
Turn your love for animals into practical animal care skills. You’ll learn the basics to get started in the industry. Work as an animal attendant in boarding kennels, pet shops, grooming businesses and animal welfare organisations.
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
care for a range of animals
support animal health checks and routines
follow hygiene and infection control procedures
handle animals safely
work safely and effectively in a team.
Learn core skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.
A nationally accredited Certificate II qualification.
A strong understanding of how to follow diet plans for a range of animals.
Techniques to safely handle and restrain animals and provide enriching environments.
Experience completing observation checklists and carrying out routine health and hygiene checks.
Strong pathways to continue your studies and improve your job opportunities.
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol.
You’ll need access to an animal care facility. This may be available on a TAFE NSW campus, depending on where you study. Check your preferred campus for any additional entry requirements.
You must be employed as a trainee in the industry.
Your Apprenticeship Connect Australia Provider (ACAP) must submit your Training Proposal Plan (TPP).
Visit our apprenticeships and traineeships page for more information.
During your study you'll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
a passion for animals and their wellbeing
enough fitness to handle animals and do some lifting
the ability to follow simple written instructions
the ability to complete tasks safely under supervision
access to a computer or device with internet access for home study
suitable clothing, including non-slip enclosed shoes, trousers and shirts for class. TAFE NSW provides personal protective equipment (PPE) for animal care.
You can read everyday texts and find important information.
You can write short sentences or lists to share information.
You can do everyday maths like working out prices or reading a timetable.
You can ask and answer questions in a simple conversation.
You can turn on a digital device and follow simple steps.
We tailor our courses to meet local community needs, so some campuses may have extra entry requirements. Check your preferred location for details. Need help preparing? Contact us for support.
This simple tool guides you to a suitable course level based on your foundation skills and confidence.
Our graduates go onto roles like: animal attendant, animal carer and pet shop attendant.
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
The Certificate II in Animal Care does not have any pre-requisite courses.
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
Learn core skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.
The Certificate II in Animal Care does not have any related courses.
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate II in Animal Care qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 12 units of competency, including 7 core and 5 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs - be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning - an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations - get social with our student community
There are a total of 4 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.
You can view all sessions related to Animal Care and Horse Industry.