At Birdsville / Petsville, we’re proud to support the next generation of animal lovers by offering school work experience placements for students in Years 9 to 12. This program is ideal for those considering a future in animal-related industries, including zookeeping, animal care, animal welfare, veterinary services, vet nursing, boarding facilities, as well as retail, sales and customer service.
As a small, locally owned business, we provide a hands-on and supportive environment where students can gain real insight into both animal care and the day-to-day operations of a specialised retail setting focused on birds, reptiles and small animals.
How Do I Apply for School Work Experience at Birdsville / Petsville?
If you are interested in completing your work experience with us, please speak with your school’s careers adviser. They will liaise directly with Birdsville / Petsville via phone at (02) 9669 1766 or email at info@birdsville.net.au to organise your placement.
Placement length is flexible and can be arranged to suit your school’s requirements, though placements run Monday to Friday only, as we’re not able to offer work experience on weekends. Please note that placements also depend on our current availability, so your school’s careers adviser will need to contact us in advance to confirm whether we’re able to fit you in.
On your first day, please bring along any work placement or insurance paperwork provided by your school, ready for our team to sign.
You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get a feel for the team and what a placement with us looks like.
What You’ll Gain
Work experience with Birdsville / Petsville gives students the opportunity to:
- Experience a unique, hands-on environment working with birds, reptiles and small animals in a retail setting
- Observe a variety of roles across animal care, animal welfare, retail and customer service
- Undertake supervised tasks suited to your skill level and confidence
- Ask questions and learn more about animals and potential career pathways
- Develop practical skills in animal handling, workplace communication and customer service
- Explore future training, study and employment opportunities within the animal industry
What Should I Wear?
Please wear enclosed, closed-toe shoes at all times, for safety around our animals and enclosures. High heels, shorts and tracksuit pants aren’t suitable for the work involved. Smart casual clothing works best, and keep in mind your clothes may get a little dirty, since placements involve animal husbandry, cleaning enclosures, and general retail tasks like merchandising and store cleaning.
What to Expect
Students will be involved in a wide range of daily tasks, from exciting animal interactions to essential behind-the-scenes responsibilities. Duties may include:
- Cleaning and maintaining enclosures, workspaces and store areas (including everything from windows and displays to animal habitats)
- Preparing and distributing food for a variety of birds, reptiles and small animals
- Observing and recording animal behaviour
- Assisting customers and supporting sales activities
- General administrative and organisational tasks
- Stock control and inventory management
- Safe, supervised animal handling
At Birdsville / Petsville, we believe every task plays an important role in maintaining a high standard of care for our animals and a welcoming experience for our customers. Students who complete school work experience with us gain a realistic and rewarding insight into the animal industry while becoming part of our close-knit, supportive team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year levels can apply for work experience at Birdsville / Petsville?
We accept school work experience placements for students in Years 9 to 12. This program suits anyone considering a future in animal-related industries, from animal care, animal welfare and vet nursing through to zookeeping, boarding facilities, retail and customer service.
How do I apply for school work experience?
Work experience placements are arranged through your school rather than directly by students. Please speak with your school’s careers adviser, who will contact Birdsville / Petsville by phone on (02) 9669 1766 or email info@birdsville.net.au to organise the details of your placement.
What animals will I get to work with during my placement?
Students get hands-on exposure to birds, reptiles and small animals, reflecting the full range of species Birdsville / Petsville specialises in. All tasks are supervised, and suited to your confidence and skill level, so there’s no need to have prior animal handling experience.
What tasks will I do during my work experience placement?
Expect a genuine mix of animal care and retail tasks, including cleaning enclosures, preparing food, observing animal behaviour, assisting customers and general store duties. It’s designed to give a realistic look at working in the animal industry, not just observation.
Finished your placement and want to stay involved? Visit our Careers page to see how you can join the Birdsville / Petsville team on a casual or part-time basis.
