Kick-start your Career or Volunteer Work - Perth's only Animal Rescue and Welfare Course
Have you ever dreamed of working with animals? Are you looking for an introduction to the animal care industry? Are you a volunteer and want to be able to offer more help and assistance to an animal rescue and welfare organisation? Yes? Then we highly recommend ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies (Rescue and Welfare).
Our intensive 12-week course is based both on-campus at our Bentley training facility and at the Cat Haven in Shenton Park. It is one of the quickest ways to gain this nationally recognised qualification and obtain valuable experience in one of Perth’s leading animal shelters.
What will you learn?
During the course, you will become familiar with the fundamental principles of working in the animal care industry. In addition to the topics covered in the Certificate II in Animal Studies course, you will be introduced to:-
- fundamental principles of working and volunteering in the animal care industry,
- understanding body language in animals,
- low-stress handling,
- enrichment in a shelter and rescue environment including mental stimulation, exercise and feed planning and socialisation,
- increasing an animal’s potential for rehoming,
- animal health and well-being including first aid for animals and much more.
All of the skills and knowledge you will learn can be applied in a shelter and rescue based organisation or across a broad range of animal care facilities.
Your course structure will be as follows:-
- A full day induction at AVT's Campus in Bentley at the start of the course,
- one day per week at the Cat Haven (located in Shenton Park, WA) plus,
- one half-day per week at AVT's Campus in Bentley to receive intensive small group practical training, and
- you will also require approximately 25 hours per week of home-based online eLearning to complete theory and submit assessments.
We will endeavour to meet your preference for practical training / on-site training days but this can not be guaranteed and students are expected to participate in ALL practical training days at AVT and the Cat Haven.
Students must:
- be available to participate in ALL training days (1.5 days per week)
- be physically capable of restraining animals, handling animal feed e.g. large bags of food of up to 10 kg and standing for extended periods of time
- have a reliable internet connection and access to a desktop computer or laptop. You will be required to write, submit and in some cases upload assessments and various types of multi-media files online in your own time, therefore we strongly recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for your studies
- be proficient in speaking and writing in English
- must be at least 18 years of age
- due to the required workload and level of study, have a minimum level of schooling up to and including year 10, with a good understanding of science and maths.
This course is highly competitive and has limited places. Therefore, successful students are selected based on prior work experience, education, individual attitude and aptitude. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by an AVT team member.
Credit transfers
Students with eligible credit transfers may apply, however due to the course delivery format, 100% attendance is required for orientation/induction and practical placement days and therefore full course fees will apply.
You will gain knowledge and skills across a broad range of animal care areas. In particular:-
- fundamental principles of working in the animal care, rescue and welfare industry,
- animal health and well-being including first aid care
- enrichment for animals including mental stimulation, exercise and feed planning, socialisation and exposure to positive experiences
- low stress handling and minimising stress in the rescue or animal care environment
- encouraging natural animal behaviours
- environmental sustainability
- increasing an animal's potential for rehoming
For a full list of units, please visit this page
| Certificate II in Animal Studies | Intensive Delivery |
|---|---|
| Duration | 14 weeks |
| Delivery | Blended learning, 1 day onsite |
| Learning guides | Downloadable |
| Textbooks | Downloadable |
| Excursions | |
| Dedicated student support | |
| One-on-one mentoring by AVT lecturers | |
| Assessments and Certification | |
| Workplace practical insurance cover | |
| AVT practical kit including uniform, name badge and workbook | |
| Total course fees | $3,648* |
| Payable via our monthly payment plan | Initial payment of $1,500 plus 3 x $716 monthly payments |
*Fees, inclusions and payment plan amounts 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.
- an AVT shirt (supplied by AVT)
- steel capped shoes (supplied by student),
- neatly presented, long comfortable work pants suitable for bending and manual work (supplied by student).
Click here to visit our general Certificate II information page and learn more about career opportunities.
Why choose an intensive pathway course for Animal Studies?
- Professionally managed and delivered course - with on-site supervision, complete with tutorials and lectures to help you understand and apply theory with ease
- Qualified lecturers delivering supervised practical training and assessment with a structured study time table to ensure you stay on track and are learning from the best.Â
- This intensive pathway will allow you to meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Nursing – you can gain your qualification in 12 weeks and can then apply for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing to become a qualified veterinary nurse*
- No stress! - This unique format course also means you do not have to worry about finding your own work placement normally required for this national qualification. Your essential practical training and classroom training will take place in a small group setting with other like-minded students.
- This certificate increases your opportunities for employment in the animal care industry and gives recognition towards entry into further studies.
How many students will be in my Cert II in Animal Studies Intensive course class?
This is an intensive course and a majority of the days spent at the Cat Haven will be hands-on working alongside fellow students, as well as practical classroom activities with our qualified teaching team at our Bentley campus. For this reason, it's important we keep the class size small. There will be no more than 12 students in your class.
What are the attendance expectations?
Due to the intensive nature of this course including the volume of study and practical hours required, all students are expected to meet the 100% attendance requirement for the weekly practical training and on-site training days.
What day of the week will the practical training day be held?
You are required to commit to one and a half days of practical training per week during the week.  You will be asked for your preferred days during the enrolment process but please keep in mind due to both class size numbers, interest from all students and availability of resources and space at the individual animal care facilities we can not guarantee your preference.
What happens if I cannot make it to class?
To successfully complete the course, attendance is compulsory on your scheduled on-site/practical training days. However, if you are unwell you will need to contact the lecturer in advance to arrange a time to catch up. Due to the intensive nature of the course, if you are absent for more than 2 practical training days, it is unlikely you will be able to successfully complete this qualification.
Can I apply for credit transfers for previous studies?
Students with eligible credit transfers may apply, however, due to the course delivery format, 100% attendance is required for induction and practical training/on-site days and therefore full course fees will apply.
Is there a prerequisite for this course?
No, there are no prerequisites for this course although you do need to be 18 years of age and follow the entry requirements listed under entry requirements here.
Can this course be completed in another state of Australia?
We are only offering this course in Perth, Western Australia.
Start your application process
The application process for this course is as follows:-
- Step 1Â Apply using our online form. If an application period is not open you can register your details below and we will contact you when applications are open.
- Step 2Â Your application will be reviewed by AVT. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted you for an interview
- Step 3Â Successful applicants will be emailed an offer including payment plan details
- Step 4Â You will be required to activate your payment plan prior to course commencement
See the Important dates below for deadlines including details of the next intake.
Prefer to start in May 2021?
Register your details below and be one of the first to apply for our May 2021 intake. We will send you a notification email as soon as applications are open. To ensure you receive this email, we recommend adding admin@appvoc.com to your address book.
Apply Now!
| Name | |
| ACM20117 - Intensive Course - Rescue and Welfare (February 2021 Intake) |
This course has limited places with high demand. We reserve the right to close course intakes before the advertised close date. We recommend submitting your application as early as possible.
What students from AVT's other courses say ...
Having had no animal learning before, I find this course brilliant with clear concise notes, knowledgeable lecturers and RSPCA staff, and especially having the day at the RSPCA is extremely beneficial. Hands on learning and getting interaction with animals is a great help in learning handling behaviours.
This course has taught me the basic care of animals and about animal health in general. This course allows people to get hands on experience and lecturers to provide practical care to animals. Thus; others with an interest in animals will gain and have a positive outcome to the course, alike to me.
Everyone is super helpful if you need anything explained. Skye conducts classes in a relaxed and friendly environment so I feel comfortable joining in, and she is always willing to explain anything until everything is clarified.
Important Course Dates
| Next Intake | Applications Open | Course Commencement |
|---|---|---|
| February 2021 | Apply Now | Tuesday, 9th February 2021 |
This course has limited places with high demand. We reserve the right to close course intakes before the advertised close date. We recommend submitting your application as early as possible.
*Please note: Completion of this qualification does not guarantee you a place in ACM40418 Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing. Please read our Course Entry page for more information