Study your Animal Care course online and launch your
dream career with animals!

Working or volunteering with animals is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, and the best place to start is with this entry-level course. 

The ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (formerly Animal Studies) will prepare you for a range of jobs such as an animal carer or animal attendant in a doggy daycare, kennel or cattery, stable, veterinary clinic, animal shelter or pet shop. This nationally recognised, 1 year course will give you the foundation skills and knowledge to get started in the animal care industry.

This course is the perfect option for someone who is considering further studies in animal care and veterinary nursing or upper high school aged students wishing to undertake vocational studies (VETDSS course online).

Nationally recognised animal care course in Australia NRT

Course snapshot

  • Study mode: Online
  • Duration: Up to 1 year
  • Application Status: Apply now
  • Start: Flexible start date to suit you
  • Practical Training: At an Approved Workplace of your choice
  • Online Study Time: Approx. 10-15 hours per week
  • Prerequisite: No prior qualifications are required
  • Best suited to: Students who have little or no prior knowledge or experience in the animal care industry, and have a genuine interest in the welfare and care of animals or wish to meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Nursing. Or high school aged students wishing to complete a VETDSS online course. 
Study animal care online in Australia
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Course outline

This course is delivered online and you will not be required to attend classes. You will:

  • Be provided with a login to our Online Learning Platform where you will find all of the course materials including interactive learning material, videos, and assessments. 
  • Receive the personal support of our qualified Trainers and Assessors either via email, online chat or phone.  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, and 
  • Have help and assistance from our student support team to help you stay on track
  • Be assessed in various methods including:
    • Online multiple-choice quizzes
    • Online tests
    • Written and practical assignments submitted online
    • Oral testing via phone call
    • Online video assessments (e.g., Zoom)
    • Video and photographic submissions

To gain the valuable practical skills required to successfully complete this course, we recommend you complete 100 hours of workplace based training (a 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 do not wish to find your own placement, you can choose from one of our Intensive Courses (WA based)

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.

Ideal work placement facilities include kennels, catteries, doggy day care centres, animal welfare shelters, pet shops (with access to animals), wildlife rehabilitation centres, zoos or veterinary practices. Keep in mind, you will need to have access to at least two species of animals. For more information see our Work Placement FAQ’s below or visit Practical Work Placements in Animal Care.

The ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care 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.

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:-

When you visit your Work Placement you will be required to wear:

  • an AVT shirt and name badge (supplied by AVT),
  • suitable enclosed shoes (supplied by student),
  • neatly presented, long comfortable work pants suitable for bending and manual work (supplied by student).

You will be required to wear the AVT uniform unless specified by your approved workplace. 

What will you learn?

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 be introduced to:-

  • The principles of working and volunteering in the animal care industry
  • Following and implementing animal feeding plans
  • Carrying out animal care hygiene routines such as bathing and grooming
  • Safely and correctly handling and restraining animals
  • Assist with assessing the health of animals
  • Identifying and interpreting animal behaviour
  • Working with animal care records
  • Administer basic animal first-aid techniques 

All of the skills and knowledge you will learn can be applied across a broad range of animal care facilities. For more information on careers working with animals read our article Top 6 Animal Care Careers.

ACM20121 Animal Care Course - online studies

Course outcomes

Our graduates go on to a wide range of roles across the animal care industry. 

Job Outcomes

On successful completion of ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care you can go into roles such as:

  • Animal care attendant
  • Welfare shelter attendant
  • Kennel hand
  • Cattery attendant
  • Pet shop attendant
  • Assistant dog groomer
  • Pet sitters and walkers
  • Stable hand
  • Veterinary care assistant

Career Opportunities

This course will prepare you for career opportunities in a broad range of animal care organisations such as:

  • Doggy daycare centres
  • Dog kennels and boarding
  • Catteries 
  • Stables and agistments
  • Veterinary clinics  
  • Animal shelters, rehoming and rehabilitation centres
  • Pet shops and retail businesses
  • Groomers

Course content

Our ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care course is delivered in a clustered format. This means you can work through the theoretical and practical components  including assessments of your course in a streamlined and efficient manner. Our delivery method gives you an opportunity to progress quickly and complete your course sooner. 

 

All students must complete the following core units:

  • ACMWHS201 Participate in workplace health & safety processes
  • ACMGEN202 Complete animal care hygiene routines
  • BSBCMM211 Apply communication skills
  • ACMGEN203 Feed & water animals
  • ACMGEN204 Assist in healthcare of animals
  • ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
  • ACMGEN201 Work in the animal care industry

Online eLearning students will also be required to study:

  • ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid
  • ACMGEN205 Source information for animal care needs
  • ACMGEN102 Approach and handle a range of calm animals
  • ACMINF201 Handle companion animals safely and follow infection control guidelines

Students must select one species-specific elective unit from this list below which will correspond with a species they are working with as part of their work placement. 

  • ACMSPE316 Provide general care of domestic dogs
  • ACMSPE317 Provide general care of domestic cats
  • ACMSPE314 Provide general care of birds
  • ACMSPE322 Provide general care of rodents or rabbits

Why choose our Online eLearning option for your Animal Care Course?

  • Complete flexibility – you can start and study whenever you like to suit your lifestyle and commitments.
  • Professionally managed and delivered course – complete with online instructional videos and materials to help you understand and apply theory easily.
  • Our clustered course format has been designed to reduce repetition and allow you to progress quickly and complete your course sooner.
  • Affordable, all inclusive monthly payment plan to help you manage your student fees.
  • This course will allow you to meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Nursing – you can gain your qualification in under 12 months and then apply for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing to become a qualified veterinary nurse*.
  • This certificate increases your opportunities for employment in the animal care industry and gives recognition towards entry into further studies.

*Please note: Completion of this qualification meets the prerequisite for ACM40418 Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing. However, it does not guarantee you a place on one of our own courses. Due to high demand, our AVT selection criteria also apply. Please read full details on our Veterinary Nursing Course Entry page.

Nationally recognised animal care course in Australia NRT

What students say about this course

Fees & inclusions

Total course fees: $2,845*

Payable via our monthly payment plan. Initial payment of $260 plus 11 x $235 monthly payments and includes:-

  • Dedicated student support 
  • One-on-one mentoring by AVT Trainers including online chat and forums
  • Membership to our Private Facebook Group
  • Access to the online AVT Virtual Animal Shelter
  • Access to the AVT interactive online eLearning centre 
  • Assessments and Certification
  • Workplace practical training insurance
  • Work Placement Kit: Uniform, Name Badge, and Workbook

*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. Concession rates are not available for this course
 ** Workplace Practical Insurance Cover only applies to students undertaking practical training whilst in Australia

Enrol now

Course
Application Status
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care
Course Application Status
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care
Course
Application Status
ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies 2021
Online eLearning Applications Open
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care
February 2022 Intake
Course commences Feb 2022
Applications opening soon

Ready to enrol? It’s easy, just complete our online application form.  Once we have received and reviewed your submission you will receive an email outlining the next steps to get started. 

FAQs

General Information FAQ – Cert II in Animal Studies Online

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.

We offer two flexible study options for our Animal Care courses.

1) Self-paced + Online

You can select our self-paced online eLearning option, which includes workplace training at an approved location of your choice. Our online eLearning courses are available for enrolment year-round. To get started, simply visit the qualification pages:

2) On-campus + Workplace

We also provide on-campus and workplace blended courses for our Animal Care programs. You can choose from our Certificate II courses at Cat Haven (Shenton Park) and Greyhounds as Pets (Southern River), our Ascot campus, or our Certificate III course in collaboration with RSPCA (Malaga).

Each course has multiple intake opportunities throughout the year. For the latest course dates, we recommend checking our timetable and key dates. To learn more about our workplace blended courses, please visit the qualification pages:

If you’re a high school student, you can also explore our on-campus course in Ascot with two intakes available annually. Please note that Year 12 students are eligible to apply for the semester one intake. For more info, please see the qualification page:

Animal Care Courses (Previously Animal Studies) 

ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care and ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (previously Animal Studies) are Online Courses except for the on-campus / on-site courses below:

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.

Veterinary Nursing

Our ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing course is offered as online eLearning or on-campus delivery modes. If you choose our on-campus mode, you will be expected to attend classes at our campus each week throughout the term. Online students, do not need to attend classes.

Animal Behaviour and Training

ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training is offered via blended learning. Your theory and interactive lessons are studied from home via online eLearning and Zoom classes, plus you will attend group training workshops at a training facility in Perth WA.

All online eLearning students from Animal Care, Animal Behaviour and Training, 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 campus in Perth, Western Australia. For more information, visit our Workshops Page.

We have a team of highly qualified Trainers and Assessors who have worked in various areas of the animal industry (take a look at our ‘Meet Our Team’ page!). Our Trainers and Assessors are always on hand to answer any questions or provide further support, explanations or clarification of any of the course material. They’ll mentor and coach you through the course material when required. You can contact our Trainers via phone, email or video call.

The units are assessed using various methods. Throughout your course you may be expected to submit assessments via the following methods:

  • online multiple choice quizzes,
  • online tests,
  • written assignments and practical assignments submitted online,
  • oral testing via phone call,
  • online video assessments e.g. Zoom,
  • video submissions submitted online; and
  • photographic submissions.

A USI is your individual education number for life. It also gives you an online record of your vocational education and training (VET) undertaken in Australia.

To complete nationally recognised training, you need a USI. Without one, you can’t get your qualification or statement of attainment.

How do I get a USI?
Getting a USI is quick, easy and free. Follow the steps on the USI website.

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 RTOs including TAFE is often the units contained in the course and the quality of the 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 opportunity to learn about many different animals and most importantly allow you to apply what you learn from our online course material or in the classroom to the workplace.

To find out more about the units offered within each course visit the Course Content section on our qualifications pages.

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.

QualificationDuration
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care1 Year
ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care
1 Year
ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services
2 Years
ACM40321 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour & Training
1 Year
ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour & Training
1 Year
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Online eLearning
2 Years
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing On-campus Full-time
1 Year
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing On-campus Part-time
1.5 Years
Equine Veterinary Nursing Certificate1 Year

+ The ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies and ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies have been updated by the regulating bodies to meet the Standards for Training Packages. As such, ACM20117 has been superseded by ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care, and ACM30117 has been superseded by ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services. All students currently studying ACM20117 or ACM30117 will be expected to complete the qualification by their original course end date or 12th April 2023 (whichever is sooner).  No extensions will be granted.

Individuals employed by a business under an Apprenticeship or Traineeship arrangement can nominate any RTO (Registered Training Provider) with the relevant qualifications on scope to provide training for their chosen qualification, provided that RTO has the capacity to deliver the qualification under traineeship conditions.

Often the choice of RTO is a joint decision made between the Employer and the Trainee/Apprentice, to ensure the mode of delivery is suitable for both Trainee and Employer needs,

AVT currently only accepts new entrant traineeship nominations for ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies, where the trainee has an approved training contract registered with the Apprenticeship Office.

Further information about Apprenticeships and Traineeships can be found at www.apprenticeshipsupport.com.au/states/Western-Australia

The minimum age requirement for the Certificate II in Animal Care is based on academic school year.  For the Certificate II in Animal Care, 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 requirement for the Certificate III in Animal Care Services is 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 Program is 18 years of age due to RSPCA policy.

 

 

Work Placement FAQ – Cert II in Animal Studies Online

Yes, you can complete your practical training at more than one establishment if you have the opportunity to do so. Whilst it’s 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 two different organisations.

Please 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 require a signed ‘Workplace Approval Form’ for each placement to ensure the suitability of the placement for your studies.

You will receive a Practical Task Workbook containing a logbook and all the practical assessments you must complete during your placement.

Practical assessments include ‘Workplace Assignments’ that 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 can apply the information covered in the theory component of each unit.

Each unit also includes ‘Practical Task Worksheets’ outlining various tasks that you are expected to complete during your placement, with each task signed off by a supervisor once 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 your supervisor must sign this to confirm that you have completed the required number of hours during a placement.

During your placement, we will contact your supervisor to obtain feedback on your performance. This feedback will then be relayed to you.

Commonly asked questions about Workplace Practical Training

Self-organised work placements are only required for selected courses and delivery methods. As a general rule, our intensive, on-campus or on-site courses do not require you to organise a work placement. Check the relevant practical training/workplace information on the course page for more information.

Special note for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Students: Only non-funded regional WA and interstate Vet Nursing students are required to organise their own work placement.

Prior to starting your workplace practical placement, you 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

Many of our Animal Studies and Animal Care 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.

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 animal related business or organisation. If you are completing our veterinary nursing qualification, you will need to complete your placement in a veterinary practice.  

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

For the Certificate II in Animal Care, 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.

Qualification FAQs – Cert II in Animal Studies Online

Yes, our qualifications in Vet Nursing, Horse Care (previously offered) and Animal Studies/Care 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’re 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.

The Animal Care and Management Package, (ACM10), outlines the qualifications and contents of the individual nationally recognised qualifications.  Over the past years, this package has been updated to reflect the needs of the animal care industry and as a result, the course code and name have evolved over this period.

In November 2017, Certificate II in Animal Studies was upgraded from ACM20110 to ACM20117. The content and requirements for this particular certificate did not change and the newer certificate was deemed equivalent to ACM20110.

In April 2021, ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies was superseded by ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care with changes to core and elective units. For more detailed information about this upgrade and course availability see the detailed post Certificate II and Certificate III in Animal Studies Qualifications to be replaced with updated training packages ACM20121 and ACM30122

We follow the national training package for all qualifications. The latest version of the training package can be viewed here. Training.gov.au is the Australian Government Website for registered training courses and providers.

Fees FAQs – Animal Care General

Concession fees are only available to eligible students for selected courses which have been granted government funding. Currently, this applies to the following courses offered by AVT:

For more information on the eligibility criteria please see the fees section of the course pages above.

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.

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.

 

Related FAQ’s:

I currently live overseas, can I apply for your on-campus full-time course? Will I need an international student visa?

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 students who wish to study in Australia on a Student Visa.

Unfortunately, we cannot assist individuals studying as international students as we do not hold the required CRICOS (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) registration.

The following link outlines the main steps 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 a student visa. These normally take approximately 46 days to process.

You may find CRICOS registered training institutions in Australia that can offer qualifications to international students. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions hold CRICOS registration and offer Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing courses.

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 am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?

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 Jobs and Skills WA funded programs

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.

Students wishing to be considered for funding places in the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (RSPCA) 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?

    I currently live overseas, can I apply for your on-campus full-time course? Will I need an international student visa?

    Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?

     

    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

    RPL – FAQ

    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:-

    • 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 

    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.

    Read more about RPL here

    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. Credit transfer fees do not apply for Jobs and Skills WA funded students.

    Why choose AVT?

    Dedicated Animal Care College

    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!

    Prerequisite course for veterinary nursing

    Outstanding Track Record

    A recent NCVER VET student outcomes report found 93% of AVT graduates were employed or enrolled in further study after training and 95% of graduates would recommend the training provided by AVT.

    Prerequisite course for veterinary nursing

    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're approachable and dedicated to helping students succeed.

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