OSCA 341131: Dog Handler or Trainer
Teaches dogs to obey commands and undertake specific tasks. This record sits in Animal Trainers and Zookeepers. Related ANZSIC industry links are included for faster classification cross-checking. Skill level 3 is attached to this occupation record.
Should you use OSCA or ANZSCO?
OSCA 2024 is the current Australian occupation classification for storing, organising and reporting occupation information. Use this OSCA record for current Australian statistical and analytical classification work.
Some migration and administrative programs still specify ANZSCO 2022. Check the exact system named by the agency or form rather than replacing the code automatically.
Official ANZSCO correspondence
Role overview
Teaches dogs to obey commands and undertake specific tasks.
Use this page to confirm the official title, the parent unit group, the task list and the related ANZSIC industry context before using the occupation in classification, reporting or migration-adjacent workflows.
Occupation facts
- Skill level
- 3
- Major group
- 3 Technicians and Trades Workers
- Sub-major group
- 34 Skilled Animal, Agricultural and Horticultural Workers
- Minor group
- 341 Animal Trainers and Zookeepers, and Veterinary Nurses
- Unit group
- 3411 Animal Trainers and Zookeepers
Tasks
- Evaluates dogs to assess temperament and suitability for training
- Designs and implements training programs to teach dogs basic obedience commands
- Trains dogs to perform specific tasks such as search and rescue, detection or assistance work
- Uses positive reinforcement techniques to reward desired behaviours and discourage unwanted behaviours
- Conducts training sessions with individual dogs or groups of dogs
- Monitors and evaluates the progress of dogs during training, and adjusts training methods as required
- Provides guidance and support to dog owners on how to continue training at home
- Assists in the selection and placement of trained dogs with appropriate handlers or owners
- Keeps up to date with advancements in dog training techniques and professional development opportunities
Skill level guidance
Skill level helps place the occupation inside the ABS hierarchy. Use it as a classification cue, then check the actual task list and occupational context before making a decision for HR, visa or reporting work.
How to use this occupation page
Start with the official OSCA title and task list. Then confirm the parent unit group and compare the related occupations on this page if the job title is broad, overlapping or used differently across employers.
The ANZSIC links are there to help when the same occupation appears across several industries and you need the business-side classification as well.
Related occupations
Industry context
Alternative titles
No alternative titles are currently attached.
Compare before choosing
Compare OSCA 341131 with related occupations
Compare roles in the same OSCA unit group by their official definition, skill level, tasks and recognised alternative titles.
| Comparison point | Current code341131 Dog Handler or Trainer | 341132 Horse Trainer | 341133 Track Rider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official role definition | Teaches dogs to obey commands and undertake specific tasks. | Educates and prepares horses for riding, breeding, racing, work, show, competitions, or other horse sports and activities. | Exercises thoroughbreds to condition them for racing by riding the horse at varying speeds. |
| Skill level | Skill Level 3 | Skill Level 3 | Skill Level 3 |
| Key tasks |
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| Alternative titles | Not stated | Not stated |
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Comparison uses occupation definitions, skill levels, tasks and title variants from the ABS OSCA data files.
Compliance risk score
4 of 4 factors passing
In this section
Frequently asked questions
What does OSCA 341131 do?
Dog Handler or Trainer is the current ABS occupation record used to describe a specific occupation. It sits in the OSCA hierarchy and carries skill-level context plus related titles and tasks.
How should I read the skill level?
The skill level tells you the educational or training depth that the ABS associates with the occupation. It is a classification signal, not a salary band or a qualification checklist on its own.
Why is industry context shown on an occupation page?
Industry context helps when the title is common or ambiguous. It shows where the occupation is typically employed so you can compare it with the right ANZSIC family.
Source and trust
- Official source
- ABS OSCA 2024 release and correspondence tables
- Last reviewed
- 2026-04-17
This site is an independent reference resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the ABS, ATO or any Australian Government agency.
Please verify critical classification decisions with the official authority before using them for tax, payroll, licensing, immigration or compliance work.