Our nationally recognised ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies is a pre-vocational qualification aimed as an entry point in the animal care and management industry. On completion you can choose to start your career in the animal care industry or move on to a higher level qualification.
What you will learn
Throughout the course you will complete 12 units of study covering a broad range of topics relating to the principles of working in the animal care industry. You will become competent in:-
- Following and implementing animal feeding plans
- Carrying out animal care hygiene routines
- Assisting with the health assessment of animals
- Administering basic animal first aid techniques
- Safely and correctly handling and restraining animals
- Identifying and interpreting animal behaviour
- Accurately completing animal care records

Who is this course ideal for?
This is the perfect entry level course if you have:-
- little or no prior knowledge or experience in the animal care industry,
- a genuine interest in the welfare and care of animals.
How will you study?
You can choose! Our ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies is offered via three study options. All courses combine easy to understand theory with a practical placement in the animal care industry.
- Online eLearning course - studied throughout Australia offering a more flexible approach to learning with a flexible start date and up to one year to complete.
- Intensive Animal Care & Welfare course - studied at Perth's leading animal rehoming and kennel facilities including the Cat Haven and Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) over 14 weeks.
- Intensive Veterinary Nursing Pathway course - studied in our AVT Simulated Veterinary facility over 10 weeks.
- Intensive Zoo & Wildlife Care course - studied at Ranger Red's Zoo and Wildlife Park in Pinjarra over 14 weeks.
How will you gain hands-on experience with animals?
To gain the valuable practical skills required to successfully complete this course and start a career in the animal care industry, you will be required to complete workplace based training (Work Placement). If you are studying our online course option, you will spend time in an approved animal care organisation of your choice. If you are studying our intensive option your work placement is pre-organised and included in the course.
Ideal work placement facilities include kennels, catteries, doggy day care centres, animal welfare shelters, pet shops (with animals), wildlife rehabilitation centres or zoos. For more information visit Course Delivery Overview and Practical Work Placements in Animal Studies
Dedicated Animal Care College
AVT has been training Animal Care and Vet Nursing students for over 20 years. It's safe to say there are no plumbing or hairdressing courses here!
Prerequisite for Vet Nursing
ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies is a prerequisite for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Completing our Animal Studies course is the best pathway to becoming a Qualified Vet Nurse.
Safe and Supported Learning
Our qualified teaching team have many years of experience as well as extensive backgrounds in the veterinary and animal care industry. They are approachable and dedicated to helping students succeed.
Course Delivery Overview
ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies is offered via Online eLearning and as an Intensive Animal Care course with practical training at the Cat Haven in Shenton Park and Greyhounds as Pets in Southern River WA or an Intensive Veterinary Nursing Pathway at an AVT Simulated Veterinary Training Facility. and an Intensive Zoo & Wildlife Care course with practical training at Ranger Red's Zoo & Conservation Park.
The supported online eLearning program gives you access to all learning materials and units via our online learning system, as well as presentation materials from lectures delivered on campus at the time. You will not be required to attend lectures.
You will be required to study several units at a time, working through the learning material, supplemented with the required textbook and recommended references. Assessments and assignments are all submitted via our online learning system. Support is available to you via phone, email or Skype. Our training centre is open during both the school terms and most school holidays.
Our online eLearning option is a self-paced course, allowing you to study at a pace that suits your lifestyle. As a guide, in order to complete this course within 1 year, you will need to complete workplace training plus between 10-15 hours of online study per week.
You will have up to one year to successfully complete all of your training and assessments.
Non-compulsory, practical workshops and assessment sessions are offered throughout the year at our Bentley campus.
Your course content will be delivered online. You are not required to attend classes. You will have:-
- access to our online elearning centre.
- access to our qualified educators via phone, email or Skype. Our education team is made up of experienced and working veterinary nurses, veterinarians and animal scientists who have hands-on experience in a range of veterinary hospitals and animal related organisations and businesses.
- support from our student support team.
In addition to completing your online theory, you are required to participate in practical training at an approved animal care business or organisation. Training can consist of paid and unpaid employment or unpaid work experience. The number of hours depends on how quickly you can complete your workplace assessments and competencies.
Who organises your work placement?
You are ultimately responsible for finding and securing your work placement position. This means you have the flexibility to select a workplace that suits your location, availability and interests.
If you are already working in an animal care related business, or volunteering in an animal related organisation, it may be possible to use your place of employment for your workplace training. You will still need to submit your workplace details for review and approval.
What type of work places are suitable for your work placement?
Ideal work placement facilities might include kennels, catteries, doggy day care centres, animal welfare shelters, pet shops (with animals), wildlife rehabilitation centres or zoos.
All workplaces must be reviewed and approved by our student support team prior to commencing your logged hours. You will receive a Practical Work Placement Approval Kit to assist you with this requirement.
What is the best way to find an animal related workplace for my training?
Once your enrolment is complete, we will provide you with access to our step-by-step, Workplace Training Guide to help you find a suitable organisation or business for your placement.
When do you need to start your work placement?
We normally suggest you start your search for a suitable workplace as soon as your enrolment has been confirmed. In light of the COVID-19 restrictions, we understand this may be difficult. Your safety is our priority and we, therefore, recommend focusing on your theoretical study until social distancing rules are relaxed.
Who provides workplace insurance?
Your course fee includes insurance cover for the mandatory work placement you take during your course regardless of the course delivery method you choose (applies to practical training in Australia only).
For additional information on workplace practical training see the Work Placement section in the Frequently Asked Questions. You can also learn more about workplace practical training here
Assessments range from
- online assignments and tests,
- case studies,
- oral testing via telephone or Skype,
- video submissions of practical tasks,
- on-site face-to-face assessments (if location permits).
You can enrol to start at any time of the year.
Learn at one of Perth's leading rescue organisations
In our 14 week intensive course, you will be exposed to practical workplace training and classroom training at our Bentley campus and Perth's very own Cat Haven and Greyhounds as Pets.
Classes are kept small (up to 12 students) and limited to ensure you receive a personable learning experience. Every student has the opportunity to contribute and participate actively in classroom and practical training. In addition to classes, we also ensure students have access to ongoing tutoring, support and instruction.
For detailed information about this option visit our dedicated ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies (Animal Care & Welfare) course page
Learn at our AVT simulated veterinary facility (Clarkson)
In our 10 week intensive course you will be exposed to practical workplace training and classroom activities at our very own simulated veterinary facility in Clarkson (North of Perth).
Whilst all our Animal Studies courses meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Nursing, this course has been designed for those who would like to focus on acquiring specific nursing knowledge and skills. It is also the perfect course for those students wishing to secure an animal attendant role in a veterinary environment.
Every student will participate and contribute in hands-on classroom and practical training sessions. In addition to classes, we also ensure students have access to ongoing tutoring, support and instruction.
For detailed information about this option visit our dedicated ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies Intensive Veterinary Nursing Pathway page
Learn at Ranger Red's Zoo and Conservation Park (Pinjarra)
In this 14 week intensive course you will be exposed to practical workplace training at Ranger Red's Zoo and Conservation Park in Pinjarra (WA).
This course has been tailored to suit students who are seeking experience and knowledge with zoo animals and wildlife including birds and reptiles, as well as insight into the day to day activities of a working zoo facility.
Students will attend the zoo once a week for the duration of the course for practical training with our qualified educators and participate in home-based online study. In addition to the weekly training, students will also have access to tutoring and student support.
For detailed information about this option visit our dedicated course page. ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies Intensive (Zoo and Wildlife Care)
What subject units will I study?
ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies is comprised of 12 units covering the principles of working in the animal care industry. Course content varies depending on your chosen study mode. All students will complete the AVT Core / Compulsory Units as well as the additional units noted under your chosen study mode.
All students must complete the following core and compulsory elective units:
This unit of competency covers the responsibilities and procedures required to provide daily care of animals, including the cleaning of animal housing and grooming or cleaning of animals under supervision.
This unit of competency covers the process of effectively participating in workplace communications in an animal care and management environment.
This unit of competency covers the process of preparing, presenting and distributing food and water for animals under supervision and according to workplace diet requirements.
This unit of competency covers the process of providing assistance to experienced staff in the capture, restraint and assessment of animals and the preparation, application and documentation of treatments.
This unit of competency covers the terminology, culture and working conditions of an animal care workplace when working on an individual basis and with others.
Online elearning students are also required to complete these additional units:-
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to collect, process and store, and maintain workplace information and systems. It also includes the maintenance of filing and records systems.
Students must select one species-specific elective unit which will correspond with a species they are working with as part of their practical placement. Examples of the species-specific units include “Provide basic care of birds” or “Provide basic care of domestic dogs”. Students who elect to study the Horse Behaviour and Care elective are required to study an additional pre-requisite unit (additional fees apply). All units including the full range of species-specific units are detailed below:-
Online students must also select one species-specific unit from the following list:-
ACMEQU205 Apply knowledge of horse behaviour
This unit of competency must be completed prior to the included elective ACMHBR203 Provide daily care for horses. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop basic knowledge of horse behaviour, read horse body language and minimise risk to self and others when interacting with horses. It applies to individuals who are new or inexperienced in handling, working with and/or riding horses.
ACMHBR203 Provide daily care for horses
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to groom and monitor the basic health and welfare of suitably educated and calm horses. It covers identifying and reporting workplace hazards and risks of interacting with horses, and the application of industry guidelines and procedures to ensure the welfare and safety of handlers and the horse. It applies to individuals who have no experience, limited experience or no recent experience working in the relevant horse industry sector.
Certificate II Intensive (Animal Care & Welfare) Students will also be required to study:-
This unit of competency covers the process of identifying domestic cats and their behavioural and physical needs, providing daily care requirements, assisting with behavioural requirements and basic preventative health measures.
Certificate II Intensive (Zoo & Wildlife Care) Students will also be required to study:-
This unit of competency covers the process of identifying common native mammals, their behavioural and physical needs, providing daily care requirements, assisting with behaviour requirements and basic preventative health measures.
Certificate II Intensive (Veterinary Nursing Pathway) Students will also be required to study:-
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to compile patient (animal) histories including client details, maintain records and consult the veterinarian as required.
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assist with the preparation of patients (animals) and the theatre for surgery, provide pre- and post-operative patient care, and clean surgical and theatre equipment in a veterinary practice.
This unit of competency covers the process of identifying domestic cats and their behavioural and physical needs, providing daily care requirements, assisting with behavioural requirements and basic preventative health measures.
What are the course fees and what do they include?
Our fees reflect the quality of the material delivered, continuous tuition and personalised support you receive throughout the program.
- Our fees include all study materials and items outlined below
- Fees are payable via a monthly payment plan
- For detailed information on our fees read more here
Online Delivery
Duration up to 1 year
Downloadable Learning Guides
Downloadable Textbooks
Enrolment Fee
Dedicated Student Support
One-on-one Mentoring via Phone, Email, Skype
Assessments and Certification
Practical Work Placement
Self Organised
Workplace Practical Insurance Cover**
AVT Practical Kit
Uniform, Name badge, Notebook and Workbook
Monthly Payment Plan
Initial payment of $260 plus 11 monthly payments of $235
Blended Delivery
Duration 14 weeks
Downloadable Learning Guides
Downloadable Textbooks
Enrolment Fee
Dedicated Student Support
One-on-one Mentoring via Phone, Email, Skype
Assessments and Certification
Practical Work Placement
Included
Workplace Practical Insurance Cover**
AVT Practical Kit
Uniform, Name badge, Notebook and Workbook
Monthly Payment Plan
Initial payment of $1,500 plus 3 monthly payments of $716
Blended Delivery
Duration 10 weeks
Downloadable Learning Guides
Downloadable Textbooks
Enrolment Fee
Dedicated Student Support
One-on-one Mentoring via Phone, Email, Skype
Assessments and Certification
Practical Work Placement
Included
Workplace Practical Insurance Cover**
AVT Practical Kit
Uniform, Name badge, Notebook and Workbook
Monthly Payment Plan
Initial payment of $1,500 plus 3 payments of $716
Concession rates are not available for this course
* Students choosing the elective ACMHBR203 Provide daily care for horses, will need to complete the pre-requisite unit ACMEQU205 Apply Knowledge of horse behaviour. The pre-requisite unit is in addition to the included units of study and therefore an additional fee of $210 applies.
** Workplace Practical Insurance Cover only applies to students undertaking practical training in Australia
Credit Transfers (CT)
AVT students who have successfully completed the Certificate II in Animal Studies with AVT and wish to progress and study towards the Certificate III in Animal Studies, will receive credits towards 7 units of competency. As such the Certificate III will be significantly reduced in cost to reflect the units already completed.
Students who have completed a Certificate II in Animal Studies with an alternative training provider will need to apply for credit transfers. The number of credits will depend on the units of competency successfully completed. Learn more in our FAQ here
Entry Requirements
The Certificate II in Animal Studies is an ideal starting point if you have very little or no prior knowledge or experience in the animal care industry. There are no prerequisites for entry into this course, making it a great pre-vocational course.
To complete the course you will:-
- have a reliable internet connection and access to a desktop computer, laptop or electronic device. You will be required to write, submit and in some cases upload assessments and various types of multi-media files online, therefore we strongly recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for your studies
- be proficient in speaking and writing in English
- 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.
- need to be at least Year 10 high school age
- to find a suitable workplace for your practical training where your supervisor can also read and write English.

International Students
We are unable to offer this course to students currently living overseas or those on a student visa. For more information visit our frequently asked questions below:-
Outcomes
On successful completion you will be awarded the nationally recognised qualification, ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies. You will receive a statement indicating completion of the individual units of study.Job Outcomes
Students who have completed the Certificate II in Animal Studies go on to careers as a:-- Animal care attendant
- Welfare shelter attendant
- Kennel hand
- Cattery attendant
- Pet shop attendant
- Assistant dog groomer
- Stable hand
- Vet assistant
Skills Outcomes
Some of the skills you will be able to apply once qualified include:-- Follow and implement animal feeding plans
- Carry out animal care hygiene routines
- Assist with the assessing the health of animals
- Administer basic animal first aid techniques
- Safety and correctly handle and restrain animals
- Identify and interpret animal behaviour
- Accurately complete animal care records
Frequently Asked Questions
General - FAQ
AVT offers high quality study material written, reviewed and delivered by Veterinarians, Animal Scientists and Veterinary Nurses with formal training qualifications. Our in-house training team have spent hundreds if not thousands of hours creating course resources for our units of competency across all courses.
The difference between registered training providers course content across all RTO’s including TAFE is often the units contained in the course and the quality of material. There are many units that can be included in a course and training providers nominate a selection of units they will offer to students.
Our courses are broad based and give an excellent introduction to working with animals across all species. They provide a fantastic is opportunity to learn about many different animals and most importantly allow you to apply what you learn in the classroom to the workplace.
To find out more about the units offered within each course visit the Course Content tab on our qualifications pages below.
The table below details the duration and maximum allowable time you can take to complete our courses. Our online courses are self-paced, meaning you can obtain your qualification much sooner if you wish to as long as all assessments and training have been successfully completed.
Extensions are available on a case by case review. For more information about extensions please visit our Student Policies page.
Qualification | Duration |
---|---|
ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies+ | 1 Year |
ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care++ | 1 Year |
ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies+ | 2 years |
ACM40412 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Online (2018 and prior)+++ | 2 years (complete by Dec 2020) |
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Online (2019 onwards) | 2 years |
ACMSS00007 Microchip Implantation for Dogs and Cats Skill Set | 1 year |
++ACM40412 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing has been updated by the regulating bodies to meet the Standards for Training Packages. As such, ACM40412 has been superseded by ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. All students currently studying ACM40412 will be expected to complete the qualification by December 2020 prior to the cutoff date for issuing this qualification. No extensions can be granted. Students who do not complete ACM40412 by this date may be given the opportunity to transition to the new qualification. Due to the significant changes in the qualification and assessment guidelines, this will likely involve a significant amount of additional work for students who need to be transitioned.
We currently offer two modes of study for our Animal Studies courses. You can choose from a self-paced, online eLearning option which includes workplace training at an approved location of your choice. Our online eLearning options allow you to apply at any time throughout the year. To enrol simply go our qualifications pages below, to enrol in the online course.
We also offer workplace-based courses for each of our Animal Studies courses. You can choose from our Certificate 3 course based at the RSPCA in Malaga WA, or our Certificate 2 courses either at the Cat Haven and Greyhounds as Pets, our Simulated Veterinary hospital in Clarkson, or at Ranger Reds Zoo Conservation Park in Pinjarra. Each course has intakes throughout the year. We recommend visiting our timetable and key dates for the most up to date course start and end dates. To find out more about our workplace-based courses go simply visit the qualifications pages listed below.
Please read our important information about our courses, lessons and COVID-19 here
Animal Studies
Certificate II and III in Animal Studies are Online Courses with the exception of the on-campus courses below:
- Cert III RSPCA based course,
- Cert II Intensive course (Animal Care & Welfare)
- Cert II Intensive course (Veterinary Nursing Pathway).
- Cert II Intensive course (Zoo and Wildlife Care)
For the online courses, you do not need to attend lessons. A majority of your study will take place at home, online. You will also need to attend an approved workplace to complete practical training. All assessments are completed and submitted online.
Horse Care
Our Certificate in Horse Care is an Online Course. You do not need to attend lessons and you can carry out all of your studies from home. You will also attend practical training at a horse care facility where you will complete assessments and skills worksheets. All assessments are then completed and submitted online.
Veterinary Nursing
Our Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing course is offered in either an online eLearning mode or on-campus mode. If you are applying for the on-campus mode, you will be expected to attend classes at our Bentley Campus each week throughout the term. If you are applying for the online mode, you do not need to attend classes.
All online eLearning students from both Animal Studies, Horse Care and Veterinary Nursing qualifications are invited to attend workshops throughout the year. These helpful training sessions provide practical experience and give you face to face access to our lecturers and tutors. Workshops are held at our Bentley campus in Perth, Western Australia. For more information visit our Workshops Page
The units are assessed using various methods. These include multiple choice quizzes, tests, written assignments and practical assignments such as video and photographic evidence.
We have a team of highly qualified educators who have worked in various areas of the animal industry (take a look at our ‘Meet Our Team’ page). Our educators are always on hand to answer any questions or provide further support, explanations or clarification of any of the course material. They will mentor and coach you through the course material when required. You can contact our lecturers via phone, email or Skype.
We do not hold a formal Open Day, however we often attend careers expos and events organised by schools. Throughout the year we conduct information sessions which are offered by invitation. If you are interested in attending one of these sessions please contact us
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Entry - FAQ
No, you do not need to complete a previous qualification or have experience with animals for entry into ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies.
Requirements for ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies are as follows:-
- Experience with animals is not compulsory. The course includes practical training which will require you to complete a practical work placement. This work placement must be within the animal care industry, so you will gain practical experience to compliment the course material and theory.
- The minimum age requirements for Certificate III in Animal Studies are based on academic school year. For the Certificate III in Animal Studies, this is Year 11 High School or equivalent. Some exceptions may be possible. Please note the minimum age for the RSPCA based course is 18 years of age due to RSPCA policy.
- We also ask that all students can speak and write English.
For more detailed information about the Cert III in Animal Studies entry requirements visit this link
The minimum age requirements for Certificate II in Animal Studies are based on academic school year. For the Certificate II in Animal Studies, this is Year 10 High School or equivalent. Some exceptions may be possible. Please note the minimum age for our Intensive Courses is 18 years of age due to the policies of our work placement facilities.
The minimum age requirements for Certificate III in Animal Studies are based on academic school year. For the Certificate III in Animal Studies, this is Year 11 High School or equivalent. Some exceptions may be possible. Please note the minimum age for the RSPCA based course is 18 years of age due to RSPCA policy.
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Fees - FAQ
None of our courses require up front payment, we offer flexible monthly payment plans with instalments for all students. Total course fees and payment plan structure vary with each course and individual circumstances. For more information, contact us.
Concession fees are available to eligible students only through our courses which have been granted government funding. Currently this only applies to the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing for students that are residing within Western Australia. For more information on the eligibility criteria please see the Fees tab on this page.
None of the courses currently offered by Applied Vocational Training are eligible for Government HECS-HELP or VET Student Loans (formerly VET FEE-HELP).
HECS-HELP is a scheme that assists eligible Commonwealth supported students to pay their student contribution amount with either a loan or a discount for certain up-front payments. HECS‑HELP loans are available at all public universities and at a handful of private higher education providers.
VET Student Loans is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students studying diploma level and above qualifications to pay their tuition fees. VET Student Loans replaces VET FEE-HELP from 1 January 2017. There are no Government loans available for Certificate IV and lower levels of study including those offered at AVT.
To find out if you may be eligible for alternative support such as Youth Allowance, we recommend contacting The Department of Human Services. For more information about our fees visit the Fees and Entry tab on this page
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Qualification - FAQ
Yes, our qualifications in Vet Nursing, Horse Care and Animal Studies are nationally recognised and accredited.
Our company, Applied Vocational Training (AVT), is fully registered by the Australian Government training registration authority ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority). Our Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Number is 5273. The qualifications we offer are nationally recognised Certificates.
We are also supported and endorsed by the Australian Veterinary Association. Our registration authority can be viewed on the training.gov.au website, which is the Australian Government’s website for details of registered courses and training providers – View our details here.
We strongly recommend you search the training.gov.au website for any training organisation you may be considering.
An upgrade in the qualification Certificate II in Animal Studies to ACM20117 occurred in November 2017. The content and requirements for this particular certificate have not changed and the new certificate is deemed equivalent to ACM20110.
The reason for the code change is that all units in the Animal Care Package (ACM10) have been reviewed and codes updated for 2017. Some qualifications have changed significantly, others have not.
AVT Students who were previously enrolled in ACM20110 Certificate II in Animal Studies or ACM30110 Certificate III in Animal Studies and completed their course prior to November 30th 2018 were issued with the previous qualification code, ACM20110 or ACM30110. Students who continued with their studies past 30th November 2018 were transitioned to the new course version for any remaining units. This means they received, ACM20117 Certificate II in Animals Studies or ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies on successful completion of their qualification.
For more information visit our article on the Changes to National Qualifications
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Work Placement - FAQ
Prior to starting your workplace practical placement, you student must submit a signed ‘Workplace Approval Form’.
This form must be signed by the person who will be supervising you during your placement and returned to us BEFORE your placement starts.
The purpose of this form is to highlight the animals, facilities and equipment available to you and the types of work you will be exposed to during your work placement.
You must wait to receive confirmation from us that your work placement has been approved before beginning your practical placement.
If your work placement is not approved by AVT, and it is unsuitable for the purposes of this course, then any hours already completed there will not contribute to the completion of this qualification or any of the units of competency.
Commonly asked questions about Workplace Practical Training
- What is workplace practical training?
- Can I complete my workplace practical training in a private, non-business environment? Or with my pet?
- Can I volunteer in an organisation to meet the required work placement hours?
- Can I do my Veterinary Nursing practical work placement on weekends?
- Can I be exempt from the Workplace Practical Training if I have previous experience in a Veterinary Practice?
- Do I need to do the work placement with the same veterinary clinic or can I work in more than one workplace?
- Can I choose more than one workplace for my Animal Studies work placement?
- How am I assessed during my practical placement?
For the Certificate II in Animal Studies, you are only required to work with two different species as part of your work placement or workplace practical training. One must be a companion animal and one must correspond with the elective ‘Species-specific’ unit you have chosen as part of your course.
You will receive a Practical Skills Workbook containing a logbook and all the practical assessments you are required to complete during your placement.
Practical assessments include ‘Workplace Assignments’ which include activities such as case studies, photographs, written descriptions of workplace procedures and video evidence of practical tasks. These assessments are designed to see how well you are able to apply the information covered in the theory component of each unit.
Each unit also includes ‘Practical Skills Worksheets’ outlining various tasks that you are expected to complete during your placement, with each task signed off by a supervisor once it has been successfully completed. All practical assessments must be submitted to us via our online learning platform for assessment by one of our tutors.
A student attendance record is also included in the Workbook and this must be signed by your supervisor to confirm that you have completed the required number of hours during a placement.
During your placement, we will also contact your supervisor to obtain feedback on your performance. This feedback will then be relayed to you.
Commonly asked questions about Workplace Practical Training
- What is workplace practical training?
- Can I complete my workplace practical training in a private, non-business environment? Or with my pet?
- How do I know if the workplace I have chosen is acceptable?
- Can I volunteer in an organisation to meet the required work placement hours?
- Can I do my Veterinary Nursing practical work placement on weekends?
- Can I be exempt from the Workplace Practical Training if I have previous experience in a Veterinary Practice?
- Do I need to do the work placement with the same veterinary clinic or can I work in more than one workplace?
- Can I choose more than one workplace for my Animal Studies work placement?
All of our courses are vocational, which means that they are specifically designed to provide students with the skills, experience and knowledge to enter the animal care workplace. Working in an animal care facility, where you are responsible for a number of different animals and sometimes a range of different species on a daily basis is very different to caring for your own pets at home.
Therefore to successfully complete your qualification you will need to secure a formal workplace practical training placement in a pet related business or organisation.
Below are just a few examples of the types of skills and knowledge that must be covered in all of our courses, which cannot be learned from caring for your own animals –
- Being able to understand and interpret the behaviour of animals that you are not familiar with. This is an essential skill in order to ensure that the animal is approached and handled in the most appropriate and safest way so as to minimise stress to the animal and reduce the risk of injury to the handler.
- The ability to accurately assess the health of an animal that you are not familiar with. As we know our own animals so well, we can often pick up on the early signs that something is wrong. However, being able to do this with animals that you do not know particularly well and may be in an unfamiliar environment such as boarding facility, rescue shelter or vet clinic requires a completely different set of skills and knowledge.
- Understanding of hygiene and infection control practices. In a facility where numerous animals are housed, it is vital to have a good understanding of the correct hygiene practices to ensure that all animals are kept healthy and to minimise the risk of the spread of disease and cross-contamination.
- Health and safety practices – working with animals can present a very unique set of risks and therefore it is vital that students are aware of not only the possible risks but also how to ensure they can minimise these risks at all times.
Commonly asked questions about Workplace Practical Training
- What is workplace practical training?
- How do I know if the workplace I have chosen is acceptable?
- Can I volunteer in an organisation to meet the required work placement hours?
- Can I do my Veterinary Nursing practical work placement on weekends?
- Can I be exempt from the Workplace Practical Training if I have previous experience in a Veterinary Practice?
- Do I need to do the work placement with the same veterinary clinic or can I work in more than one workplace?
- Can I choose more than one workplace for my Animal Studies work placement?
- How am I assessed during my practical placement?
Yes, you can complete your practical training at more than one establishment if you have the opportunity to do so. Whilst it is not compulsory, training at two different workplaces can be very beneficial and provide you with valuable experiences. However, in saying this we would recommend that you limit your practical training to no more than 2 different organisations.
Also keep in mind, when choosing these workplaces, your practical placement must correspond with the species-specific unit that you choose as your elective unit.
Finally, we will still need a signed ‘Workplace Approval Form’ for each placement to ensure the suitability of the placement for your studies.
Many of our Animal Studies students, unless employed at a suitable workplace, complete their required hours in a voluntary position whether that be as a volunteer in an animal or wildlife shelter or an animal-related business.
Prior to commencing your work placement, you will need to submit a Practical Work Placement Approval Kit. Once received, our Student Liaison Officer will assess the organisation to ensure it meets the workplace criteria for your course.
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International - FAQ
All qualifications offered by Applied Vocational Training require students to learn and demonstrate knowledge and practical application of a significant amount of Australian local and state legislation, regulations and standards.
In other countries, legislation, regulations and standards are often different, making it difficult for us to assess and recognise competence in all areas.
As such, Applied Vocational Training no longer accepts applications from students living overseas*
Important note for students wishing to return or live in Australia
* Individuals who currently live overseas but are intending to return and or/live in Australia may be considered for enrolment. If such enrolment were to occur it would not be possible for any certification to be awarded until the student could be assessed as competent in Australia, regardless of the amount of course work completed overseas.
Related FAQ’s:
Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?
I wish to study in Australia on a student visa. Can I study with Applied Vocational Training?
Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?
This answer specifically addresses international students who wish to study in Australia on a Student Visa.
Unfortunately, we are unable to assist individuals with studying as an international student in Australia as we do not have the necessary registration with our government to enrol students in Australia on a Student Visa. The required registration for this is CRICOS ‘The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students’.
To find out more about studying in Australia we recommend visiting the Australian Government website: homeaffairs.gov.au. This will require applying for a student visa under the Vocational Education and Training Sector. However, you will need to have been accepted into a full-time study course by a CRICOS approved provider and then apply for the student visa. These normally take approximately 46 days to process.
You may find CRICOS registered training institutions in Australia who can offer qualifications to international students. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions hold CRICOS registration and offer courses in Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing
Related FAQ’s:
Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?
I wish to study in Australia on a student visa. Can I study with Applied Vocational Training?
I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?
I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?
Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS
This answer specifically addresses students who wish to study in Australia on a Student Visa.
Unfortunately, we are unable to assist individuals with studying as an international student as we do not hold the required CRICOS registration “The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.
The following link outlines the main steps to be taken to be able to study in Australia homeaffairs.gov.au. This will require applying for a student visa under the Vocational Education and Training Sector. However, you will need to have been accepted into a full-time study course by a CRICOS approved provider and then apply for the student visa. These normally take approximately 46 days to process.
You may find CRICOS registered training institutions in Australia who can offer qualifications to international students. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions hold CRICOS registration and offer courses in Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing.
Related FAQ’s:
Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?
I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?
Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?
Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS
In some cases, a registered training organisation (RTO) may enrol students who are temporarily visiting or reside in Australia on certain visas, other than study visas. However, some visas include restrictions on training. Most visas and sub-class visas clearly outline what your study rights are in Australia. It is the responsibility of the individual to check their study and work rights according to their individual visa* . Further information is also available from the Department of Home Affairs.
*Any course undertaken by a student visa holder must be registered on CRICOS and training must be provided by a CRICOS registered provider (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students). Applied Vocational Training is not a registered CRICOS provider and as such we are unable to accept applications from individuals wishing to study on a student visa.
Related FAQ’s:
I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?
I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?
Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS
In some cases, registered training organisations (RTOs) may enrol non-resident students who are temporarily visiting or reside in Australia on certain visas, other than study visas. However, some visas include restrictions on training. Most visas and sub-class visas clearly outline what your study rights are in Australia. It is the responsibility of the individual to check their study and work rights according to their individual visa.
Further information is also available from the Department of Home Affairs.
Visa information for Jobs & Skills WA Funding 
Students wishing to be considered for funding (ACM40418 Cert IV in Vet Nursing) must:
- Have a valid USI (Unique Student Identifier)
- be an Australian citizen; or
- Be a permanent visa holder or holder of visa subclass 309, 820 or 826; or
- a dependent or spouse of the primary holder of a visa subclass 457.
- Hold a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (subclass 790);
- Hold a Temporary Protection Visa (subclass 785); and
- bridging Visa E holders (subclasses 050 and 051) where they have made a valid application for a visa of subclass 785 or 790
Related FAQ’s:
- Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?
- I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?
- Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
- I currently live overseas, can I apply for your on-campus full-time course? Will I need an international student visa?
- I wish to study in Australia on a student visa. Can I study with Applied Vocational Training?
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RPL - FAQ
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available to enrolled students of AVT qualifications. The prior learning may be in the form of previous studies or completed qualifications (including superseded qualifications), on the job experience or volunteer work.
To find out more detailed information about RPL visit our RPL page.
In meeting the required rules of evidence and principals of assessment, AVT is unable to provide recognition of prior learning (RPL) to candidates who can not demonstrate recent and current skills and knowledge.
Applicants need to be able to demonstrate that they meet the competency requirements of the current training package including application of current industry techniques using the latest technology, equipment and supplies in accordance with the current standards and regulations.
If you wish to gain certification as a veterinary nurse or animal carer without having current experience, you will need to enrol in and complete the full course.
Yes. You can use units of competency received from a prior qualification even if the unit is different from an elective unit required by AVT. You can claim a credit transfer (CT) for these units as long as:-
- the unit is current and relevant to work undertaken in the animal care and management industry and
- you hold a Statement of Attainment from the issuing provider.
If this is the case, then you may use previous units of study to fulfil the elective component of the qualification.
You will be required to provide us with a Statement of Attainment from a recognised and approved training provider at the time of application. We will verify your previous studies with the training provider.
For information about fees and charges that apply to credit transfers, please see our student policy page.
Please note, we are unable to offer RPL or Train and Assess any other elective unit of competency other than the ones provided in the courses offered on our website.
For a full list of our qualifications visit our Qualifications Overview page
To receive a credit for a unit of competency that you have previously been awarded, you must be able to supply a verifiable Testamur (certificate) or Statement of Attainment obtained from the issuing provider.
A Testamur or Statement of Attainment must either contain the wording ‘The qualification is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework’ or the AQF logo authorised by the AQF Council.
A Record of Results or Statement of Academic Record by itself is not sufficient when applying for a credit transfer of a nationally recognised unit of competency.
If you do not have a copy of your Testamur or Statement of Attainment you are responsible for requesting a copy from the issuing provider, we are unable to do this on your behalf.
For more information about RPL see our frequently asked questions here.
Yes. If you have completed and passed the exact same unit as delivered by AVT, you will receive a credit transfer for the unit. You must be deemed competent and be awarded a PASS in the unit.
At the time of application, you will be required to provide us with a Statement of Attainment from a recognised and approved training provider. We will verify your previous studies with the training provider.
For information about fees and charges that apply to credit transfers, please see our student policy page.
Credit transfer fees do not apply for students who have completed a previous qualification with AVT.
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Enrol to Study Online
ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies - 2021 - General Public |
Zoo and Wildlife Care
Course | |
ACM20117 - Intensive Course - Zoo & Wildlife Care (March 2021 Intake) |
Animal Care at the Cat Haven and Greyhounds as Pets
Name | |
ACM20117 – Intensive Course – Animal Care & Welfare (May 2021 Intake) |
Vet Nursing Pathway
Name | |
ACM20117 – Intensive Course – Vet Nursing Pathway (May 2021 Intake) |
Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. We will also be in touch with you with instructions on the next steps to take.
The AVT Difference
Here's just a handful of reasons why students choose AVT:-
- We know our students by name not by number!
- We are a dedicated animal care college. No plumbing or hairdressing courses here!
- Our students have a high graduation and employment rate
- Employers request our graduates - we are trusted and respected
- Our course material is written by Veterinarians, Veterinary Nurses and Animal Scientists who are employed directly by AVT
- Our insurance policy protects students throughout Australia during their workplace practical training
- We are an independent animal care and veterinary nursing registered training organisation (RTO). We do not have third party arrangements with other training providers to acquire content or distribute qualifications. We develop and deliver our own course material so you get the latest and most up-to-date knowledge.
At AVT, we combine a high standard of theoretical knowledge with intensive practical training. This allows you to gain the competence and confidence required for an exciting and rewarding career in a variety of animal care careers. Still not sure?? Read our Facebook student reviews!

What students say about our course

"The study modules for the Certificate III were structured in a way that made them extremely interesting and easy to understand. Throughout the courses, I gained an insight into the day-to-day running of animal care facilities and was able to build-up my practical experience through my work placement at a native animal rehabilitation facility."
Hayley Wilson – Certificate III in Animal Studies Graduate
Are you choosing a Registered Training Organisation?
AVT is fully registered by the Australian Government training registration authority ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority) and the qualification offered is the nationally recognised Certificate II in Animal Studies. We are supported and endorsed by the Australian Veterinary Association. Our registration authority can be viewed on the training.gov.au website, which is the Australian Government’s website for details of registered courses and training providers – View our details here. We recommend you search the training.gov.au website for any training organisation you maybe considering.

Download Course Guides
Looking for more information about the Cert II in Animal Studies?
Study Modes & Delivery | Course Content | Fees and Payment Plan | Entry Requirements | Career & Outcomes | Frequently Asked Questions
The new ACM training package was released on the 29th November 2017. ACM20110 has been superseded by ACM20117. Read more here