School work experience
Where futures in wildlife care begin
Step into the world of zoo keeping, animal care and wildlife conservation through Taronga’s immersive work experience program. Students in Years 10–12 can spend a week alongside expert keepers and conservation teams at either Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo, each offering a unique taster of the animal care industry.
Where futures in wildlife care begin
Step into the world of zoo keeping, animal care and wildlife conservation through Taronga’s immersive work experience program. Students in Years 10–12 can spend a week alongside expert keepers and conservation teams at either Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo, each offering a unique taster of the animal care industry.
What to expect from work experience at the Zoo
During your week at the Zoo, you'll get to experience lots of hands-on tasks including:
Work experience at Taronga Zoo Sydney
All placements for work experience in 2026 are now full.
Applications for 2027 placements open on the first day of Term 4.
There are two steps and forms to complete for the applicant to be considered. Your application must be submitted via email through your careers advisor. Work experience is very competitive, while we do our best to accommodate as many students as possible, submitting an application doesn’t guarantee a placement.
If a student missed out this year and is eligible to apply again, they can also apply on the first day of Term 4.
Frequently asked questions
For work experience at Taronga Zoo Sydney
Work experience at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo
Applications for work experience in 2026 are now closed.
Applications can still be submitted and students will be placed on a waitlist. Please note, a waitlisted student does not equal a placement.
Applications must be submitted by Careers Advisors or School Principals, applications submitted by students will not be accepted.
Placements are reviewed in the order they’re received, and we can only consider applications that are fully completed and signed. Work experience is very competitive, while we do our best to accommodate as many students as possible, submitting an application doesn’t guarantee a placement.
Frequently asked questions
For work experience at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo
Meet a Keeper
If Work Experience is fully booked, you may wish to book a 'Meet a Keeper' experience for your students. This is a one-day program for school students aged 14 years and over who have expressed a keen interest in pursuing a career at the Zoo. Meet Keepers, hear about their career pathways and learn about the variety of pathways to working in a zoo.
Contact us
at Taronga Zoo Sydney
Email
at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Call:
Email
More to explore
Volunteer at Taronga
Learn about volunteering at Taronga, with opportunities to support wildlife care, conservation programs and visitor experiences across both Zoos.
Become a zookeeper
Learn how to become a zookeeper at Taronga, with pathways, training and hands-on experience to build a rewarding career in animal care and conservation.
Take action
Discover practical ways to take action and make choices that help wildlife through Taronga's Community Conservation campaigns. Discover eco-friendly ways to live and support conservation and healthy habitats.