Certificate II in Animal Studies

Training package entry requirements

There are no mandated training package entry requirements.

GOTAFE preferred entry requirements

Before being accepted into the course applicants must:

• Undertake a Pre-training Review to document previous work experience and qualifications and assess suitability for the course
• Complete a Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA) test to ensure the required language, literacy and numeracy levels are met for the course (excluding VETiS Students)
• Please apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider with your employer to organise your apprenticeship/traineeship contract prior to applying for this course. (Trainees only)
• Attend an interview (excluding VETDSS Students)
• Must be 16 years and over

It is also desirable that all applicants:

• Have at least an intermediate level of digital literacy to undertake the online component of the course, as well as access to a computer with internet access including YouTube
• Have physical stamina to safely handle a variety of animals
• It is recommended that all successful applicants be immunised against tetanus.

Victorian & Tasmanian VETDSS students will have their suitability determined by their school.

Bachelor of Veterinary Technology students will have their suitability determined by CSU - a minimum ATAR of 70 is required.

Assessment methods may include:

• Written assignments
• In class and/or online discussion forums
• Short answer questions
• Animal recognition photographs
• Practical skills demonstration
• Oral assessment – this may be conducted face to face or via skype/phone/zoom
• Third Party reports

Material fees are dependent on the enrolment type and cover all online and on-campus learning resources and consumables.

The following are recommended texts which are not covered by material fees, they may be borrowed from the library or purchased online. GOTAFE may have a limited number available for purchase. Please note these books are not compulsory.

• Hotston-Moore, P. & Hughes, A., BSAVA Manual of Practical Animal Care, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, 2007 ISBN: 978-1-4051-3795-9
• Dallas, S. E., & Jewell, S., Animal Biology and Care, ed 3, Wiley-Blackwell, 2014 ISBN : 978-1-118-27606-8

Stationery Requirements:

• Notebooks
• Pens
• Colour highlighters
• Sticky labels

IT requirements include the following access to:

• a computer with reliable internet
• YouTube for viewing training videos
• Adobe for viewing PDF files
• Microsoft Office
• A printer and scanner

Skye Rhodes-Mitchell

It is important that students commit to all course requirements, including study and assessments the student may need to complete outside their normal training sessions.

You must commit to attending all on-campus classes/workshops and work placement requirements.

All students are expected to:

• Complete online study by logging onto the online campus at least twice a week to complete self-paced learning activities
• Attend the weekly webinars, these are recorded and uploaded to the online campus so students who miss the live webinar are able to view the webinar

Workplace-Based Students:

• Will be required to have their supervisor sign off specific tasks within the workplace
• Trainers will attend the workplace 4 times annually to conduct training and assessment - students must be available to meet their trainer at the agreed time and date

Victorian & Tasmanian VETDSS students:

• Victorian students attend the Wangaratta Regional Study Centre for 1-day workshop each school holiday; April, July and September.
• Tasmanian students attend the Wangaratta Regional Study Centre for a 4-day residential program held in March.
• All VETDSS students must complete 40 hours of structured workplace learning in an animal care facility.

B. Veterinary Technology students:

• Must attend the ASC180 residential school at the Wangaratta Regional Study Centre in line with their residential schools program timetabled by CSU.
• Must complete 80 hours of work placement

If you need any further clarification of the information provided please contact one of our client service officers on 1300 468 233 who can assist you or submit an enquiry through our website now and one of the team will be in touch.

As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.

As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you will be welcome to access a variety of non-academic support services from the Student Welfare Unit. These services are designed to best support you to successfully complete your course.

Services include on campus supports and remote supports

• Counselling
• employment information
• careers
• activities etc.

Learn more about support services

Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.

Further information is provided at course induction.

Please note: Eligible individuals who wish to access a government subsidised place, must participate in a Pre-training Review. This will consider your:

• Aspirations/career goals
• Educational attainment and capability
• Literacy and numeracy skills
• Suitability for Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer

Enrolment in general public entry courses will require a selection interview. Please call 1300 468 233 to enquire further.

Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.

You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:

• Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.