Certificate III in Animal Care Services
ACM30122
Length
1 Year (full time)
2 Years (part time)
Location
Study Mode
On Campus & Online
Workplace Training & Online Study
Certificate III in Animal Care Services - ACM30122
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 will provide in-depth training and practical experience, preparing students for a range of specialised roles in various animal care settings, including veterinary clinics, animal shelters, boarding facilities, pet grooming salons, and other animal related businesses.
This qualification focuses on animal health care and first aid, animal behaviour and training techniques, animal nutrition and hygiene, identifying animal behaviours and using safe handling techniques, following infection control policies and communicating effectively with clients and colleagues.
The qualification allows for specialisation in Pet Grooming. The grooming specialisation focuses on skills like bathing, drying, brushing, and styling different coat types, as well as understanding animal behaviour and communication, creating a safe and positive grooming experience for clients and pets.
Careers & study pathways
Where can this course take me?
Roles graduates may be eligible for include:
- Animal Attendant (Veterinary Clinic)
- Animal Attendant (Animal Shelter)
- Assistant Dog Trainer (Assistant/Therapy)
- Animal Management (Ranger)
- Pet Shop Worker
- Dog Handler
- Assistant Animal Groomer
Further study
After graduating, participants might like to undertake further study in ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
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)
Dog Grooming - Open From: 28-Jan-2025 - Traineeship - Part time - Various - Workplace Training & Online Study
Open From: 28-Jan-2025 - Traineeship - 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
(4 commencing soon)
Dog Grooming - Open From: 16-Feb-2026 - Traineeship - Part time - Various - Workplace Training & Online Study
Open From: 16-Feb-2026 - Traineeship - Part time - Various - On Campus, Online and Workplace
Open From: 16-Feb-2026 - Workplace - Part time - Various - On Campus, Online and Workplace
Starts On: 11-Feb-2026 - Full time - Wednesday - 10.00am - 12.00pm - On Campus & Online - Applications Close: 11-Feb-2026
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 17 units: 7 core and 10 elective.
Core units
7 unit(s)
- ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals
- ACMGEN303 Assess the welfare status of an animal
- ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces
- ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid
- ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members
- ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work
- ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
Elective units
15 unit(s)
- ACMBEH302 Provide enrichment for animals
- ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs
- ACMGEN305 Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care
- ACMGEN311 Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing
- ACMGEN312 Provide nutritional requirements for animals
- ACMGEN314 Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work
- ACMGRM201 Bath, dry and brush domestic dogs
- ACMGRM303 Provide sanitary and hygiene grooms for companion animals
- ACMGRM304 Perform grooms on cross breed dogs
- ACMGRM305 Groom dogs to meet breed style and coat requirements
- ACMGRM403 Enhance companion animal coat and skin condition
- ACMSPE316 Provide general care of domestic dogs
- ACMSPE317 Provide general care of domestic cats
- ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
- BSBOPS304 Deliver and monitor a service to customers
Attendance & commitment
Traineeship blended delivery | 2 year course length | Part-time study load
Grooming specialisation
Students are expected to:
- Spend approximately 7 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
- Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
- Consolidate learning in their workplace.
- Remain employed within the Industry for the duration of their course.
- Access support, as required.
Workplace blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Spend approximately 6 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
- 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.
- Attend monthly evening (3hrs) practical workshops on campus (18 in total) (optional).
- Access support, as required.
- Be employed for a minimum of 15 hours a week. Students are required to supply their Employer's ABN on enrolment.
Traineeship blended delivery | 2 years course length | Part-time study load
General stream
Students are expected to:
- Attend monthly evening (3hrs) practical workshops on campus (18 in total).
- Spend approximately 7 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
- Attend monthly virtual catch ups with their trainer, timing are arranged directly with the trainer.
- Meet with their trainer at their place of work at least 4 times per year.
- Consolidate learning in their workplace.
- Remain employed within the Industry for the duration of their course.
- Access support, as required
General public blended delivery | 1 years course length | Full-time study load
Students are expected to:
- Attend webinar for 2 hours , weekly on Wednesday.
- Attend on-campus practical workshops and practical assessments held up to 4 times a year and will go for 4 days each (Monday-Thursday) (16 days in total).
- Spend approximately 13 hours per week working through their course materials, research, revision and completion of assessments.
- Attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled classes.
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 signed prior to the commencement of placement.
- Students must complete 80 hours of practical placement (Students who have completed the ACM20121 with GOTAFE are only be required to complete 40 hours of placement).
- Placement can be structured around workplace requirements and personal commitments.
- Individual daily hours (start and finish time) will vary, depending on the host requirements.
- 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 animal care service facility which can provide the resources and opportunities required.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods may include:
- Knowledge questions
- Portfolios
- Simulated demonstrations
- Roleplays
- Projects
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.
- Attend an induction (face to face, via teams or phone).
- 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.
- Workplace students must provide their Employer's ABN during the enrolment process.
To enrol in the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, applicants are required to demonstrate a foundational knowledge of animal care. This can be evidenced through various forms of experience, including:
- Previous employment or practical placement in an animal care facility.
- Ownership and care of animals.
- Experience with handling animals in a personal or professional capacity.
These requirements ensure that students possess the necessary background to succeed in the course and fully engage with the curriculum.
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 on a daily basis.
- It is recommended to have a current Tetanus immunisation before commencing this course.
Student resources
Students must have:
- Laptop/Computer with internet access.
- Access to digital camera or video camera for visual and audio assessment tasks.
- General stationary (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.
2025 fees are displayed and are subject to change.
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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