What is the minimum wage for a zookeeper?

Most zookeepers are covered by the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020. The minimum hourly rate for a Level 1 animal attendant (the typical entry classification) is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time employee. An introductory rate of $25.74 per hour applies for the first six months. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. Higher classifications (Level 2, 3, 4) attract higher rates. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of these amounts.

Do zookeepers get paid more than the award minimum?

Yes, many zookeepers earn above the award minimum. Employers may pay higher rates through enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or because the role requires skills at a higher classification (e.g., Level 2 or 3). The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median earnings specifically for zookeepers (ANZSCO 361114), so no reliable survey average is available. However, the broader occupation group 'Animal Attendants and Trainers' may have higher typical earnings. Always check your award classification and any applicable agreement.

How is super calculated for a zookeeper's salary?

Superannuation is calculated on top of your ordinary time earnings. For a full-time zookeeper earning the award minimum of $1,004.90 per week, the employer must contribute an additional 12% ($120.59) into your super fund. This super is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra payment. For casuals, the super guarantee applies to the ordinary hours worked (including the casual loading). The super guarantee rate is legislated and may increase in future years.

Zookeeper Salary: Award Minimums and the National Pay Floor

The legal minimum for a zookeeper covered by the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) for a Level 1 animal attendant, with higher rates for higher classifications.

Understanding the Zookeeper Salary

If you are researching the zookeeper salary in Australia, the first thing to know is that most zookeepers are covered by the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020. This award sets the legal minimum pay for animal attendants, including zookeepers, and is enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission, acts as a backstop – no award rate can fall below $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for an adult employee (from 1 July 2026).

The Award Minimum for Zookeepers

Under the Animal Care Award, zookeepers are typically classified as Animal Attendants at Level 1, 2, 3, or 4 depending on experience and duties. The minimum rates from 1 July 2026 are:

Introductory level (first 6 months): $25.74 per hour / $978.10 per week
Level 1: $26.44 per hour / $1,004.90 per week
Level 2: $28.24 per hour / $1,073.10 per week
Level 3: $29.45 per hour / $1,119.10 per week
Level 4: $32.13 per hour / $1,221.10 per week

Most entry-level zookeepers start at Level 1. If you work casual, add a 25% loading – that gives $33.05 per hour for Level 1. Remember, superannuation of 12% is paid on top of these rates, not deducted from them.

Survey Averages vs Legal Minimums

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish median weekly earnings for the specific occupation of zookeeper (ANZSCO 361114). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for zookeepers shows employment data but no median pay figure. This means we cannot give a reliable survey average for a zookeeper salary. The only solid numbers are the award minimums. Some zookeepers may earn more under enterprise agreements or individual contracts, but those amounts are not publicly aggregated.

How the Weekly Packet Breaks Down

Let’s look at the weekly packet for a full-time zookeeper on the Level 1 minimum. Gross pay is $1,004.90. From that, tax is withheld by your employer based on the tax-free threshold and your earnings. For a single person with no other income, the estimated tax on this weekly amount is around $110 (using 2026-27 rates). Medicare levy of 2% applies once annual earnings exceed $30,000, adding about $20 per week. So net pay might be around $875 per week. On top of that, your employer pays $120.59 into your super fund – that’s not part of your take-home but builds your retirement savings.

If you are award-free (rare for zookeepers), the national minimum wage applies: $26.44 per hour, with junior rates for under-21s. But almost all zookeepers are covered by the award, so the award rates are the ones to use.

Negotiated Salaries and Enterprise Agreements

Some zoos and wildlife parks have enterprise agreements that set higher rates than the award. These agreements are registered with the Fair Work Commission and must pass the better-off overall test. If you work under such an agreement, your zookeeper salary will be at least as high as the award, often with additional benefits. Always check your employment contract or agreement to see which rate applies.

Key Points to Remember

The legal minimum for a zookeeper is the award rate for your classification, not the national minimum wage (though they are the same at Level 1).
Super is paid on top of your salary – 12% from 1 July 2026.
Casual employees get a 25% loading but no paid leave.
Junior, apprentice, and supported wage rates can be lower – see the award for details.
For more on how minimum wages work, see Which minimum wage applies and How the figures work.

Where to Find More Information

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides the official award text and pay calculator. The Fair Work Commission publishes the Modern Awards Pay Database with all current rates. The ABS Labour Force Survey gives employment data for animal attendants. Use these sources to verify your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

(FAQs are listed in the structured data above.)

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.