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

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

General Information – FAQs Zoo and Wildlife Care

To get the most out of your studies, you’ll need a reliable device that you feel confident using. Throughout your course, you’ll be accessing online learning platforms, submitting assessments, downloading resources and working with standard software, so having the right setup will make everything smoother.

We strongly recommend using a laptop, rather than a tablet, as this will give you the best experience when completing assessments and accessing course materials.

While both Windows and Mac devices can be used, we suggest Microsoft Windows as the preferred operating system, as it offers the smoothest compatibility with the software and platforms used throughout your course.

Recommended device specifications

  • Laptop (preferred over tablet)
  • Screen size of at least 10 inches
  • Battery life of at least 4 hours, and don’t forget your charger if you’re an on-campus student
  • Stable internet connection for online at home study
  • Up to date antivirus protection, where applicable

Required software

  • Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office, or Word 2010 or later
  • Google Chrome web browser

Additional capabilities (maybe required for some courses)

  • Built in microphone, or headphones with a microphone
  • Wi Fi support

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.

We only offer our face-to-face / on-campus courses in Perth, Western Australia.

For students outside of WA, we recommend:

Fees FAQs – Animal Care Intensives

Understanding your fees at AVT can seem tricky at first, especially when you hear terms like full fee, funded non-concession and funded concession. Let’s break it down for you:

What are Government Funded Fees?

Government funding helps reduce the cost of your course through programs like Jobs and Skills WA (if you’re eligible).

If you meet the funding eligibility criteria, your course fee will be ‘subsidised‘ or ‘funded’ — meaning the government pays part of the course cost on your behalf.

There are two types of government subsidised fees:

  • Funded Non-Concession Fee – a reduced fee if you are eligible for funding but do not have concession status.
  • Funded Concession Fee – an even lower fee for those eligible for funding and who meet concession requirements.

What is a Concession Fee?

For the purposes of understanding AVT fees, a concession fee is a further discount on the government funded fee.

To access the additional concession fee, you must hold a valid concession card or be in receipt of services from a Commonwealth support or employment services program at the time of enrolment. A valid concession card is current (not expired) and issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs

Accepted concession cards include persons and dependants of persons holding a:

  • Pensioner Concession Card
  • Repatriation Health Benefits Card issued by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; or 
  • Health Care Card

Commonwealth support and employment service programs accepted include:

  • Persons in receipt of services from Workforce Australia; or ParentsNext
  • Secondary school-aged persons who are not enrolled at school.
  • Persons and dependants of persons who are inmates of a custodial institution. 
  • Persons and dependants of persons in receipt of AUSTUDY, ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance

Note: this list is current at the time of publishing and may change from time to time.


Full Fee vs Funded Non-Concession vs Funded Concession — what’s the difference?


Quick Example

  • Emma is not eligible for funding but has a valid concession card → She pays the full fee.
  • Laura is eligible for funding and has a concession card → She pays the funded concession fee.
  • Liam is eligible for funding but doesn’t have a concession card → He pays the funded non-concession fee.
  • Sophia isn’t eligible for funding → She pays the full fee.


Why does this matter?

Understanding whether you qualify for a concession fee or just the standard government funding can make a difference to your course costs. It’s important to check your eligibility before enrolling!

Which AVT courses are funded?

Not all AVT courses are funded. For more information on which courses are eligible for government funding visit our Government Funded Course Page

WA-based students may be eligible for a government-subsidised place under the Jobs and Skills WA initiative. You can find out more information by visiting our Government Funding Page.

Unfortunately we do not have funding outside of WA.

AVT courses are not 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.  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, Animal Studies/Care, Animal Behaviour and Training, Horse Care (previously offered under the code: ACM20217) are nationally recognised.

Our company, Applied Vocational Training (AVT),  is registered with 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.

Our course material is designed and developed in-house by our team of veterinary and animal science professionals, ensuring it reflects the latest industry practice.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) and The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers Australia (IMDT) also recognise AVT.

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.

Learn more about Nationally Recognised Courses here

We strongly recommend you search the training.gov.au website for any training organisation you may be considering.

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

 If you are in Australia on another type of visa, your eligibility to study depends on the specific conditions attached to your visa. AVT is not able to enrol students in nationally recognised qualifications on a student visa.

  • Other visas – Some registered training organisations (RTOs), including AVT, may enrol non-resident students who are temporarily visiting or living in Australia on certain visas other than a student visa. See important information about Jobs & Skills WA Funding eligibility including visa eligibility.

  • Restrictions – Many visas include limits on study or training. Your study and work rights are linked to your visa type.

  • Your responsibility – You must check your individual visa conditions before applying. Further information is available from the Department of Home Affairs.

Visa information for Jobs and Skills WA Funding Jobs and Skills WA funded programs

Courses shown below are subsidised under the Jobs & Skills WA funding program. Eligibility including visa eligibility, vary by course. Please refer to the links below for details:

ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care – Eligibility details for each stream:

ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (RSPCA)Eligibility details >>

ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary NursingEligibility details >>

Related FAQs:

AVT is not able to accept international students wishing to study on-campus in Australia on a Student Visa. To enrol students on a Student Visa, training providers must be registered with CRICOS (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students). AVT does not hold this registration.

If you wish to study on-campus in Australia with a Student Visa, you will need to apply through a CRICOS-registered provider. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions are CRICOS-registered and may offer qualifications in Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing.

Related FAQ’s:

Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS

AVT is not able to accept applications for online qualifications from students who reside outside of Australia.

All AVT qualifications require students to learn and demonstrate knowledge of Australian legislation, regulations and industry standards, as well as apply these in practical settings. Because these requirements differ from those in other countries, we are unable to assess and recognise competence for students living overseas.

Related FAQ’s:

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.

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 Care and Veterinary Nursing courses.

Related FAQ’s:

Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS


CRICOS (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) is the Australian official register of training providers approved to deliver courses to international students on a Student Visa. Any qualification undertaken by a Student Visa holder must be listed on CRICOS and delivered by a CRICOS-registered provider.

In some cases, a registered training organisation (RTO) may enrol students who are temporarily visiting or living in Australia on other types of visas (not a Student Visa). However, many visas include restrictions on study or training. It is each individual’s responsibility to check their visa conditions to confirm their study and work rights. You can verify these with the Department of Home Affairs.

Related FAQ’s:

Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS

RPL – FAQ

Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning (RPL) are two methods to receive credit towards your course, but they differ in how credit is awarded.

Credit transfer is available if you have previously completed the same unit, or one that matches in content and outcomes, at another recognised VET or higher education provider. To apply, you must provide verifiable evidence, such as a Statement of Attainment or qualification certificate, proving your competency. Once approved, you will not need to repeat assessment for that unit.

Please note that many of AVT’s courses are clustered. Clustering involves delivering and assessing two or more units together in groups (or blocks), in a meaningful and purposeful way. It avoids duplication and repetition and creates a logical flow to the delivery of your course. As a result, you may still need to complete training and assessments that cover similar concepts found in the unit for which you’re requesting a credit transfer

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) on the other hand, allows you to be assessed on the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through previous training, work experience, or life experience. To apply for RPL, you must supply evidence, such as records of completed training, assessment items, or declarations from your employer. Your provider will then assess your competency against the requirements of the course to determine if further training or assessment is needed.

Both options can reduce your study load, but RPL assesses existing skills, while credit transfer recognises previously completed qualifications.

For more information about AVT’s process for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning, please see our policies page.

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?

100% Focused on Animal Care

Because we specialise in animal care, behaviour and veterinary training - everything you will learn is based on real industry needs and demands!

AVT graduates make a difference in animal care

Real Outcomes You Can Trust

91% of AVT graduates are satisfied with their training experience, and 83% were employed after training (NCVER, 2025).

Prerequisite course for veterinary nursing

Support Students Recommend

Students consistently tell us how supported they feel. Our trainers are here to guide you and answer your questions and help you stay on track.

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