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Do you love teaching people to have a better relationship with their dog? Would you love to learn how to influence an animal’s behaviour? How would you like to take your training to the next level? Our new ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training (previously ACM40321) is the gold star standard with input from internationally recognised experts in animal training. Successful completion of this course provides you with the new nationally recognised animal training qualification as well as membership to the internationally renowned Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT).
This is a 12-month blended course and is the perfect mix of online and practical training in a supportive learning environment. Our philosophy incorporates modern, positive-reinforcement based and force-free animal training, perfectly combined with clear and compassionate training for the human half! As a graduate, you will be prepared for employment as an animal trainer.
Laura Ryder IMDTB KPACTP CPDT-KA FFCP
Laura has worked as the Head Dog Trainer and Behaviour Consultant for a busy veterinary clinic for over 25 years. She is a Fear Free Certified Professional and Member of the Fear Free Speakers Bureau. She holds her Certificate IV in Dog Behaviour Training and a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment is a full member of IMDT, APDT and PPG.
She has presented both locally and overseas to the AVA, VNCA, IMDT, APDT (USA) and PPG on a wide range of dog behaviour and training topics.
Fiona Cowie IMDT
Fiona also has over 20 years’ experience in the industry, including 14 years as a detection dog handler with two government departments. She has also run a successful dog training business and is passionate about supporting new dog trainers entering the industry.
Fiona holds a Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Dog Training and Behaviour and a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment. She is also a full member of IMDT and PPG.
Both Fiona and Laura are passionate about professional development and have completed numerous industry recognised courses.
Guest Video Presentations
The course also includes guest video presentations by leading international experts:
Plus, you will also hear from these highly respected industry professionals:-
Blended learning, including online learning, online support and 2 x compulsory 4 day practical workshops.
In addition to home-based online eLearning to complete and submit your assessments and with the support from our tutors, you will be required to participate in two four day practical workshops in Perth, WA (as noted in the timetable and key dates page). You will also be required to participate in regular online Zoom sessions.
Requirements for Practical Workshops (suitable training dog required)
Each participant will need to have a dog that is comfortable around other dogs and humans, crate trained and capable of lots of training. If you do not have access to a suitable dog, or are travelling from elsewhere in Australia to attend, you will need to advise us so suitable arrangements can be made.
Students must:
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.
You will be required to wear:
ACM40321 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training contains 16 units of study (including your compulsory prerequisite HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid) covering a broad range of topics relating to animal training and behaviour. You will become competent in:-
The skills and knowledge you will learn can be applied in a range of roles from trainers to animal handlers. For more information on careers working with animals read our article Top 6 Animal Care Careers.
Our graduates can go on to a wide range of roles across the animal behaviour and animal training industry.
Graduates from this course can go on to careers such as:
Some of the skills you will be able to apply once qualified include:
You must complete the following 8 units (in addition to completing your compulsory prerequisite, HLTAID011 Provide First Aid prior to the first practical workshop. You will need to complete this unit with another provider).
Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training Students will also be required to study:
Payable via our monthly payment plan and includes:-
* Fees, inclusions and payment plan amounts are subject to change. The compulsory prerequisite unit (first aid) is an additional cost to the student. If you decide to withdraw from study for any reason, refunds are not issued. Please see our policies page for full details.
Course Dates | Application Status |
|---|---|
March 2023 Intake Course runs March 2023 - Feb 2024 | |
June 2023 Intake Course runs June 2023 - May 2024 |
This course has limited places with high demand. We reserve the right to close course intakes before any advertised close date.
Concession fees are available to eligible students only through our courses which have been granted government funding. Currently, this applies to the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing for students that are residing within Western Australia and our Certificate II in Animal Care Intensive (Animal Health and Welfare). For more information on the eligibility criteria please see the fees section of the course 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 Centrelink .
We offer flexible monthly payment plans with instalments for all students. We do not require upfront full payment for any of our courses. Total course fees and payment plan structure vary with each course and individual circumstances. Visit the relevant qualifications page for more information or contact us for further details.
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.
Students wishing to be considered for funded places in the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing should visit this page for more detailed information about eligibility.
Students wishing to be considered for funded places in the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Health & Welfare) course should visit this page for detailed information about eligibility.
Related FAQ’s:
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
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
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
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*
* 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?
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.
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:-
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
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.
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.
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.
AVT has been delivering Vet Nursing and Animal Care related courses for over 20 years. It's safe to say there are no plumbing or hairdressing courses here!
A recent NCVER VET student outcomes report found 89.5% of AVT graduates were employed or enrolled in further study after training and 95.5% 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 are approachable and dedicated to helping students succeed.
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The leader in Vet Nursing qualifications, Animal Care (Animal Studies) and Animal Behaviour and Training Courses for students wishing to pursue a career working with animals. AVT is a nationally recognised training provider based in Perth, Western Australia providing on-campus and online courses to students studying throughout Australia. Learn More
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) Registered Training Provider No.5273