Certificate II in Animal Care

ACM20121

This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.

Overview

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for entry level and support roles in the animal care and management industry, where workers provide care for animals in workplaces such as animal shelters, boarding/day care facilities, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics. The work activities are routine, performed under supervision and within clearly defined guidelines.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.

  • Financial help

    • Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:

      • Career Start (general)
      • Career Start (traineeship)

      *To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.

      Check your eligibility

  • Cost

    Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.

    • VET Student Loans are not available
    • You may need to pay for equipment or materials.

    To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.

  • On-the-job training

    • Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.

    This traineeship is available:

    • Assistant Animal Attendant

  • Entry requirements

    This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.

  • Duration

    You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.

    • Through traineeship:
      1 year
    • Qualification only:
      6 months – 1 year

  • Delivery options

    You may be able to access this training in these ways:

    • Workplace-based
    • Some classroom learning
    • Part-time available
    • Partially online
    • Practical learning

Course content

This course is made up of units.

All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.

For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.

Unit Unit type
Apply communication skills Core
Assist in health care of animals Core
Complete animal care hygiene routines Core
Feed and water animals Core
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices Core
Participate in workplace health and safety processes Core
Work in the animal care industry Core
Assist with surgery preparation Elective
Assist with veterinary nursing reception duties Elective
Bath, dry and brush domestic dogs Elective
Carry out daily practice routines Elective
Deliver a service to customers Elective
Handle companion animals safely and follow infection control guidelines Elective
Prepare and present information to the public Elective
Prepare to work safely around horses Elective
Provide basic animal first aid Elective
Provide enrichment for animals Elective
Provide First Aid Elective
Provide general care of amphibians Elective
Provide general care of birds Elective
Provide general care of common native mammals Elective
Provide general care of domestic cats Elective
Provide general care of domestic dogs Elective
Provide general care of fish Elective
Provide general care of invertebrates Elective
Provide general care of mammals Elective
Provide general care of non-venomous reptiles Elective
Provide general care of rodents or rabbits Elective
Provide reception services for an animal care facility Elective
Source and provide information for animal care needs Elective

Job prospects

The Certificate II in Animal Care sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.

  • Kennel Hand

    ANZSCO 361115

    Kennel Hands provide routine care for dogs, including feeding, exercising, monitoring their health, and cleaning kennels.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Other Animal Attendant and Trainer

    ANZSCO 361199

    Other Animal Attendants and Trainers includes jobs like Crutching Contractor, and Muleser.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate II or III

  • Veterinary Nurse

    ANZSCO 361311

    Veterinary Nurses care for animals under treatment and in temporary residence at veterinary facilities and assist Veterinarians to perform procedures and operations.

    Recommended education level:
    Certificate III or IV

Training providers delivering Certificate II in Animal Care

It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.

Showing: 35 providers

How to enrol in this course

To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.

When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.

The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.

Delivery locations can change as students enrol. If you're doing any workplace-based training, like an apprenticeship, this will take place in a different location from your classroom training. Contact your training provider to confirm delivery locations.
Government funding may be available. Contact your training provider to confirm.
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