Our Australian Wildlife Care Short Course is designed for anyone eager to make a positive impact in the care and welfare of common native mammals.
Whether you’re an aspiring wildlife carer, a veterinary nurse or student wanting to expand your native species knowledge, or a volunteer in zoos, sanctuaries, or wildlife parks, this short course is the perfect starting point.
This course will help you confidently identify and care for common Australian native mammals, promoting their wellbeing and welfare.
Study mode: Online
Online study time: Self-paced (2 months)
Application status: Enrol now
CPD Points: 5 Points
Prerequisite: No qualifications required
This wildlife course is ideal for:
Delivery & Assessments
100% online course: this course lets you learn when and where it suits you, no classroom attendance needed
Easy access: Access your studies anytime through our Online Learning Platform, featuring interactive resources, videos, and online assessments
Assessments: Include online quizzes
Completion Time
Completion time will depend on your individual schedule and study pace.
As a general guide, students who study 1–2 hours per week usually finish in around 2 months.
You’ll have up to 12 months to complete the course, allowing you to study flexibly around work, family, and other commitments.
You’ll complete five chapters covering the principles of identifying and caring for some of Australia’s most common native mammals. On completion you will be expected to be able to:
Accurately identify common native mammal species and understand their basic anatomy
Recognise zoonotic risks and apply safe work practices when handling native wildlife
Apply correct husbandry techniques for monotremes, macropods, koalas, wombats, possums, and bandicoots
Demonstrate an understanding of the feeding and housing requirements for each group
Identify signs of poor health and understand when to escalate for veterinary care or specialist support
Appreciate the role of wildlife carers and facilities in supporting animal welfare and conservation outcomes
This course focuses on Australia’s most iconic mammals, warm-blooded, furry animals that feed their young milk, such as those listed here:
As a graduate, you will go on to apply your new skills in a wide range of wildlife care and rehabilitation roles, often volunteering with local rescue organisations or using your skills in a formal setting such as a veterinary clinic.
On completion, you will receive:
* Published Price: $175, Limited Time Only $125 Fees, inclusions are subject to change. If you decide to withdraw from study for any reason, refunds are not issued. Please see our policies page for full details.
Course fees include:
This short course is non-accredited and doesn’t form part of a nationally recognised qualification.
However, it has been carefully developed by experienced wildlife carers and veterinary professionals to give you practical, up-to-date knowledge in caring for Australia’s native mammals.
This course is a valuable way to explore your passion, build your confidence, and gain meaningful knowledge you can apply in real wildlife care settings.
No work placement is required – this course is 100% online, making it a flexible and accessible option for anyone interested in learning more.
This format allows you to focus on building your knowledge in a way that suits your lifestyle.
This FAQ relates to the following short courses: Horse Care Fundamentals and the Australian Wildlife Care Short Course
AVT has been delivering Vet Nursing and Animal Care related courses for over 25 years. It's safe to say there are no plumbing or hairdressing courses here!
A recent NCVER VET student outcomes report found 92% of AVT graduates were employed or enrolled in further study after training and 92% of graduates would recommend the training provided by AVT.
Our qualified teaching team have many years of experience as well as extensive backgrounds in the veterinary and animal care industry. They're approachable and dedicated to helping students succeed.
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About Equine Vet Nursing
The leader in delivery of Australian Nationally Recognised Qualifications including ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (formerly Animal Studies), ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, ACM40818 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training.
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) delivers a range of qualifications and short courses for students wishing to pursue a career working with animals.
AVT is a Registered Training Organisation based in Perth, Western Australia, providing on-campus and online courses to students studying throughout Australia. More about us →
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land where our campus is based, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and we commit to walking alongside our indigenous brothers and sisters. We extend that respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in our community.
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) is proudly a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 5273).