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Animal Technician
Technician (Animal) )



Duties and Tasks
Specialisations
Quick Facts
Work Conditions
Personal Requirements
Related Industries
Labour Market
Related Jobs
Earnings
Related Courses
Further Information
State Specific Information

Evaluating progress on female kangaroos carrying joeys
Evaluating progress on female kangaroos carrying joeys


Animal technicians help veterinary, medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and general scientists and students to care for and check on animals used for research, breeding and scientific purposes. 

Fact Sheet

Duties and Tasks

Animal technicians may perform the following tasks:

  • check and record, on a daily basis, the health status and behaviour of animals in their care
  • prepare food and water and care for laboratory, field or zoo animals
  • look after zoo exhibits, holding or breeding areas and equipment
  • assist in return-to-the-wild programs
  • carry out experiments using animals, recording the results under supervision and according to relevant codes of practice, and the organisation's animal experimentation ethics committee
  • take samples of animal body fluids, faeces or tissue for analysis or veterinary inspection
  • inspect and test animals for worm infestation and disease
  • observe animals' reactions to tests
  • make routine calculations and prepare graphs
  • clean and disinfect cages and facilities, and sterilise equipment
  • establish and maintain breeding programs
  • help in fertility testing with sheep, cattle or poultry research
  • assist in the selection and grading of animals for breeding programs
  • help with injections, surgery, dressings and care of animals after operations
  • assist with the production of animal experimentation protocols
  • humanely put animals down and/or handle animals that have died
  • carry out post-mortem examinations on dead animals.

Specialisations

Field Assistant
Zookeeper

Info Icon Quick Facts

Learning Area Biology  
Rural Studies  
Work Demand Including full use of hands/fingers  
Including physical effort  
Including reading or writing  
Work Field Agriculture, Animal and Primary Industries  
Work Interest Analytic or Scientific  
Nature or Recreation  
Skill Level Para Professional Jobs  
Quick Facts

Work Conditions

Animal technicians are usually required to work in shifts and on weekends. Some work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions. Much of their time is spent doing routine tasks such as cleaning exhibits and feeding animals.

Personal Requirements

  • enjoy practical and manual activities
  • interested in animals, their welfare and conservation
  • able to handle animals with confidence and patience
  • able to make accurate observations
  • free from allergies aggravated by animal hair, feathers, fur and dust
  • able to undertake manual and sometimes heavy work.

Related Industries

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (Except Computer System Design and Related Services)
Heritage Activities

Labour Market

Information

Australian JobOutlook for Science Technical Officers

Vacancies

Australian JobSearch for Science Technical Officers (ALL AUSTRALIA)
Australian VolunteerSearch - Animal Welfare for ALL AUSTRALIA
Work Opportunities websites

Related Jobs

Animal Attendant
Dog Trainer
Fish Farm Hand
Livestock Farmer

Earnings


Income of persons working full-time, 2006
Science Technical Officers

Income per Week Number Share (%)
$1000 or more 3,882 34.1
$400 - $599 1,346 11.8
$600 - $799 3,081 27.1
$800 - $999 2,781 24.4
Less than $400 290 2.5


Copyright 2007 education.au

This information is based on the 2006 census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.


Earnings of persons working full-time and part-time, 2006
Science Technical Officers

Employment Status Weekly Income ($)
Full-time 857
Part-time 440


Copyright 2007 education.au

This information is based on the Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership survey conducting annually by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

How Much?

Related Courses

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

Adelaide Zoo
Australia and New Zealand Laboratory Animals Association (ANZLAA)
CSIRO
CSIRO, Division of Livestock Industries
Human Resources Officer, Perth Zoo
Human Resources, Zoos Victoria
Taronga Training Institute, Taronga Zoo

State Specific Information

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Assessing the reptile enclosure
Assessing the reptile enclosure

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