (ANZSCO 361114) is on the Regional Occupation List (ROL), requiring a Certificate III plus 2–3 years of experience or relevant VET qualifications .
Roles like animal attendants, wildlife ops, rescuers, and general keepers also feature on skilled or regional listsWhat skills and experience are required?
Zookeeper: at least 2–3 years relevant experience or Certificate III/IV in animal/animal technology .
Subclass 482 often requires 1 year of relevant experience (for medium‑term stream)
English proficiency: Competent level (e.g., IELTS ≥ 6.0) for Subclass 482/494; for Subclass 407, lower (IELTS ~4.5) may suffice