Certificate II in Animal Care
ACM20121
Length
6 Months (full time)
2 Years (part time)
Location
Study Mode
Workplace Training & Online Study
On Campus & Online
Certificate II in Animal Care - ACM20121
Course Overview
Course start dates are indicative and are subject to change. Students will receive information from their teacher upon enrolment including a confirmed start date and timetable. If applicable, students will also receive information about a course induction and directions on where to go on the first day.
This course provides students with the skills and knowledge for entry-level positions in various animal care settings, including animal shelters, veterinary clinics, pet grooming services, and wildlife care facilities.
Participants will learn:
- How to assist in the health care of animals
- Animal care hygiene
- How to feed and water animals
- Basic animal first aid
- Workplace health and safety processes
- Communication skills
This course can be delivered as part of GOTAFE’s VET Delivered to School Students (VDSS) program. Students interested in undertaking this course need to enrol through their school.
Skills First subsidised funding is not available for VDSS programs. Contact your school for VDSS Fee information.
Careers & study pathways
Where can this course take me?
This course prepares graduates to care for animals in workplaces such as:
- Animal shelters
- Kennels
- Catteries
- Sanctuaries
- Veterinary clinics
Further study
After graduating, participants might like to undertake further study in the:
Course details
Upcoming dates and times
Choose a location below to learn more about when this course is offered and on which days you’ll need to attend.
Online Campus
(4 commencing soon)
Open From: 28-Jan-2025 - Traineeship - Part time - Various - Workplace Training & Online Study
Workplace Based - Block 6 - Open From: 25-Aug-2025 - Workplace - Part time - Various - Workplace Training & Online Study
Workplace Based - Block 7 - Open From: 06-Oct-2025 - Workplace - Part time - Various - Workplace Training & Online Study
Workplace Based - Block 8 - Open From: 10-Nov-2025 - Workplace - Part time - Various - Workplace Training & Online Study
Wangaratta - Tone Road
(2 commencing soon)
Starts On: 21-Jul-2025 - Full time - Monday & Tuesday - On Campus & Online - Applications Close: 07-Jul-2025
Online & OnCampus - Starts On: 24-Jul-2025 - Part time - Thursday - On Campus & Online - Applications Close: 10-Jul-2025
Study units
Take a look at some of the subjects you’ll be studying when you take this course.
This course requires a total of 12 units: 7 core and 5 elective.
Core units
7 unit(s)
- ACMGEN201 Work in the animal care industry
- ACMGEN202 Complete animal care hygiene routines
- ACMGEN203 Feed and water animals
- ACMGEN204 Assist in health care of animals
- ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
- ACMWHS201 Participate in workplace health and safety processes
- BSBCMM211 Apply communication skills
Elective units
9 unit(s)
- ACMBEH302 Provide enrichment for animals
- ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs
- ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid
- ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members
- ACMSPE316 Provide general care of domestic dogs
- ACMSPE317 Provide general care of domestic cats
- ACMVET202 Carry out daily practice routines
- ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
- BSBOPS203 Deliver a service to customers
Attendance & commitment
General public face-to-face delivery | 6 months course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend on campus two days per week, Monday and Tuesday (6 hours).
- Spend approximately 10-15 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
- Complete 40 hours of placement, as outlined in the placement details below.
General public blended delivery | 1-year course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend practical workshops on campus four days in total (two days per semester), six hours per day.
- Attend weekly webinars (Thursdays).
- Spend approximately 10-14 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
- Complete 40 hours of placement, as outlined in the placement details below.
Traineeship/School-Based Apprenticeship Traineeship online delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Spend approximately 1-2 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend monthly regular virtual catch-ups with their trainer, timing is arranged directly with the trainer.
- Meet with their trainer at the student's place of work at least 4 times per year.
- Remain employed within the industry for the duration of their course.
- Consolidate their learning in their workplace.
VDSS blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend an initial face-to-face induction & course introduction day at the Wangaratta Tone Road Campus.
- Attend up to six practical workshops at the Wangaratta Tone Road Campus.
- Attend weekly webinars (a minimum of 80% attendance is required at webinars and practical workshops).
- Spend approximately 5-8 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Complete 40 hours of placement, as outlined in the placement details below.
Workplace online delivery | 2-year course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
- Attend regular virtual catch-ups with their trainer, timing is arranged directly with the trainer.
- Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
- Remain employed within the industry for the duration of their course.
- Consolidate their learning in their workplace.
CSU Veterinary Technology blended delivery | 6 months course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend weekly lectures.
- Attend 18 hours of practical training and skills assessment on campus at GOTAFE's Wangaratta Tone Road Campus and CSU Wagga Campus. This is undertaken as an intensive school within a calendar week.
- Spend approximately 10 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision, and completion of assessments.
Placement
- Placement is organised by the student. Students finding locating practical placement providers difficult may seek assistance from their trainer.
- A practical placement agreement is entered into between GOTAFE, the student, and the host provider and is signed prior to the commencement of placement.
- GOTAFE has incorporated a 40-hour practical placement which can be completed in one or more animal care workplaces over the duration of the course.
- Placement can be structured around workplace requirements and personal commitments. Individual daily hours (start and finish time) will vary, depending on the host's requirements.
- Placement hours are recorded in their practical placement booklet, this is to be signed by the Enterprise Supervisor.
- Students may need to travel to placement (at their own cost).
- GOTAFE uniform/PPE is required to be worn during placement.
- In situations where assessment tasks are unable to be completed in their workplace, students have the option to gain their practical experience and assessments in either the GOTAFE clinic or enter into a practical workplace agreement with another clinic that can provide the resources and opportunities required.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include:
- Knowledge questions
- Projects
- Simulated demonstrations
Before you begin
Entry requirements
GOTAFE entry requirements
Before being accepted into this course applicants must:
- Complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to ensure the required literacy & numeracy levels for the course are met.
- Undertake a Pre-training Review by interview to ensure the course suits their needs and aspirations, and that they are likely to complete the course successfully.
- Be over 15 years of age at the time the course commences.
- Prospective Traineeship or Apprenticeship students are required to apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider with their employer to organise their apprenticeship contract before applying for this course.
- Prospective VDSS students are required to apply through their School's VET Coordinator or Careers Advisor.
- Workplace-based applicants are required to have a minimum of 15 hours of paid employment in an approved vet clinic.
- Vet Tech: Bachelor of Veterinary Technology students will have their suitability determined by CSU - a minimum ATAR of 70 is required.
Placement requirements
- General public and VDSS cohorts are required to complete 40 hours of practical placement, which can be completed in one or more animal care facilities over the duration of the course.
- This placement is organised by the student and a practical placement agreement is entered into between the student, GOTAFE, and the placement host.
Inherent requirements
- Working in this industry may involve shift work and working weekends.
- It involves handling a variety of animals which requires a reasonable level of fitness and stamina.
- It is recommended to have a current Tetanus immunisation before commencing this course.
Student resources
Students must have:
- A laptop/computer with internet access, including access to YouTube.
- Access to a digital camera or video camera for visual and audio assessment tasks.
- General stationery (pens, pencils, rulers).
Enrolment
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
Skills recognition / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
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.
Fees and payments
Fees and costs
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.
Please note that the fees on this webpage, for this particular course:
- are correct at the time of publishing for those enrolling in 2025 and may change without notice.
- will be discussed with applications as part of the application process to ensure it is understood what is being paid for and which fee rates they may be eligible for.
Course Fees consist of three different components:
- Student Tuition Fee - covers the costs of training and assessment. These fees vary across courses and are calculated based on a rate per nominal hour enrolled in. The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Circumstances may include:
- an individual’s eligibility for Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- an individual’s eligibility for concession rates on Victorian (Skills First) and Commonwealth government-funded training
- ineligible individuals who are required to pay the full fees for tuition and other costs.
- Material Fee - where applicable, cover the costs of classroom consumables, handouts and booklets, e-Learning resources and associated license access fees and excursions.
- Student Services Fee (SSF) – contributes to the provision of student engagement, learning and support services. SSF is a non-refundable annual fee that does not apply to short-course participants.
Additionally, some courses require students to purchase or supply textbooks, kits, tools, uniforms and personal protection equipment. Some specific materials may be purchased through the GOTAFE Bookshop. A full list with associated costs will be provided to you at your course information session, induction session, or during the pre-training review interview.
GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your fees.
Learn more about fees, charges, refunds and payment options
Student support
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.
Learning support
A free and confidential service to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful at TAFE. Improve your english language, maths and/or writing skills; enhance your computer, exam and study skills.
Learn more about our learning support services
Library
Our library team are passionate about supporting students to achieve their study goals. They have subject guides, referencing help, and online resources to assist you with you assessments.
Find how to reach out to our library in Shepparton
Jobs and study options
Our Skills and Jobs Centres can assist and talk through options for courses, careers, assistance with job applications and more.
Reach out to our Skills and Jobs Centres
Contingent Study Arrangements
Where a situation arises that prevents campus attendance (such as COVID restrictions, natural disasters, etc.) and it is deemed an appropriate response in protecting the health and safety of staff, students, and visitors, this course will adapt to alternative training arrangements, possibly using online methods of teaching and/or communication while students engage from home with their Trainers. Any required practical components of the course will be moved to a more appropriate time.
Whether you need support with time management, your mental health, grief and loss, a diagnosed disability, financial hardship, or any other challenge life throws your way, we are here to help.
Support for personal issues
We have a dedicated team to ensure students have the help they need with personal issues impacting studies such as homelessness, family problems & setting up payment plans.
Find out how the Student Experience Team can help you
Disability support
Get access to the supports and adjustments you need for your disability or medical condition to be successful in your studies.
Seek support from our Equitable Learning Advisors
Counselling services
We offer free counselling services to help you work through life's challenges including grief and loss, mental health or relationships.
Learn about our Student Wellbeing Advisors
Koorie Unit
The Koorie Unit is a culturally safe space on our Shepparton Fryers Street Campus for all Koorie students enrolled and studying through GOTAFE, or with one of our education partnering organisations.
Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.
Further information is provided at course induction.
This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
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