ACM20121 Certificate II In

Animal Care Course (VETDSS High School)

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Open your Eyes to the Amazing World of Working with Animals

Are you crazy about animals? Can you see a future where you will care for animals and play an active role in their welfare? 

If you are a upper high school aged student, our VETDSS course is designed for you! Our Perth based course is specifically structured for year 11 or 12 high school students (or those eligible for NOA: Notice of Arrangment or are homeschooled) who wish to integrate a VET course ( VETis course ) with their final years of secondary school study.

You will attend our AVT Animal Care and Veterinary Facility in Ascot, WA one day a week and work hands-on with animals as well as participate in tutorials and assessment sessions conducted by experienced AVT trainers who hold working with children checks. Your course is designed so you do not have to find an additional work placement position. 

This certificate will allow you to meet the prerequisite for the national qualification in veterinary nursing or start your career as an animal carer or attendant in a veterinary hospital.

Course snapshot

  • Duration: One Semester (View timetable)
  • Next Intake:  July 2023 (Year 11 only) 
  • Application status: Register Now
  • Practical Training:  Thursdays on-campus every week 
  • Prerequisite: none required
  • Best suited to:  Year 11 or 12 High School aged students who are passionate about a career working with animals.  
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NRT - nationally recognised training - for animal studies, horse care and vet nursing
Animal Care course for high school students
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Course outline

This is an on-campus course. You will:-

  • attend AVT Ascot, 1 day per week for all classes and practical training, plus
  • complete online eLearning from home and during classes.

If you are not Perth-based or are unable to attend our Ascot Campus  for weekly classes and practical training, we highly recommend our online course option: ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Online). 

Your course structure will be as follows:-

  • Thursdays on-campus from 8.30am – 3.30pm 
  • you will also undertake school or home based online study to complete your theory work and assessments.

You will have access to our student recreation and lunch room area during breaks (breaks are unsupervised). Kitchen facilities including fridges and microwaves are available. 

Students must:

  • be available to participate in ALL training days (1 day per week)
  • be physically capable of restraining animals, handling animal feed e.g. large bags of food of up to 10 kg and standing for extended periods of time
  • bring a laptop on-campus each week to complete online assessments
  • have a reliable internet connection and access to a desktop computer or laptop at home or school to write, submit and in some cases upload assessments and various types of multi-media in your own time 
  • be proficient in speaking and writing in English
  • due to the required workload and level of study, have a minimum level of schooling up to and including year 10, with a good understanding of science and maths.

Entry Age

To ensure there is enough time for successful completion prior to year end, Year 12 students can only enrol and start in the February intake.  Year 11 students can choose from either the February or July start date.

Credit transfers

Students with eligible credit transfers may apply; however, due to the course delivery format, 100% attendance is required for on-campus training days and therefore full course fees will apply.

You will be required to wear:

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

What will you learn?

On successful completion of this course, you will have the confidence to approach, handle and care for animals including cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and rodents.

In addition to the topics covered in the Certificate II in Animal Care VET schools course, you will be introduced to:-

  • Working in the world of animal care 
  • Understanding body language in animals and how to encourage natural animal behaviour
  • Safety around animals including how to keep you and animals safe from each other
  • Communication skills including how to build effective relationships with supervisors, peers, customers and clients in an animal care workplace 
  • Sustainability in the animal care industry
  • Providing animal care information including how to help pet owners source information about the care and welfare of their pets e.g.  providing preventative health treatments in a pet shop environment
  • Practicing and learning about low stress animal handling and minimising stress to animals in an enclosed or captive environment 
  • Observing animal behaviour for health and wellness
  • Enrichment in an animal care environment including making enrichment activities for different species
  • Basic animal health care including first aid for animals
VETDSS in Animal Care for High School Students

Want to start your studies but not located in Perth?

Our online option provides the flexibility to complete this course from anywhere in Australia.
Study Online Here >>

Course outcomes

AVT animal care graduates are succesful in starting their careers in a variety of roles. 

Job Outcomes

High School Students who complete ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care start out in roles such as:

  • Kennel hands or cattery attendant
  • Animal care attendant
  • Welfare shelter attendant
  • Retail assistants (pet and feed shops)
  • Dog washers and grooming assistants
  • Professional dog and pet sitters
  • Stable hands
  • Veterinary assistants

Career Opportunities

Some of the organisations actively recruiting Animal Care graduates include:-

  • Dog, cat and pet boarding facilities
  • Shelters for animals including rehoming organisations
  • Retail businesses such as pet shops
  • Wildlife care and rehabilitation centres
  • Animal welfare organisations
  • Pet groomers including hydrobathing services
  • Dog training organisations
  • Horse agistment and stables
  • Veterinary clinics

Want to learn more? Read our post about: The top careers working with animals and salary expectations in Australia.

Course content

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

Certificate II in Animal Care (VETDSS) Students will also be required to study:

  • ACMINF201 Handle companion animals safely and follow infection control guidelines
  • ACMSPE322 Provide general care of rodents or rabbits
  • ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs
  • ACMGEN102 Approach and handle a range of calm animals
  • ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid

Why choose AVT for your VET Animal Care course?

  • No stress for you or your VET co-ordinator – You do not have to worry about finding a work placement normally required for this course. Your training and face-to-face practical assessments will be conducted on-campus.
  • You will work hands-on with a range of species from the AVT animal shelter including Cats, Dogs, Birds, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Rodents and Rabbits. We might even ask you to bring your own pet along to help! 
  • Our qualified Trainers deliver supervised practical training and assessments with a structured study time table to ensure you stay on track. All Trainers hold valid working with children checks to ensure your safety.
  • Regularly updated course material that is easy to follow and will help you understand and apply theory with ease.
  • An AVT animal care certificate is well recognised by industry and will give you job ready skills to increase your opportunities for employment in the animal care industry and provides recognition towards entry into further studies.

Completion of this qualification meets the prerequisite for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing however, it does not guarantee you a place. 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 people are saying about our Animal Care Courses

Your support and professionalism in handling different requests made working in the VET sector so much manageable. It is such a pleasure networking with a truly amazing group of people.
Katherine
Katherine VET Coordinator Lumen Christi College
I have just completed the Certificate II in Animal Studies Intensive (Animal Care and Welfare) and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to start a career working with animals. The work placements at both Cat Haven and Greyhounds as Pets were great because you got hands on experience while you study. The tutors and staff at AVT are really helpful and informative if you ever need a hand with something.
H Slade
H SladeCertificate II in Animal Studies Graduate

Fees & inclusions

Total course fees: $3,648

Payable via our monthly payment plan with an initial payment of $348 plus 6 x $550 monthly payments. Fees include:-

  • Dedicated student support
  • One-on-one mentoring by AVT Trainers
  • Practical training insurance
  • Training in our on- campus animal shelter
  • Access to the AVT interactive online elearning centre
  • Assessments and Certification
  • 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.

Register Now for our VETDSS animal care course

Course Dates
Application Status
July 2023 Intake (Year 11 entry only)
Course runs 27 July - 1st Dec

This course has limited places with high demand. We reserve the right to close course intakes before the advertised close date. If applications are open, we recommend applying as early as possible. For more details on the application process please visit this link.

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FAQs

B
Can I use a Record of Results or Statement of Academic Record for Credit Transfer?

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.

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Why choose AVT?

Dedicated Animal Care College

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!

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 are approachable and dedicated to helping students succeed.

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

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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.

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