ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Online)

This course is delivered 100% 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, you will be required to complete workplace based training (a Work Placement).

• You are 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 consider our RSPCA Program option. 
• 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, day care centres, animal welfare shelters, pet shops (with access to animals), wildlife rehabilitation centres, zoos or veterinary practices. 

Just keep in mind you need to have access to dogs and cats to complete some of the practical assessments, therefore if you choose a wildlife or zoo related placement, or a workplace where you only have access to one species (either cat or dog), you will need an additional placement to complete your assessments.

For more information, see our Work Placement FAQ’s below or visit Practical Work Placements in Animal Care.

Students must:

• Provide their unique student identifier (USI)
• Complete a language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills (LLND) quiz
• Have a reliable internet connection and access to a computer or laptop at home. You will be required to write, submit and in some cases upload assessments and various types of multi-media files online
• 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 10kg and standing for extended periods of time
• Be at least Year 10 high school age
• Have access to dogs and cats to complete some of the practical assessments
• Find a suitable workplace for your practical training where your supervisor can also read and write English

You do not need to complete the Certificate II in Animal Care to commence this course, however, we do recommend commencing your study pathway with the Certificate II in Animal Care.  Read our FAQ for more information.

The following information outlines what you can expect during the course, including the essential, environmental and psychosocial requirements. If you have any questions or concerns about these expectations, please contact our Student Support team.

Essential requirements
Throughout this course, you will need to:

• Collaborate in a workplace setting using both verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Effectively communicate with your Trainers and Assessors via email, phone and online learning platforms and respond promptly.
• Follow written and verbal instructions accurately, both within online coursework and from supervisors during your work placement.
• Demonstrate digital literacy skills to navigate the online learning portal, access resources and upload assessment evidence.
• Complete workplace documentation using industry-specific language relevant to your host facility.
• Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as required by your workplace, including enclosed shoes, gloves and sun protection.
• Secure and participate in a suitable work placement in 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:

• Manage your own learning schedule and progress through online theory content, requiring self-motivation and effective time management.
• Adapt to the operational environment of your host facility, which may require working outdoors and being exposed to various weather conditions.
• Function in a busy workplace environment which may include noise (such as barking), strong odours, and physical activity.
• Interact with workplace staff and the general public, maintaining professional conduct at all times.
• Be physically capable of the manual handling requirements of your workplace, including lifting equipment, bending and standing or walking for extended periods.

Psychosocial requirements
Given the nature of work in the animal care and welfare environments, and the delivery of training within a third-party workplace, you will need to:

• Manage exposure to diverse animal behaviours, including animals that may be excited, stressed, fearful, unwell or difficult to handle.
• Cope with the realities of animal care in your chosen workplace; this may include managing animal hygiene and grooming needs, witnessing illness or injury.
• Maintain appropriate emotional regulation and professional behaviour in busy and sometimes unpredictable environments.
• Maintain an inclusive and supportive attitude by interacting respectfully with workplace colleagues and clients of all backgrounds and identities.
• Receive and respond to feedback from your workplace supervisor and your online Assessor in a constructive manner.
• Manage the demands of study by balancing online coursework, practical placement hours, and assessment deadlines alongside your personal or employment commitments.

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

• Written answers, online quizzes and knowledge tests.
• Projects and logbooks completed during your work placement.
• Video evidence of practical tasks submitted for review.
• Third-party reports and feedback provided by your workplace supervisor.

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. 

International students, please note that we are not registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Please visit the CRICOS website to view education providers that offer courses to people studying in Australia on student visas. 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:

• I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?
• I wish to study in Australia on a student visa. Can I study with Applied Vocational Training?