About this industry
Conservation professionals protect and restore natural treasures — from the rugged Flinders Ranges to South Australia's stunning coastlines. Your workday might involve collecting native seeds in the Adelaide Hills, managing feral species in the Coorong, implementing controlled burns in conservation parks, or restoring damaged environments in partnership with Aboriginal communities whose deep knowledge of Country informs and enriches modern conservation practice. You'll thrive in this career if you enjoy being outdoors, can communicate effectively, and are comfortable working independently in remote areas and collaboratively in teams and respectfully alongside Aboriginal cultures and Traditional Owners.
Where can this take you?
Job titles in this industry
- Environmental/Natural Resource Management Worker
- Conservation Worker - Land Management
- Conservation Worker - Parks and Wildlife
- Conservation Officer
- Park Ranger
- Land Rehabilitation Worker
- National Parks Worker
- Natural Resource Officer
- Environment Worker
- Revegetation Worker
- Pest Control Technician
- Invasive Weeds Officer
- Aboriginal Land Management Officer
Career opportunities
- Senior Conservation Worker
- Community Project Coordinator (Land Care)
- Senior Park Ranger
- Aboriginal Land Management Coordinator
- Regional Conservation Manager
- National Parks/Ranger
- Natural Resource Manager
- Natural Resource Planner
- Land management officer
VET qualifications
Continue your studies with one of the following:
- AHC40924 Certificate IV in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
- AHC51120 Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management
- AHC60422 Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management
University pathway careers
University study in conversation and land management can lead to employment as:
- Project Officer Threatened Species
- Wildlife Management Officer
- Field Ecologist
- Environmental Consultant
- Natural Resources Management Officer
- Conservation Park Ranger
- Biodiversity Monitoring Officer
- Wetland Ecologist
- Fire Management Officer
University degrees
- Bachelor of Science (Biodiversity and Conservation)
- Bachelor of Marine and Wildlife
- Bachelor of Environmental Science
Study VET while you complete the SACE
Qualifications you could earn
Start your career at school through on-the-job training in one of:
- AHC20422 Certificate II in Horticulture
- AHC21024 Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
- AHC30324 Certificate III in Rural and Environmental Pest Management
- AHC31424 Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
- AHC31522 Certificate III in On Country Management
Qualifications you could earn
Start VET study at school through off-the-job training in:
- AHC20422 Certificate II in Horticulture
Industry requirements
Industry specific requirements, including:
- HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
Plus
Customised SACE subjects
Pastoral care – mentoring and monitoring