This is a 2026 step-by-step pathway guide for a Zookeeper migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 361114. 361114 is on CSOL with state nomination availability — full skilled visa stack: Subclass 189 Independent (where listed), Subclass 190 State-Nominated, Subclass 491 Regional Provisional → 191 PR, Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494 Regional Employer → 191, and Subclass 482 Core Skills → 186 TRT.
For the cost / timeline view see the 361114 cost & timeline case study. For VETASSESS document details see the skills assessment guide.
Step 1 — Confirm 361114 is the right code
ANZSCO 361114 covers zookeeper / wildlife keeper work in zoological / wildlife park / aquarium settings:
- Large carnivores — African lion, Sumatran tiger, snow leopard, jaguar, cheetah, leopard, fishing cat; husbandry, training (operant conditioning), enrichment.
- Primates — gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan, gibbon, langur, lemur, marmoset, tamarin, capuchin, baboon, mandrill.
- Elephants — Asian and African elephant husbandry (Protected Contact method), positive reinforcement training, foot care, baths, enrichment.
- Hoofstock — giraffe, zebra, antelope, deer, bovid, equid, camelid.
- Pachyderms / megafauna — rhinoceros (white, black, Indian), hippopotamus, tapir.
- Marine mammals — pinniped (Australian sea lion, Australian fur seal, New Zealand fur seal), cetacean (where housed — bottlenose dolphin, beluga); training, presentation, husbandry.
- Australian native fauna — koala, kangaroo, wallaby, wombat, possum, Tasmanian devil, platypus, echidna, dingo, quoll, bilby, numbat, glider.
- Birds — raptors (wedge-tailed eagle, white-bellied sea eagle, falcons), waterfowl, parrots (cockatoos, lorikeets, parakeets), penguins (little / fairy / king / gentoo), ratites (emu, ostrich, cassowary), passerines.
- Reptiles and amphibians — crocodilians (saltwater croc, freshwater croc, alligator), snakes (venomous and non-venomous), monitors, geckos, dragons, tortoises, frogs.
- Aquarium / marine — shark, ray, fish (reef / pelagic), octopus, jellyfish, marine invertebrates, coral husbandry.
- Conservation breeding — Species Survival Plans, ZAA / EAZA Australasian Species Management Program (ASMP); Bushy / endangered species reintroduction.
- Enrichment programs — environmental enrichment design, food puzzles, training as enrichment, sensory enrichment.
- Public engagement / education — keeper talks, encounter programs, school visits, behind-the-scenes tours.
- Veterinary support — assistance with vet procedures, medication administration, restraint, weighing.
- Record keeping — ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System), studbook management, ARKS data entry, behavioural observation.
Use ANZSCO search to verify the code-fit. If your work is primarily veterinary clinical care, look at veterinary nursing pathway; pet retail / dog handling is a different occupation.
Step 2 — VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS (vetassess.com.au) — Cert III+ in Captive Animals / Diploma in Captive Animal Management + 1 year highly relevant employment in the last 5 years.
Standard turnaround 12-16 weeks.
Step 3 — English
EOI lodgement requires Competent English. For points-tested visas, target Proficient (10 pts) or Superior (20 pts).
Step 4 — Choose a visa pathway
Subclass 189 / 190 / 491
189 if 361114 is on MLTSSL — confirm at EOI. 190 / 491 are realistic — regional zoos / wildlife parks particularly favoured.
Subclass 186 / 494 / 482
Main 361114 employers:
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia — Taronga Zoo Sydney + Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo (regional NSW).
- Zoos Victoria — Melbourne Zoo (Parkville), Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary.
- Zoos South Australia — Adelaide Zoo + Monarto Safari Park.
- Perth Zoo — Perth Zoological Gardens.
- Australia Zoo (Sunshine Coast) — Steve Irwin's family-operated zoo / Wildlife Warriors.
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (Gold Coast) — National Trust Queensland.
- Wild Life Sydney Zoo / Sea Life Sydney / Sea Life Melbourne / Sea Life Mooloolaba — Merlin Entertainments.
- Sydney Zoo (Bungarribee) — Western Sydney's new zoo.
- Symbio Wildlife Park (Helensburgh NSW) — south of Sydney.
- Featherdale Wildlife Park (Western Sydney) — Aspro Parks.
- Mogo Wildlife Park (NSW South Coast) — independent zoo (Chad Staples).
- Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary (Tasmania) — Tasmanian native focus.
- Tasmania Zoo, Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary — Tas devil conservation work.
- Reptile parks — Australian Reptile Park (Somersby NSW), Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (Brisbane).
- Specialty parks — Crocosaurus Cove Darwin, Cairns Wildlife Dome, Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, Snake Ranch.
- Aquarium operators — Sea Life Aquariums (Sydney, Melbourne, Mooloolaba), AQWA Perth, Reef HQ Townsville, AAT Aquarium.
Step 5 — Score / Step 6 — Submit
Use points calculator. Lodge via SkillSelect.
Tools
Authoritative sources
- Home Affairs
- VETASSESS
- Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA)
- World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)
- Office of MARA
Next step
Want to map your zookeeper profile against 189 vs 190 vs 491 vs 186 vs 494 vs 482? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.