More than a third of education staff positions at Zoos Victoria could be eliminated under a proposed restructure, sparking urgent warnings from unions that the quality and volume of school visits to the state's zoos and sanctuaries will be seriously undermined. The cuts — part of a broader proposal affecting up to 70 full-time roles across the organisation's 950-strong workforce — are currently the subject of staff consultation, with a final decision expected by 25 August.
What the Proposed Zoos Victoria Cuts Would Mean for Educators
The most contested element of the restructure involves a 38 per cent reduction in education staff at Melbourne Zoo — a drop from approximately 6.2 full-time equivalent positions to 3.8. These staff play a central role in guiding students and community groups through wildlife and conservation programs.
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the United Workers Union say around 600 staff — close to two-thirds of Zoos Victoria's total workforce — have already responded to the proposed changes through formal consultation channels.
CPSU state secretary Jiselle Hanna said the cuts would have a direct and damaging impact on the roughly 150,000 students who visit Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Kyabram Fauna Park each year.
"Staff are telling us that they will not be able to maintain the volume of visits or the standard of education for young learners if these cuts go ahead," Hanna said. She also questioned the financial logic of targeting a division that generates significant income. "If this restructure is genuinely being driven by financial pressures, then why would cuts be made to an entity that brings in millions of dollars annually through school visits?"
Hanna described the affected workers as highly skilled professionals with decades of experience, warning their loss would affect visitor safety and experience as well as educational outcomes.
Conservation and Wildlife Roles Also Under Scrutiny
Beyond the education cuts, concerns have been raised about the potential flow-on effects for conservation and wildlife rescue work. Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell called on Zoos Victoria to be more transparent about what the restructure would mean for programs operating behind the scenes.
"With bird flu ravaging our state and our volunteer wildlife carers under enormous strain, we simply can't afford to lose any of the dedicated Zoos Victoria teams whose job it is to respond to injured wildlife and protect threatened species," Purcell said.
She said it was insufficient for the organisation to simply assert that frontline services would be unaffected without clarifying what would happen to the conservation and wildlife rescue work that supports them.
Zoos Victoria has maintained that frontline and animal care roles will not be directly affected by the changes, and a spokesperson said the organisation remained committed to being "a world-class wildlife destination" with an ongoing focus on fighting wildlife extinction.
Financial Pressures Behind the Restructure
Documents obtained under freedom of information laws revealed that former Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes signed an advance application for a "letter of comfort" to Zoos Victoria on 27 June 2025. Such letters provide assurances to creditors, lenders and suppliers that the government will support an organisation financially if needed — a signal of the pressure the body is under.
Zoos Victoria recorded a net operating deficit of $5.6 million in the 2024–25 financial year, after operating expenses climbed to $137 million — a $9.3 million increase on the previous year.
The two unions have urgently called on Zoos Victoria's executive to scale back the proposed cuts, arguing leadership is "out of touch with the realities of the zoo and the work that zoo staff undertake." They warn that remaining staff will be burdened with additional responsibilities as the organisation attempts to absorb the changes.
What Happens Next
Zoos Victoria says it is carefully considering the feedback received through the consultation process before announcing a final decision later this month. The outcome will be closely watched by education advocates, conservation groups and the broader community of supporters who have rallied around Zoos Victoria's education and wildlife programs — programs that have long formed a cornerstone of environmental awareness for Victorian students.
