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Secondary school work experience

Zoos Victoria has developed a secondary school work experience program to inspire the next generation of youth to work with wildlife.

Each year, a limited number of students are selected to gain experience at one of Victoria’s four zoos; Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram Fauna Park, Melbourne Zoo or Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Students finish the week with a deeper appreciation of wildlife, the environment we share with them, and how each role within the organisation works towards conservation.

Some key details for applicants: 

  • The program is five full days and in all weather
  • Attendance dates for the successful students will be available over each term
  • There are a range of tasks possible during this program including some physical tasks which require initial observation and assessment to ensure students are able to participate in a way which will maintain workplace safety for all students
  • Applications from secondary students are accepted one year in advance. Please note - Kyabram Fauna Park is the only property currently accepting applications for Terms 3 and 4 2024.

Who is eligible?

Victorian secondary students aged over 15 years are eligible for the program. 

We celebrate diversity and strive to be inclusive in everything we do. Students with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply.

School Careers Coordinators can only endorse one student per school. Please note - Kyabram Fauna Park is the only property that accepts multiple students per school (per term).

Application timelines

Work experience applications for 2024 for all properties are now CLOSED and 2025 applications will open in August 2024.

Only applications submitted between these dates will be accepted.

Please see the role descriptions below for further information.

Only applications submitted between these dates will be accepted.

How to apply

To apply, students must:

  1. Submit a cover letter detailing how they meet the criteria listed in the property Role Descriptions
  2. Read the Guidelines for Working with Animals to ensure you have considered the risks of working with animals
  3. Complete the Department of Education’s Proposed Work Experience with Animals Form and submit it to their school’s Work Experience Coordinator for consideration
  4. Submit their application with the help of the school’s Work Experience Coordinator through the online application process