How to become a Conservation Officer

Also called: Environmental Officer

Develops and implements programs and regulations for the protection, restoration and recovery of aquatic life, vegetation, wildlife and other natural assets.

Main tasks

• Evaluates habitat, wildlife and fisheries needs, and formulates short-term and long-term management goals and objectives
• Ensures compliance with laws and regulations to conserve aquatic life, vegetation, wildlife and other natural assets
• Develops, reviews and manages policies, procedures and programs to achieve conservation and protection of natural assets
• Coordinates and manages conservation and rehabilitation projects
• Liaises with relevant rights holders and stakeholders in the development and implementation of conservation activities

Ways in

• University: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 27 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Conservation and Ecosystem Management (AHC40924); Diploma of Environmental Monitoring and Technology (MSS50222); Advanced Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management (AHC60422); Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management (AHC31424); Diploma of Community Group Coordination and Facilitation (AHC51222); Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management (AHC51120)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $101,556 a year
• About 31,500 people work in this job group now, and about 36,800 are projected by 2035. (+16.6%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land and Sea Ranger
• Ecologist
• Park Ranger

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Conservation Officer?

Ways in include: Agriculture & Environment degrees; Certificate IV in Conservation and Ecosystem Management; Diploma of Environmental Monitoring and Technology.

How much does a Conservation Officer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $101,556 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Conservation Officer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 17% by 2035, from about 31,500 to about 36,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Conservation Officer?

Usually. 75% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Conservation Officer?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04