Work Experience
Each year we welcome a number of high school students, aged 14-17, to participate in the Australia Zoo work experience program. This program is designed as an introduction to Zoo Keeping, encouraging our next generation to embark on their journey towards becoming zoo keepers.
Our Australia Zoo work experience programs include:
- Animal keeping duties within our Birds, Australasia and Africa departments, such as: assisting with habitat maintenance (e.g. raking, sweeping, weeding and scrubbing), animal observations and the preparation of diets and enrichment items
- Educational workshops
- Keeper presentations
Please note, due to a range of operational considerations, participants should not have any expectation of direct animal interaction.
Work experience applicants will be required to participate in an interview and selection process. No placements within the program can be guaranteed until after this interview process has been completed. Any associated travel, accommodation or school commitments should not be made until a confirmation of placement is made by Australia Zoo. Placement on all programs is at the discretion of Australia Zoo.
Please be advised that it is a very popular program and we are not able to accept everyone out of the many applications we receive. With this in mind, if applicants are not accepted for a program, we encourage them to apply for the next intake.
Please refer to placement and application dates below:
The placement dates available for 2025 are:
| Placement Dates From | Placement Dates To | Applications Open | Applications Close |
| Term One | |||
| Monday the 31st of March | Thursday the 3rd of April | Monday the 20th of January | Monday the 17th of February |
| Term Two | |||
| Monday 23rd of June | Thursday the 26th of June | Monday the 21st of April | Monday 19th of May |
| Term Three | |||
| Monday the 15th of September | Thursday the 18th of September | Monday the 7th of July | Monday the 4th of August |
| Term Four | |||
| Monday the 8th of December | Thursday the 11th of December | Monday the 29th of September | Monday the 27th October |
Programs run from 9am-3pm each day
Ready to apply?
All applicants are required to complete all sections of the online work experience application form which will include a picture, your current resume and references. – Online Volunteer Application
Applications cannot be processed unless all information is provided. Once applications close, your application will be reviewed and you will be notified as to whether you have progressed to the next stage, which will include an online interview.
Further information
The following information packs are available to download:
- Participant, parent and guardian information – download here
- Additional information for school coordinators – download here
We look forward to receiving your application. Please contact us if you have any further questions.