A wildlife rescuer at Australia Zoo has successfully challenged her job classification, winning a dispute at the Fair Work Commission (FWC) that will see her reclassified to a higher pay grade. Erica Henning, who joined the conservation park in 2023, argued that the specialist demands of her role required a higher skill level than her initial grade two classification recognized.
In her position, Ms. Henning responds to reports of injured native animals, operates rescue vehicles, captures and transports wildlife, and administers sedatives when necessary before returning animals to the zoo's hospital. She also manages controlled medications and trains new rescuers, often working with limited supervision during emergencies.
Attempts to resolve the classification dispute internally failed before it reached the commission, as Australia Zoo and Ms. Henning could not agree on a revised position description. During the FWC hearing, Ms. Henning contended that her duties aligned with a grade three classification, citing tasks such as training new staff, sedating animals, and working independently in the field.
Evidence presented to the commission indicated that Ms. Henning had trained a new rescuer on handling various species, including kangaroos, wallabies, possums, gliders, bandicoots, and flying foxes. A key point of contention was whether her role involved ordinary "animal care" or the higher-level "specialised animal care" as outlined in the relevant award.
Australia Zoo argued that specialist work was typically reserved for senior rescuers, classified as grade three, who handle higher-risk animals like emus, marine mammals, and venomous snakes. However, Ms. Henning testified that new rescuers were required to observe multiple demonstrations before handling certain species independently. Toby Millyard, Australia Zoo's Native Animals and Wildlife Rescue curator, acknowledged during cross-examination that Ms. Henning assisted in training newer staff and agreed that "any animal can be classified as dangerous if you do not know what you are doing."
The commission also heard that Ms. Henning routinely used blowpipes to sedate injured animals and handled controlled drugs, requiring her to calculate dosages based on an animal's weight. Australia Zoo general manager Luke Reavley argued that many animals Ms. Henning handled were routinely transported to the wildlife hospital by volunteers and members of the public without formal training. These animals included wedge-tailed eagles, lace monitors, sea turtles, flying foxes, echidnas, carpet pythons, and koalas.
Deputy President Nicholas Lake rejected the comparison between trained wildlife rescuers and the public, stating he had "some hesitancy accepting what seemed to be the suggestion that most members of the public are able to do what the rescuers do, in for example, restraining and transporting, an adult kangaroo."
Deputy President Lake ruled in favor of Ms. Henning, finding her role more appropriately classified as grade three under the Amusement Events and Recreation Award 2020. This reclassification results in a pay increase of 89 cents per hour. "I consider that (Ms Henning's) role involves specialised care," Deputy President Lake stated, adding that interpreting and applying drug dosage instructions for sedation involves complexity. He determined that the role required specialized training and demonstrated competency in handling specific animals, using equipment like blowpipes, and administering sedatives, all of which indicated a specialist level of care.
Deputy President Lake observed that the award "does not neatly apply to wildlife rescue roles" due to the wide range of industries it covers. Australia Zoo was founded by wildlife icon Steve Irwin, who died in 2006. His widow, Terri Irwin, and their children, Bindi and Robert, now manage the Sunshine Coast tourist attraction.