Animal Attendant

RSPCA NT; Darwin; On-site; AUD 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

RSPCA NT in Darwin is seeking a casual Animal Attendant to care for shelter animals and support daily operations. The role offers potential transition to part-time work and involves hands-on animal care, customer service and maintaining a welcoming environment for the public.

Key duties include cleaning kennels, feeding, basic medications, maintaining records and monitoring animal health and behaviour, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and welfare.

Qualifications

• Must be prepared for repetitive, labour-intensive tasks.
• Prepared to work in challenging environmental conditions.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail and adaptability.
• Genuine commitment to animal welfare.

Responsibilities

• Teamwork and collaboration with the wider RSPCA NT team to support daily shelter operations.
• Animal Care and Welfare: clean, feed, administer medications where authorised, provide enrichment.
• Task Management and Accountability: complete duties thoroughly and efficiently.
• Record Keeping: maintain up-to-date medical and general animal records daily.
• Health and Behaviour Monitoring: monitor animal health and behaviour and report concerns.
• Policies and Procedures: follow workplace health and safety and animal welfare standards.
• Adoption Support: assist adopters and help identify suitable homes.
• General Shelter Operations: assist with linen washing, cleaning and maintenance.

Job description

The RSPCA is Australia’s leading animal welfare organisation, with a proud history of advocating for animals, protecting their welfare and delivering meaningful, lasting outcomes. As an incorporated association in the Northern Territory and a member of RSPCA Australia, RSPCA NT is committed to upholding these values while responding to the unique animal welfare challenges of our region.

Despite being the smallest RSPCA society in Australia, RSPCA NT continues to achieve outstanding outcomes for animals, demonstrating that the impact of an organisation is measured not by its size, but by its dedication, resilience and results. Supported by strong community partnerships and a passionate commitment to animal welfare, RSPCA NT plays a vital role in creating a safer, kinder future for animals across the Northern Territory.

The Role

The Animal Attendant position is offered on a casual basis, with the potential to transition to part-time employment. This hands-on role is primarily responsible for ensuring the health, welfare and daily care of animals within the RSPCA NT shelter, while delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining a professional, welcoming environment for the public.

Key responsibilities include all aspects of animal husbandry, such as cleaning and maintaining animal kennels, feeding, basic medication and treatment administration, maintaining accurate records and monitoring animal health and behaviour. Animal Attendants also play an important role in supporting the adoption process, assisting prospective adopters and providing professional, compassionate service to members of the community.

This is a physically demanding and highly practical role that requires resilience, initiative and a genuine commitment to animal welfare. Candidates must be prepared to undertake repetitive, labour-intensive tasks, work in challenging environmental conditions and get hands-on with the daily responsibilities of shelter operations. A strong work ethic, attention to detail, adaptability and the ability to work effectively as part of a team are essential to succeeding in this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Teamwork and Collaboration: Work collaboratively with the wider RSPCA NT team, including veterinary staff, fellow Animal Attendants and management. Proactively identify opportunities to support colleagues and contribute to the smooth daily operation of the shelter.
• Animal Care and Welfare: Provide a high standard of care to all shelter animals, including cleaning, feeding, administering medications where authorised, implementing prescribed treatments, and providing appropriate training and enrichment.
• Task Management and Accountability: Complete all duties within allocated areas thoroughly, efficiently and professionally, ensuring work is checked upon completion and meets established standards.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date medical and general animal records daily, ensuring all relevant information is documented appropriately.
• Health and Behaviour Monitoring: Monitor animal health, wellbeing and behaviour, promptly reporting any concerns, changes or potential risks to the appropriate team member.
• Policies and Procedures: Understand, follow and consistently uphold all organisational policies, procedures, workplace health and safety requirements, and animal welfare standards.
• Adoption Support: Assist in facilitating suitable adoption matches by supporting prospective adopters and helping identify appropriate homes for shelter animals.
• Positive Workplace Culture: Contribute to a positive, respectful and engaging environment for staff, volunteers and the wider team, supporting effective communication and collaboration.
• Administrative Support: Assist with administrative duties, including reception and customer service.
• General Shelter Operations: Undertake additional duties as directed, including linen washing, general cleaning, minor property maintenance and other tasks necessary to maintain a safe, clean and well-functioning shelter.