ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (RSPCA)

Blended learning including 2 days per week of practical training and classroom activities at the RSPCA and AVT, plus home-based online eLearning.

This course is delivered via blended learning. The RSPCA Program structure will be as follows:

Week 1
Your course commences at AVT with one full training day. Meet your Trainer and fellow classmates. Followed by an additional induction and practical training day at the RSPCA WA in Malaga. This induction program will cover important workplace health and safety policies and workplace procedures. You will not be allowed to begin your training at the RSPCA until you have completed this induction program. 

Weeks 2-23

• Weekly practical training for one term 22 weeks in total:
  • 1 day per week at the RSPCA’s facility in Malaga to receive intensive practical training by qualified AVT trainers. Training will be held from 7:30am – 4:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday*.
  • 1 day per week at AVT’s campus in Ascot for further practical training and classroom based learning. Training will be held from 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday.
• You will also be required to undertake home-based online eLearning to complete and submit assessments.

Weeks 24-25
Time to catch up on any outstanding assessments from home. There are no classes or practical training during this time.

For a full schedule of course dates and breaks please see Key Course Dates.

*We’ll endeavour to meet your preference for your on-site training days but this can not be guaranteed and students are expected to participate in ALL practical training days. Attendance at all practical training days both on-campus and at the RSPCA is compulsory.

To commence the RSPCA Program, students must:

• be at least 18 years of age, due to RSPCA policies and guidelines
• be available to participate in:
  • 1 day per week practical training day at the RSPCA
  • 1 day per week at AVT
  • Days of the week are determined by AVT prior to course commencement
• 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
• 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
• 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.

Please note, 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 RSPCA Program you will be required to wear:

• an AVT shirt, jacket, hat and name badge (supplied by AVT),
• steel-capped shoes (supplied by student) and
• neatly presented, long comfortable work pants suitable for bending and manual work (supplied by student).

Essential Requirements

Throughout this course, you will need to:

• Collaborate in group settings using both verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Effectively communicate with clients, 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 steel toe-capped boots, 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 30 students.
• Attend practical classes with a maximum of 10 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 of manual work, including lifting equipment, restraining animals, bending, as well as 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.