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National code: ACM30122

Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Animal Care)

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Overview About this course

There’s never a dull day when you work with animals. Care for various animals like birds, reptiles, fish, native mammals, invertebrates, rabbits and rodents. Gain the needed experience and skills to work in animal care businesses, including your own.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Care for a range of animal species and provide for their nutritional requirements

  • Identify the anatomy and physiology of animals

  • Prepare and implement animal health programs

  • Monitor and maintain animal health

  • Complete an animal welfare assessment and use low stress and safe handling techniques

  • Provide basic animal first aid

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • A nationally accredited qualification at Certificate III level

  • Experience providing care for a broad range of animal species such as native mammals, fish, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, rabbits and rodents

  • Exposure to safe animal handling practices

  • The ability to recognise different animal behaviours

  • Confidence to promote positive well-being in the workplace

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • This course is offered as a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.

  • Please check your preferred campus location for campus-specific entry requirements.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • A passion for animals and their welfare

  • A patient and calm demeanour

  • A reasonable level of fitness to handle animals and carry out manual lifting

  • Access to a computer or personal device and an internet connection to complete home study

  • Appropriate clothing, which may include covered non-slip shoes, trousers and shirts for your classes. TAFE NSW will provide you with other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is specific to animal care

  • Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 10 high school level

  • TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test.

  • This skills test helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like: animal carer and welfare worker, animal shelter/kennel/cattery worker, animal care receptionist or customer service staff, pet exerciser or minder, pet shop worker and rural and remote community animal health worker.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 1 Course

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 1 Course

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Related study 3 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

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.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Animal Care) qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 17 units of competency, including 7 core and 10 speciality units.

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.

  • Assess the welfare status of an animal ACMGEN303

  • Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces ACMGEN304

  • Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals ACMBEH301

  • Communicate effectively with clients and team members ACMGEN315

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

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

  • Smarthinking - online access to a tutor

  • 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

Delivery options Find a location to enrol

On campus, online and blended study environments; at TAFE NSW your learning works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites, compare courses and discover what works for you.