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National code: ACM30321

Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care

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Overview About this course

Learn to care for animals within exhibited animal care facilities. Positively promote and educate people about conservation and immerse yourself in the exciting world of exotic animals as an exhibited animal carer.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

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

  • Work within an exhibited animal care facility

  • Safely capture, restrain and move animals

  • Maintain animal habitats

  • Assess and monitor animal health

  • Provide enrichment and nutritional requirements for animals

  • Present information to the public

Course outcomes

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

  • Experience in providing animals with the correct nutritional requirements

  • Confidence to speak to the general public about exhibited animals

  • The ability to work within the exhibited animal care industry

  • A strong pathway to continue your study and enhance your career opportunities

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.

  • That you have achieved a Certificate II in Animal Care or higher-level qualification in an animal science discipline as evidenced by a copy of your certificate or transcript

Entry recommendations

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

  • A calm demeanour

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

  • Access to a computer or personal device and internet as it would be beneficial to complete home study

  • The ability to provide your own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may include covered non-slip shoes, full-length trousers, sleeved tops, hat and sunscreen

  • 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:

Zookeeper

Zookeepers feed, provide water for and monitor the health of animals in zoos, aquaria and wildlife parks, clean, fix and maintain animal cages, and inform visitors about animals.

  • Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

    53%

  • Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

    300 workers

  • Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

    31 years

  • Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

    $940

  • Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

    40 hours

  • Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

    Medium

  • Gender share

    61% female

  • Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

    Strong Growth

Other jobs include: Exhibited animal keeper, Pre-trade keeper, Assistant keeper, Animal care attendant, Wildlife animal carer, Wildlife rescue and wildlife conservation, Wildlife presenter, Marine animal attendant, Zookeeper, Native wildlife carer, Wildlife rehabilitator, Animal technical officer and Aquarist

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 0 Courses

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

The Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care does not have any related courses.

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 Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 16 Units of competency, including 12 core and 4 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.

  • Provide enrichment for animals ACMBEH302

  • Work within a zoological facility ACMEXH301

  • Prepare and maintain animal habitats ACMEXH303

  • Assist with capturing, restraining and moving animals ACMEXH304

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

  • 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

Info sessions Want to know more?

There are a total of 2 information sessions planned for this course. They'll take place at different locations across the state.

You can select a study option below to see the sessions available. Or you can view all sessions related to Animal Care and Horse Industry

Study options Find a location to enrol

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