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ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services

Animal Studies

Next intake February 2025
LocationsBallarat
Werribee Princes Campus
East Geelong Campus
Duration Part-time: 1 year

Course description

Do you love the idea of working with animals? Are you looking to undertake further study to develop your career in the animal care industry? This course provides a pathway into a veterinary nursing career or other animal care roles.

You will learn about the daily care of various animals, including cats, dogs, birds, mammals and native wildlife. Your study will include animal health, hygiene and wellbeing, understanding animal behaviour, enrichment programs, handling and transporting animals, and basic first aid. You will also learn to communicate product and service information to the public.

Possible career outcomes

  • Pet shop assistant
  • Kennel or cattery attendant
  • Pet exerciser
  • Grooming assistant
  • Wildlife carer

Wondering if this industry will suit you?

We have created a very short course quiz to help you gain a little more understanding of what is required and whether you might enjoy a role in this industry. Take the quiz here.


Applications & attendance

How to apply

  1. Follow our instructions for how to apply for a course.
  2. Apply online by selecting an intake from the Applications & attendance table below.

If you need help, visit Customer Service or request application support via email.
Submission of an application does not guarantee a place in the course.

IntakeApplicationsAttendanceClassesDuration 
2025 February
Ballarat Open: 1 Aug 2024
Close: 1 Feb 2025 Class DayStart: 3 Feb 2025
Monday 9am to 4pm Tuesday 9am to12pm
  Part-time: 1 year  Apply  
2025 February
Werribee Princes Campus Open: 1 Aug 2024
Close: 1 Feb 2025 Class DayStart: 6 Feb 2025
Thursday 9am to 4pm Friday 9am to12pm
  Part-time: 1 year  Apply  
2025 February
East Geelong Campus Open: 1 Aug 2024
Close: 1 Feb 2025 Class DayStart: 4 Feb 2025
Tuesday 9am to 4pm Wednesday 9am to12pm
  Part-time: 1 year  Apply  
2025 February
East Geelong Campus Open: 1 Aug 2024
Close: 1 Feb 2025 Class DayStart: 6 Feb 2025
Thursday 9am to 4pm Friday 9am to12pm
  Part-time: 1 year  Apply  
2025 February
East Geelong Campus Open: 1 Aug 2024
Close: 1 Feb 2025 Class DayStart: 3 Feb 2025
Monday 9am to 4pm Tuesday 9am to12pm
  Part-time: 1 year  Apply  

 

Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.

Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.

An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course.

Many courses have limited spots and may fill quickly, so apply early and ensure your application is fully completed, as only successful applicants will receive offers, issued as soon as possible. If numbers are low, intakes or courses may be cancelled.

  • Applicants must be 16 years and over at the time of course commencement.
  • Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 11 or Year 12 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3.
  • Any student under the age of 17 must provide an Exemption from School form prior to undertaking the course.

  • You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.

Pre-training review

Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills .

Personal Learning Requirements

There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.

Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.

Selection mode

Core Units Code Hours
Assess the welfare status of an animal ACMGEN303 60
Communicate effectively with clients and team members ACMGEN315 30
Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work ACMINF301 60
Contribute to workplace health and safety processes ACMWHS301 50
Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals ACMBEH301 60
Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces ACMGEN304 40
Provide basic animal first aid ACMGEN309 40
Elective Units Code Hours
Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices ACMSUS401 40
Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing ACMGEN311 50
Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care ACMGEN305 50
Provide enrichment for animals ACMBEH302 40
Provide general care of birds ACMSPE314 40
Provide general care of common native mammals ACMSPE315 40
Provide general care of domestic cats ACMSPE317 40
Provide general care of domestic dogs ACMSPE316 40
Provide general care of mammals ACMSPE320 40
Provide nutritional requirements for animals ACMGEN312 60

 

Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.

Assessment is based on:

  • Hands-on projects
  • Written assignments

This course is eligible for Free TAFE!

Eligible Victorian students who elect to use their Free TAFE opportunity will not incur any tuition fees. Material and resources fees still apply. Follow the link for further information and to check the eligibility criteria.

FeesRateUnitIndicative Course HoursIndicative Tuition Payable by StudentMax. Indicative Government Subsidy Total
Concession Tuition AUD $0.75 per hour 780 AUD $585.00 AUD $8,400.00
Standard Tuition AUD $3.74 per hour 780 AUD $2,917.00 AUD $8,400.00
Full Fee Tuition AUD $14.40 per hour 780 AUD $11,232.00

Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee

Materials AUD $510.00
Resources AUD $340.00
Education Levy AUD $117.00

 

All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.

Which fee will I pay?

Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.

Fee help and student loans

VET Student Loans are available for eligible students for tuition fees ONLY.
The current years maximum VET Student Loan Course Cap is $

Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.

  • ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.

Date published: 18/09/2024 4:00:57 PM
ACM30122-Certificate-III-in-Animal-Care-Services