ACM20121 Certificate II In

Animal Care (Health & Welfare)

Gain job ready skills with Perth's only nationally recognised Animal Health and Welfare focused course

Have you ever dreamed of working with animals? Are you looking for an introduction to the animal care and animal welfare industry or a job seeker looking to improve your opportunities? Are you a volunteer and want to offer more help and assistance to an animal welfare or rescue centre, animal adoption, cattery or kennel facility? 

AVT’s ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Health and Welfare) course, previously ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies, is a great place to get started if you’re looking to enter the animal care industry or meet the prerequisite for our Veterinary Nursing qualification. 

This 14-week course includes weekly training at the Cat Haven in Shenton Park and at the Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) in Southern River. It is one of the quickest ways to gain a Nationally Recognised Animal Care Qualification and obtain valuable experience in a local animal shelter and kennel facilities.

Government Funded Subsidised Discount fees for Animal Care and Vet Nursing

Are you unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week?

You maybe eligible for a funded Jobs and Skills WA position. Read More >>

Course snapshot

  • Duration: 14 weeks
  • Application Status: Register your interest
  • Next Intake: July 2024
  • Attendance (2 days per week):
    • Practical Training: 1 day per week at the Cat Haven or GAP (Thursday or Friday)
    • Class Time: 1 day on-campus in Ascot (Wednesday)
  • Fees:  Subsidised fees start from just $668.20*
  • Prerequisite: No prior qualifications are required
  • Best suited to: Students and Job Seekers who wish to start a career in the animal care industry or those who wish to go on to further studies such as Vet Nursing. This course meets the prerequisite for the national qualification
Animal Care and Welfare Course - Cat Haven Perth
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Course outline

Our Animal Health and Welfare course is delivered via blended learning incorporating online eLearning, on-campus and on-site training. Your assessments will be completed face-to-face as well as online. 

You will participate in the following: 

  • A full day induction at AVT’s Ascot campus at the commencement of the course.
  • 1 day per week at the Cat Haven located in Shenton Park, WA OR at Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) located in Southern River, WA. You will spend time at each facility during the course.
  • 1 day per week at AVT’s Ascot Campus to receive intensive small group practical training and undertake assessments.
  • Home-based online eLearning to complete and submit assessments.

We will endeavour to meet your preference for practical training / on-site training days, but this can not always be guaranteed. Attendance at all practical training days both on-campus and at Cat Haven and GAP is compulsory.

To commence the Animal Health and Welfare Course, students must:

  • be available to participate in ALL training days (2 days per week)
  • be physically capable of restraining animals, handling animal feed e.g. large bags of food of up to 10 kg and standing for extended periods of time
  • have a reliable internet connection and access to a desktop computer or laptop. You will be required to write, submit and in some cases upload assessments and various types of multi-media files online in your own time, therefore we strongly recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for your studies
  • be proficient in speaking and writing in English
  • must be at least 18 years of age
  • due to the required workload and level of study, have a minimum level of schooling up to and including year 10, with a good understanding of science and maths.

You will be undertaking activities with cats. If you are pregnant or thinking about falling pregnant throughout the course, we suggest speaking with your doctor or medical professional before enrolment. If you would like to discuss your individual situation with us further, please feel free to get in touch with our student support team. 

This course is highly competitive and has limited places. Therefore, successful students are selected based on prior work experience, education, individual attitude and aptitude. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by an AVT team member.

Credit transfers

Students with eligible credit transfers may apply, however due to the course delivery format, 100% attendance is required for orientation/induction and practical placement days and therefore full course fees will apply. Credit transfer fees do not apply for Jobs and Skills WA funded students. 

For our Animal Health and Welfare Course you will be required to wear:

  • An AVT shirt (supplied by AVT)
  • Enclosed protective footwear (comfortable walking shoes that are waterproof are recommended – supplied by student)
  • Neatly presented, long comfortable work pants suitable for bending and manual work (supplied by student).

“Presentation is key to success”

Essential Requirements
Throughout this course, you will need to:

  • Collaborate in group settings using both verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Effectively communicate with your peers and Trainer and Assessor.
  • Follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
  • Engage in group activities and practical assessments alongside your peers.
  • Complete workplace documentation using industry-specific language.
  • Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including enclosed shoes, gloves and sun protection.
  • Work within an animal care facility, handling and caring for various species. This environment by its nature will expose you to potential allergens.
  • Adhere to hygiene protocols to ensure animal health, which may involve contact with animal waste such as uneaten food, urine, faeces, soiled bedding and enrichment items.

Environmental Requirements
In this course, you will:

  • Attend theory classes with a maximum of 24 students.
  • Attend practical classes with a maximum of 7 students.
  • Work outdoors, exposed to various weather conditions.
  • Encounter a noisy environment including barking dogs.
  • Work alongside volunteers and encounter the general public.
  • Be physically capable of lifting equipment, and standing or walking for extended periods.

Assessment Types
You will be assessed on your skills and knowledge in various ways, including:

  • Written answers, online assessments and tests, multiple choice questions, presentations, verbal questioning and practical tasks visually assessed by Trainer and Assessors.

What will you learn?

During our Animal Health and Welfare course, you’ll become familiar with the fundamental principles of working in the animal care industry. In addition to the topics covered in the Certificate II in Animal Care course, you will be introduced to:

  • The principles of working and volunteering in the animal care industry.
  • Understanding body language in animals and encouraging natural animal behaviours.
  • Low stress handling and minimising stress in the rescue or animal care environment.
  • Enrichment in an animal care environment including mental stimulation, exercise and feed planning and socialisation.
  • Increasing an animal’s potential for rehoming.
  • Animal health and well-being including first aid for animals, animal care hygiene routines to minimise spread of disease and more.

All of the skills and knowledge you will learn in this animal care and animal welfare course can be applied in an animal adoption, shelter or rescue based organisation or across a broad range of animal care facilities in commercial organisations. For more information on careers working with animals read our article Top 6 Animal Care Careers.

Course in animal welfare and care

Course outcomes

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

Job Outcomes

Students who have completed the Certificate II in Animal Care go on to careers as a:

  • Animal care attendant
  • Animal welfare shelter attendant
  • Kennel hand
  • Cattery attendant
  • Pet shop attendant
  • Assistant dog groomer
  • Stable hand
  • Vet assistant

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this course work in a range of animal care organisations such as:

  • Welfare organisations and shelters
  • Adoption and rehoming services
  • Dog kennels, catteries and boarding facilities
  • Pet shops and retail businesses
  • Groomers
  • Dog daycare centres
  • Dog training services
  • At home services including self-employment in dog walking and pet sitting

Animal Care and Welfare 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

Students will also be required to study:

  • ACMINF201 Handle companion animals safely and follow infection control guidelines
  • ACMSPE317 Provide general care of domestic cats
  • 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 an intensive pathway for your Animal Care course?

  • Professionally managed and delivered course – with on-site supervision, complete with tutorials and lectures to help you understand and apply theory with ease.
  • Qualified Trainer and Assessors delivering supervised practical training and assessment with a structured study time table to ensure you stay on track and are learning from the best.
  • This intensive pathway will allow you to meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Nursing – you can gain your qualification in 14 weeks and apply for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing to become a qualified veterinary nurse. ** 
  • No stress! This unique format course also means you do not have to worry about finding your own work placement normally required for this national qualification. Your essential practical training and classroom training will take place in a small group setting with other like-minded students.
  • This certificate increases your opportunities for employment in the animal care industry and gives recognition towards entry into further studies.

**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 are saying about this course

Fees & inclusions

  • Funded concession: $668.20*
  • Funded non-concession: $2,015*
  • Full fee: $3,900*

Your course fees will depend on your eligibility for a Jobs and Skills WA based funded position and your concession status. Please see detailed fees and funding information here. All fees are payable via our monthly payment plan. 

Our fees include:

  • Dedicated student support
  • One-on-one mentoring by AVT Trainers 
  • Membership to a Private Facebook Group for your class
  • Access to the AVT interactive online eLearning Centre
  • Assessments and Certification
  • Practical training insurance
  • Work Placement Kit: Uniform, name badge and workbook

If you would like more information about our fees, the initial deposit and payment plan, including options, please contact our friendly Student Support Team OR Request a Call

*Funded places are subject to eligibility and availability. The Student tuition fees are indicative only and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as resource fees and other fees. Full fees apply for participants who do not meet the Jobs and Skills WA Participation – Work Readiness program eligibility criteria.

If you decide to withdraw from study for any reason, refunds are not issued unless you are a Jobs and Skills WA funded student. Please see our policies page for full details.

Register your interest for our next Animal Health and Welfare Course

Course Dates
Application Status
July 2024 Intake
Course commences July 2024

This course has limited places. We recommend submitting your application, as early as possible.  AVT reserves the right to cancel or make changes to the location and training days for this course (See cancellation policy). For full details of the application process please visit this link.

FAQs

General Information FAQ – Animal Care and Welfare

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.

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.

To successfully complete our on-campus / on-site Animal Care courses, attendance is compulsory for all practical training days and classroom days.

If you’re unwell, you’ll be asked to contact your Trainer in advance to arrange a time to catch up. Due to the intensive nature of the course, if you’re absent more than two (2) days, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to successfully complete your qualification within the given timeframe.

The application process for our Animal Care on-campus / on-site courses are as follows:

  • Step 1 – Apply using our online form found on the course page. If an application period is not open you can register your details and we will contact you when applications are open.
  • Step 2 – Your application will be reviewed by one of our AVT Student Liaison Officers. If you are a VETDSS high school student we will speak with your parent/guardian and VET Coordinator.
  • Step 3 – Successful applicants will be emailed an offer including payment plan details.
  • Step 4 – You will be required to activate your payment plan prior to course commencement

For an overview of all important dates and deadlines including details of the next intake for all AVT courses, visit our timetables and key dates page.

You are required to commit to two (2) days of training per week during the week. Practical training days onsite at either the Cat Haven or GAP is Thursday or Friday and your AVT Ascot campus training day is Wednesday.

Due to the intensive nature of this course including the volume of study and practical hours required, all students are expected to meet the 100% attendance requirement for the weekly practical training and on-site training days.

This is an intensive course and a majority of the days spent at the Cat Haven and Greyhounds as Pets will be hands-on working alongside fellow students, as well as practical classroom activities with our qualified teaching team at our Ascot campus. For this reason, it’s important we keep the class size small. There will be no more than 12 students in your class.

We are only offering on-campus / on-site courses in Perth, Western Australia.

For students outside of WA, we recommend:

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.

Qualification FAQs – Animal Studies Intensives

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.

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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