ANZSCO 361111 · CSOL · STSOL
Dog Handler or Trainer: ANZSCO 361111
Official Home Affairs skilled occupation list · checked 21 October 2026
Dog Handler or Trainer (ANZSCO 361111) is on the CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List) and STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List). It can be used for the 190, 491, 494, 482, 186 and 407 visas, and the skills assessment is done by VETASSESS. Checked against the Home Affairs list on 21 October 2026.
Occupation lists
CSOL, STSOL
Core Skills Occupation List; Short-term Skilled Occupation List
Permanent visa options
190, 186
Visas that give permanent residence
Assessing authority
VETASSESS
Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services
Skill level
Level 3
Certificate IV, or Certificate III with at least 2 years of on-the-job training, or 3 years of relevant experience
The job
What a dog handler or trainer does
Teaches dogs to obey commands and undertake specific tasks.
Unit group 3611
Tasks of Animal Attendants and Trainers
- Teaching animals to obey verbal and non-verbal commands and addressing behavioural problems
- Training animals to accept riders and pull vehicles
- Training animals and conditioning horses to perform in competitions
- Reporting to trainers on horses’ progress and performance
- Bathing, cutting, combing, blow-drying and styling pets' coats, clipping their nails and cleaning their ears
- Inspecting, preparing, cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining comfortable animal cages and enclosures
- Transporting food, filling water troughs and feeding animals according to their individual needs
- Maintaining animal health records, treating minor injuries and reporting serious conditions to Veterinarians
- Exercising and playing with animals, answering visitor questions, and transferring animals between enclosures by leading or carrying them
- Dusting and spraying insecticides on animals and immersing them in insecticide baths, to control insect pests
Qualifications and experience
The occupations Dog Handler or Trainer, Horse Trainer, Zookeeper and Track Rider in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.
In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
The occupations Pet Groomer, Kennel Hand and Animal Attendants and Trainers nec in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.
In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Registration or licensing may be required.
- AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)
- AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4)
Assessing authorities check your duties against these tasks, so your experience must match them, not only the job title.
Visa options
Which visas ANZSCO 361111 can be used for
From the Department of Home Affairs combined list of eligible skilled occupations. Every visa also has its own points, age, English, experience and skills assessment rules.
| Visa | Eligible | ANZSCO version | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | No | — | |
| 190 Skilled Nominated (state) | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | Needs a state or territory nomination |
| 407 Training visa | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | No | — | |
| 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | |
| 491 State Skilled Work Regional, state nominated | Yes | ANZSCO 2013 | Needs a state or territory nomination |
| 491 Family Skilled Work Regional, family sponsored | No | — | |
| 482 Skills in Demand, Core Skills stream | Yes | ANZSCO 2022 | |
| 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry | Yes | ANZSCO 2022 |
Skills assessment
Skills assessment for ANZSCO 361111
Most skilled visas need a positive skills assessment from the authority below before you can lodge. It must be for the same occupation you nominate.
Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS)
We prepare your VETASSESS assessment with you and check that your duties match ANZSCO 361111 before you apply.
States and territories
State and territory nomination
Dog Handler or Trainer is on a list that allows state nomination for the 190 (permanent) and for the 491 (regional, provisional). Each state then decides which occupations it will nominate, and on what conditions.
State lists, points cut-offs and residence or job offer rules change during the program year, and some states close streams once their places are used. Ask us which states are nominating dog handler or trainer now.
Similar occupations
Other occupations in Animal Attendants and Trainers
If your duties fit one of these better, that is the code to nominate.
Questions
ANZSCO 361111: common questions
What is the ANZSCO code for dog handler or trainer?
What does a dog handler or trainer do?
Which skilled occupation list is Dog Handler or Trainer on?
Can I get a 189 visa as a dog handler or trainer?
Is Dog Handler or Trainer eligible for state nomination (190 or 491)?
Can an employer sponsor a dog handler or trainer?
Who assesses dog handler or trainer skills for Australian migration?
Talk to us
Is ANZSCO 361111 your occupation? Ask us about your options.
Tell us your duties, qualifications, experience and English scores. We will confirm the right occupation and the visas that fit.
Source: Department of Home Affairs, checked 21 October 2026. Descriptions: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0). General information only, not immigration advice.
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