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With people becoming increasingly concerned with conservation and the environment, there’s a growing demand in Australia for wildlife-related careers. Work isn’t just about earning money anymore but finding ways to “give back” to nature and support local ecosystems.
Interested to know the wildlife-related careers available in Australia? Let’s take a look at the most in-demand jobs in this industry.
Wildlife Rehabilitator
A wildlife rehabilitator is a person who works with injured and sick animals to prepare them for releasing them again into the wild after a certain period of time. As a rehabilitator, you’re responsible for identifying wounded, injured or orphaned animals and ensuring that they can resume a healthy life in the wild once recovered.
The entire purpose of wildlife rehabilitation is to give individual animals a second chance either to bolster numbers of a particular species or out of sheer compassion. If you’re considering a role in wildlife rehabilitation but have no idea where to start, then you might want to consider learning online with Get Course.
Wildlife courses not only teach you the basics but also how your actions have knock-on effects on ecosystems and wildlife habitats. You’ll discover the importance of taking regular wildlife censuses and find out more about marine conservation and vegetation surveys to see whether local habitats can support life.
Part of your role will also involve working in the lab. You’ll conduct experiments that shed light on how species might react to changes in the environment.
What about pay? Figures from Indeed suggest that Australian wildlife rehabilitators can earn from $62,700 up to $103,400 for more specialised roles. Managers can make even more than this if they hold senior positions.
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Conservation Scientist and Forester
Conservation scientists and foresters work to maintain rangeland, forests, and parks. It’s their job to ensure that the quality of the natural environment remains, whatever that environment happens to be. This career also puts in place practical measures to ensure the survival and sustainability of ecosystems and develop new techniques and policies to make that happen.
What’s more, it’s a job that provides opportunities in both the office and the field. You can work on the enforcement of regulations, collecting data, ensuring safety precautions are being followed, and repairing damage to trails.
According to Payscale Australia, foresters can earn an average of $70,000 per year. Hourly rates work out at around $22.51. The top ten percent, however, typically earn more than $95,000. The spread between the pay of those with less experience and those with more is low. New entrants can expect to receive just seven percent less than the average, according to the data.
Wildlife Biologist
Wildlife biologists, akin to marine biologists who often hold a Certificate in Marine Studies, focus mainly on land-based ecosystems but also appreciate the interconnectivity with marine environments. They study habitats and the characteristics of the animals who dwell in them, evaluating the impact of human activity on these habitats and devising measures to mitigate harm.
More often than not, wildlife biologists are employed by the Australian government, providing services to planners and other state agencies. However, some wildlife biologists set up independent consulting practices, offering services to a range of clients. Customers include public zoos, conservation charities, and private companies looking to reduce their impact on ecosystems.
One of the most exciting aspects of the role is the fact that you’ll get to take an interdisciplinary approach. Wildlife biologists often work with a range of stakeholders across government, private industry, and the voluntary sector. Wildlife biologists act as the scientific authority, helping guide the decisions of various groups to the benefit of wildlife. This often involves specialized knowledge obtained through reptile courses, enabling biologists to study and protect diverse ecosystems that include reptilian species.
On the research side, the job involves the collection of vast troves of data. Your job often requires going out into the field and setting up instrumentation for the collection of information. The form those data take can vary considerably: everything from measuring the pH of the soil to charting forest coverage.
You’ll also prepare environmental impact reports. These reports attempt to measure the environmental impact of a project along a variety of dimensions. You’ll try to put a monetary value on the cost of a plan to society. You will then relay what you’ve learned to public and private decision-makers, providing them with a better understanding of environmental impact.
The average wildlife biologist's salary in Australia is $64,000, according to Payscale Australia.
Marine Biologist
The role of a marine biologist is a varied one. Marine biologists are essentially research scientists who focus on the interaction between organisms, ecosystems, and humankind in the oceans. Most professional marine biologists have a background in research and have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in biology, marine biology, or a related field.
Marine biologists work in a variety of settings. Their role can be both advisory as well as research-based. Aquariums, for instance, will often buy the consulting services of marine biologists to tell them which species to house together for a thriving ecosystem. Conservation charities and coastal authorities may also hire the services of marine biologists to find out more about the impact of various projects on the local marine environments. Marine biologists, therefore, share their knowledge with people in other industries, helping to achieve optimal outcomes.
Adding marine studies online to your educational journey opens the door to becoming a marine biologist, allowing you to explore the mysteries of marine ecosystems from anywhere, enhancing your research and consultancy skills in this fascinating field.
Is the pay good? The average salary for a marine biologist in Australia is $59,000. Some marine biologists can earn small bonuses for the successful completion of specific projects. The top 10% of marine biologists can earn more than $101,000, with those with substantial experience in the field taking home more than 53% more than the average.
These are just a handful of the many careers you can pursue in the wildlife sector. If you’re interested in starting a job in this industry, studying our online wildlife courses can help you out!
Study zoology online and get a Certificate in Zoology that will provide a unique gateway to understanding animal biology and wildlife conservation, offering a foundational step for those aiming to contribute to wildlife preservation and environmental sustainability in Australia. Supplementing this education with a wildlife photography course can enrich your understanding and ability to document wildlife effectively, bridging the gap between conservation efforts and public awareness.
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