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Animal Care

ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (RSPCA)

Is your dream is to work with animals?

This course offers the opportunity to study at the RSPCA in Malaga WA

If you’ve always dreamed of working with animals and are passionate about their care and well-being, then the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services – RSPCA Program is the perfect way to get started.

This nationally recognised qualification will equip you with skills and knowledge required to work in a broad range of roles in animal care facilities and services. AVT’s course offers a unique opportunity for hands-on learning at the RSPCA WA. Immerse yourself in the world of animal care and animal studies with our RSPCA Program, which includes two days of classes per week:

  • 1 day at the renowned RSPCA shelter facility in Malaga WA, and
  • 1 day at AVT’s purpose built Animal Care Facility in Ascot

This course is designed to provide you with comprehensive training in animal care services. You’re not required to find a work placement because all your essential practical training will take place at the RSPCA and AVT. Our fully qualified Trainer and Assessors will guide you through the practical aspects and deliver engaging classroom-based course material, supplemented online learning from the comfort of your home.

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:
6 months

Next intake: December 2024

Application status: Apply now

Attendance: 2 days per week (1 day at the RSPCA WA + 1 Day at AVT Ascot)

Delivery: Blended learning

Fees: Subsidised fees start from just $1,280.72*

Prerequisite: No prior qualifications are required

Best suited to: Students and Job Seekers with some experience in the animal care industry and want to increase their knowledge and skills working with animals, including those who wish to continue their study pathway to Veterinary Nursing or Animal Behaviour and Training

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Course outline

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:

Course commencement
Your course begins at AVT with a full training day. You’ll meet your Trainer and fellow classmates. This will be followed by an induction and practical training day at the RSPCA WA in Malaga. This induction program covers essential workplace health and safety policies and procedures. Completion of this induction is required before you can start your training at the RSPCA.

Ongoing practical training
Weekly practical training will occur over the duration of the course. This includes:

  • 1 day per week at AVT’s campus in Ascot for practical training and classroom-based learning. Training will be held from 8:00am – 4:30pm on Monday.
  • 1 day per week at the RSPCA’s facility in Malaga, where you’ll receive intensive practical training from qualified AVT trainers. Training will be held from 7:30am – 4:00pm on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday*.
  • You will also complete and submit assessments through home-based online eLearning.

Assessments
Towards the end of the course, you will have time to catch up on any outstanding assessments. 

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.

Students must:

  • Complete a pre-training review, including a language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) assessment. More info about the LLN >>
  • 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

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.

What will you learn?

The Animal Care Services – RSPCA Program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to excel in a wide range of roles within animal care facilities and services. With an emphasis on identifying and interpreting behaviours in animals, you’ll have the unique opportunity to work alongside the dedicated RSPCA behavioural team. This experience is invaluable for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in the animal care industry.

In addition to the topics covered in ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services course you will be introduced to:

  • Identifying and interpreting species-specific normal and abnormal behaviours and their possible causes
  • Safely and correctly handling and restraining animals to reduce stress
  • Designing and implementing enrichment programs for different animal species
  • Detailed nutrition plans, including their use in the recovery of strays and mistreated animals
  • Assessing, monitoring and caring for animals, including rehabilitation and care of rescued animals
  • Implementing animal care hygiene routines to reduce the risk of the spread of diseases
  • Foster care and its role in the animal welfare system
  • The RSPCA inspectorate and its role in managing animal care cases in the community
Animal Studies at the RSPCA students

All of the skills and knowledge you will learn in this animal care 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 outcomes

Our graduates go on to a wide range of roles across the animal care industry, and your journey doesn’t stop here. Depending on your career aspirations within the animal care industry, you have the opportunity to continue your studies. You can choose to pursue advanced qualifications such as the ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training or the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. These courses can open up exciting pathways for further advancement in the rewarding animal care industry.

Job outcomes

The Certificate III in Animal Care Services will prepare you for a career in the following roles:

  • Animal Welfare Carers
  • Veterinary Assistants 
  • Council Rangers and Park Rangers 
  • Wildlife and Animal Rehabilitation Carers 
  • Conservation Workers and Sanctuary Managers
  • Pet Service related Business Owners
  • Home-based Pet Service Assistants
  • Cattery Attendants and Boarding Kennel Hands
  • Animal Carers in Pet/Doggy Day Care centres
  • Stable Hands in Agistment Facilities

Career opportunities

Graduates from this course find career opportunities in a range of animal care organisations including:

  • Welfare and shelter organisations such as the RSPCA WA
  • Animal rehabilitation organisations and rehoming services
  • Boarding facilities including Kennels and Catteries
  • Veterinary clinics
  • Retail services including pet shops 
  • Stables and agistments
  • Dog training and behavioural services
  • At home services including self-employment in dog walking and pet sitting
  • Education and training services such as AVT

Course content

There are 17 total units of competency in this qualification:

  • ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals
  • ACMGEN303 Assess the welfare status of an animal
  • ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces
  • ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid
  • ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members
  • ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work
  • ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
  • ACMSPE316 Provide general care of domestic dogs
  • ACMSPE317 Provide general care of domestic cats
  • ACMGEN308 Walk and exercise dogs
  • ACMSPE322 Provide general care of rodents or rabbits
  • BSBXTW301 Work in a team
  • ACMBEH302 Provide enrichment for animals
  • ACMGEN311 Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing
  • ACMGEN312 Provide nutritional requirements for animals
  • ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs
  • ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable practices

Why choose this 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 Trainers delivering supervised practical training and assessment with a structured study timetable to ensure you stay on track and are learning from the best.
  • This course will allow you to meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Nursing – you can gain your qualification in 6 months 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 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.

*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

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. 

  • Funded concession: $1,280.72*
  • Funded non-concession: $3,650.67*
  • Full fee: $6,595*

Our fees include:

  • Learning guides (Downloadable)
  • Textbooks (Downloadable)
  • Dedicated Student Support
  • One-on-one mentoring by AVT Trainers
  • Assessments and Certification
  • Practical training insurance
  • Work Placement Kit: Uniform, hat, 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.

Apply now

Course Dates
Dec 2024 Intake
10 Dec 2024 - 27 June 2025
July 2025 Intake

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 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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