Kennel Hand – ANZSCO 361115

Kennel Hand (ANZSCO 361115) is a skill level 4 occupation assessed by VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services) for Australian skilled migration. It is on the ROL list and can be used for subclass 494.

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Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 361115
Skill level: 4 – Certificate II or III, or at least 1 year of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: VETASSESS
Occupation lists: ROL
English test for skills assessment: Not required
ANZSCO unit group: 3611 Animal Attendants and Trainers

Kennel Hand job description and duties

Provides routine care for dogs, including feeding, exercising, monitoring their health and cleaning kennels.

Tasks include

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

Education and skill level

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 Australia: 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) In New Zealand: NZQF Level 4 qualification, or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) 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 Australia: AQF Certificate II or III, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4) In New Zealand: NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4) 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.

What the assessing authority expects: VETASSESS Group D: minimum AQF Certificate III.

Visa options for Kennel Hand

Eligible means the occupation is on a list the visa accepts. You still need to meet every other requirement.

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream: Not eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Not eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 407 Training visa: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for Kennel Hand

This occupation is not on the federal lists for the 190 or 491 visas, so no state or territory can nominate it. Employer-sponsored visas may still apply.

Skills assessment for Kennel Hand

VETASSESS checks two things: that your qualification is at the right Australian (AQF) level and in a relevant field, and that you have enough relevant work experience at the right skill level. You need a positive result on both.

The process

Pick the right occupation: Match your duties to the occupation description and check its VETASSESS group.
Prepare documents: Qualifications, transcripts, employment references, payslips and ID as high-quality colour scans.
Apply online: Create a VETASSESS account, upload documents and pay. You can change occupation free within 10 days of payment.
Assessment: An officer reviews your file and may ask for more documents (you get 28 days to respond).
Outcome: Download your outcome letter and use it for your EOI and visa.

What you need for this occupation

Kennel Hand is a VETASSESS Group D occupation. You need a qualification at AQF Certificate III level and must meet one of these pathways in full:

Pathway 1: AQF Certificate IV or higher in a highly relevant field + 1 year of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 2: AQF Certificate IV or higher in a field that is not highly relevant + 2 years of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 3: AQF Certificate III in a highly relevant field + 3 years of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 4: AQF Certificate IV or higher in any field + 4 years of employment at the right skill level, including 1 year of highly relevant employment in the last 5 years

Employment must be paid, 20 or more hours a week and at the right skill level. Official VETASSESS page for Kennel Hand.

Documents checklist

Passport bio page
Degree certificates and full academic transcripts
Employment reference letters on company letterhead (duties, dates, hours, salary)
Payslips, tax or bank records for each job
CV/résumé
English translations of non-English documents

Key facts

Fee (full assessment): AUD 1,146 from outside Australia (no GST); AUD 1,260.60 in Australia
Priority processing: + AUD 863 (outside Australia) / AUD 949.30 (in Australia); about 10 business days
Outcome valid for: 3 years from the issue date
Work hours that count: 20 hours or more per week
Validity for visas: Home Affairs generally accepts an assessment for 3 years unless the letter says otherwise

English language requirement

For the VETASSESS skills assessment

No English test required. No English test is needed for the VETASSESS skills assessment. VETASSESS checks your qualification and employment; your English is tested later, for the visa.

For the visa (189, 190 and 491)

Separately, the visa needs at least Competent English. Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

IELTS (Academic or General): Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0
PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
OET: Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330

Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points in the points test.

Related occupations in unit group 3611

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Kennel Hand?

The ANZSCO code for Kennel Hand is 361115. It is a skill level 4 occupation.

Who assesses Kennel Hand for Australian migration?

Kennel Hand is assessed by VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services). You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a Kennel Hand apply for?

Kennel Hand is on the ROL list, so it can be used for: 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Do I need an English test for the Kennel Hand skills assessment?

No. No English test is needed for the VETASSESS skills assessment. VETASSESS checks your qualification and employment; your English is tested later, for the visa.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0), Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, VETASSESS and state and territory nomination pages. Checked November 2026. General information only, not migration advice. Search all ANZSCO occupations.