ACM20121 Certificate II In

Animal Care Intensive (Zoo & Wildlife Care )

We're sorry, we no longer offer this course option

Due to a lack of quality experienced trainers with a speciality in this area, we will no longer be offering this course. If you are interested in gaining an accredited qualification in Animal Care we recommend viewing our other course and qualification options.

Are you interested in a career working in a Wildlife and Native Animal Rescue Facility ?

Yes, then this is a great place to start! This introductory course provides students with exposure to exhibited animals including Australian wildlife and other species in a Zoo and Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation setting.

Throughout this 14-week course, you will have weekly hands-on practical training alongside a small group (max. 12) of other students. AVT’s own highly experienced trainers will instruct and supervise your training and you will also be required to complete home-based online learning throughout the week.

On successful completion of this course, you will receive a nationally recognised qualification, ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care. This qualification will allow you to start your career in an entry-level position in the animal or wildlife care industry or meet the prerequisite for the national qualification in veterinary nursing.

Course snapshot

  • Duration: 14 weeks
  • Practical Training: 1 day per week at a Wildlife Rescue Facility
  • Prerequisite: none required
  • Best suited to: Students who wish to start a career in the zoo or wildlife rescue and rehabilitation and care sector or those who wish to go on to further studies such as Vet Nursing.
Nationally recognised animal care course in Australia NRT
Zoo and Wildlife Care Course - Based in Perth Australia
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Blended learning, 1 day practical training plus home-based online eLearning.

Your Zoo and Wildlife Care course structure will be as follows:-

  • You will attend a Zoo and Wildlife Care facility one day per week and,
  • you will also be required to undertake 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 be guaranteed and students are expected to participate in ALL practical training days.

To commence the Animal Care and Welfare Course, 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
  • 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
  • not attending high school for the duration of the course
  • 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.

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 practical placement days and therefore full course fees will apply.

For our Zoo & Wildlife Care Course you will be required to wear:

  • an AVT shirt 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?

You will become familiar with working in the animal care industry with a specific focus on the zoo and conservation industry. Most importantly you will learn the fundamental principles of working and volunteering in a Zoo and Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation facility. Including:

  • Understanding body language in animals and encouraging natural animal behaviours.
  • Public speaking and presentation skills to give you the confidence to speak to groups of visitors about exhibited animals.
  • Providing enrichment in a Zoo environment including mental stimulation, exercise, and feed planning and training.
  • Principles of conservation and the Zoo’s role in protecting our native wildlife.
  • Understanding animal health and nutrition; and
  • Ethology and behaviour of captive animals.

All of the skills and knowledge you will learn in this zoo and wildlife care course can be applied in zoo or wildlife care and rehabilitation centre or across a range of animal care facilities. For more information on careers working with animals read our article Top 6 Animal Care Careers.

Animal Rehabilitation Course - Captive animals and wildlife course

Course outcomes

Many people aspire to work with animals and a Certificate II in Animal Care can lead to a wide variety of further study opportunities and/or job pathways in the animal care industry. Although this course has a zoo and wildlife care focus, the qualification will also prepare you for an introduction to a range of vocations such as:-

Job Outcomes

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

  • Animal welfare carers,
  • Wildlife carers and animal fauna rehabilitation workers,
  • Conservation workers,
  • Zoo keepers,
  • Sanctuary management,
  • Park and wildlife rangers,
  • Pet-related organisations such as veterinary clinics, home-based pet services, animal trainers, animal attendants (kennels and catteries), pet daycare centres, agistment facilities and retail businesses such as pet shops.

Skills Outcomes

Some of the skills you will be able to apply once qualified include:

  • Following and implementing animal feeding plans
  • Carrying out animal care and hygiene routines  
  • Inspecting animal’s health and wellbeing
  • Administering basic animal first aid techniques
  • Effectively engaging with audiences
  • Safely and correctly handling and restraining animals
  • Accurately completing animal care records
  • Recognising and encouraging normal behavioural patterns of animals
  • Managing animals exhibiting undesirable behaviour

Zoo and Wildlife Care 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 Intensive (Zoo & Wildlife Care) Students will also be required to study:

  • ACMSPE314 Provide general care of birds
  • ACMSPE315 Provide general care of common native mammals
  • ACMBEH302 Provide enrichment for animals
  • ACMGEN301 Prepare and present information to the public

Why choose an intensive pathway course 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 lecturers delivering supervised practical training and assessment with a structured study time table to ensure you stay on trackand 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 can then 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 requiredfor this national qualification. Your essential practical training and classroom training will take place in a small group setting with otherlike-minded students.
  • 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 are saying about this course

Fees & inclusions

Total course fees: $3,525*

Payable via our monthly payment plan. Initial payment of $1,500 plus 3 x $675 monthly payments and includes:-

  • Learning guides (Downloadable)
  • Textbooks (Downloadable)
  • Dedicated student support
  • One-on-one mentoring by AVT lecturers
  • Assessments and Certification
  • 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.

Apply now

Course Dates
Application Status
Next Intake
Register Your Interest

This course has limited places with high demand. We reserve the right to close course intakes before the advertised close date. We recommend submitting your application below, as early as possible. For full details of the application process please visit this link.

FAQs

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.

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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