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 reflects the skills and knowledge for team leaders, supervisors, and specialist technical roles within an animal care facility, including companion animal and exhibited and wildlife environments.
The qualification applies to a range of roles including coordinators/managers of boarding/day care, breeding or shelter facilities, as well as senior zookeepers, aquarists, and wildlife carers. Individuals in these roles analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of skilled activities and apply specialist technical skills and knowledge to solve routine and non-routine problems. They have accountability for the work of others and for meeting organisational key performance indicators.
The qualification allows for a specialisation in Companion animal or Wildlife and exhibited animal facilities.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
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Financial help
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Government funding is not available for this course.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
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Entry requirements
This course has entry requirements. See more information at the National Training Register
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
6 months – 2 years
- Qualification only:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
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 |
|---|---|
| Advise on animal industry compliance and practices | Core |
| Develop, implement and monitor enrichment strategies for animals | Core |
| Implement and monitor animal welfare programs | Core |
| Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | Core |
| Maintain workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Oversee site biosecurity and infection controls working with animals | Core |
| Administer performance development processes | Elective |
| Analyse and present research information | Elective |
| Apply project life cycle management processes | Elective |
| Apply workplace statistics | Elective |
| Assess the welfare status of an animal | Elective |
| Assist in establishing and maintaining a zoological plantation or plant production system | Elective |
| Assist with the euthanasia of animals | Elective |
| Care for young animals | Elective |
| Carry out advanced grooming to dog breed standards | Elective |
| Carry out animal holding facility procedures | Elective |
| Communicate effectively as a workplace leader | Elective |
| Condition animal behaviour | Elective |
| Conduct animal behavioural assessments | Elective |
| Conduct community awareness programs | Elective |
| Control stock | Elective |
| Coordinate large animal movement and evacuation | Elective |
| Coordinate recruitment and onboarding | Elective |
| Design and evaluate interpretive and learning programs | Elective |
| Design, construct and maintain aquascapes | Elective |
| Develop a large animal incident response plan for an organisation | Elective |
| Develop a plan for the rescue of companion animals during major incidents | Elective |
| Develop and monitor maintenance strategies that contribute to asset life cycle | Elective |
| Develop animal diets | Elective |
| Develop, monitor and review behavioural husbandry strategies | Elective |
| Establish operational strategies and procedures for new business ventures | Elective |
| Groom cats of different breeds and coat types | Elective |
| Groom dogs to meet breed style and coat requirements | Elective |
| Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals | Elective |
| Implant microchip in cats and dogs | Elective |
| Implement customer service strategies | Elective |
| Implement species population planning and management | Elective |
| Lead effective workplace relationships | Elective |
| Lead team effectiveness | Elective |
| Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing | Elective |
| Manage a work area within budget | Elective |
| Manage and maintain avian housing | Elective |
| Manage budgets and financial plans | Elective |
| Manage companion animal breeding | Elective |
| Manage organisational customer service | Elective |
| Market new business ventures | Elective |
| Oversee enclosure or exhibit operations | Elective |
| Perform grooms on cross breed dogs | Elective |
| Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace | Elective |
| Prepare and present tour commentaries or activities | Elective |
| Prepare plans to set up a companion animal evacuation facility | Elective |
| Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care | Elective |
| Provide work skill instruction | Elective |
| Research and develop business plans | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Animal Facility Management sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Boarding Kennel and Cattery Operator
ANZSCO 149911
Boarding Kennel or Cattery Operators manage the operations of establishments which offer temporary boarding for dogs and cats.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Zookeeper
ANZSCO 361114
Zookeepers feed, provide water for and monitor the health of animals in zoos, aquaria and wildlife parks, clean, fix and maintain animal cages, and inform visitors about animals.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV -
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
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Animal Facility Management
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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AUSTRALIA'S TEACHING ZOO (RTO code 46432)
Contact this provider
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GLOBAL TRAINING MASTERS PTY LTD (RTO code 46612)
Contact this provider
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Halo Nation Training Pty Ltd (RTO code 32485)
Contact this provider
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The Pet Industry College (RTO code 70236)
Contact this provider
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.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.