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Are you passionate about horses and their care? Looking to further your knowledge or focus on a career in the equine industry? Our nationally recognised ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care is a unique training course for those passionate about all things equine! A career working with horses is extremely rewarding and satisfying, and this qualification is a great way to make your dream become reality!
This course is delivered online and you will not be required to attend classes or lectures. You will:-
To gain the valuable practical skills required to successfully complete this course, you will need access to at least three different calm, consistent and obedient horses. This can be with your own horses, through contacts that you have in the horse care industry or by approaching equine facilities in your local area. You will need to arrange to have your practical skills supervised by a competent person, your supervisor. Your chosen supervisor should be: A person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience, the knowledge and skills to ensure your safety whilst you are interacting with horses.
Your chosen equine facility will enable you to put into practice the theory components of the course, develop essential hands-on skills that are necessary for a career in the horse care industry and complete the compulsory practical assignments that are an important part of the assessment towards your qualification. Ideal equine facilities might include agistment centres, riding schools, trail riding centres, animal welfare shelters or equestrian centres.
We encourage our students to select an equine facility that will be most suited to their chosen interest in the horse care industry. We can provide guidance as to how to select and approach a suitable facility.
At your chosen equine facility you will be expected to complete all practical assignments, which are an essential part of the assessment criteria for this course.
Here’s a few important points about your chosen equine facility:-
We have practical training opportunities at a local Perth Stable. Learn more here
The Certificate II in Horse Care is a great building block for those with an interest in horse care. There are no prerequisites for entry into this course, however, to enrol in this course you will need to:-
All students will be contacted by the Equine Program Manager to ensure they meet the criteria listed above. Please note: Riding is not compulsory for this course.
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:-
When you visit your chosen horse care facility for your practical training you will be required to wear:
You will be required to wear the AVT uniform unless specified by the equine facility.
You will complete 14 units of study covering a broad range of topics relating to the principles of working in the animal care industry. You will be introduced to:-
All of the skills and knowledge you will learn can be applied across a broad range of horse care facilities. For more information on jobs and careers in this industry, read our article Ten Rewarding Careers that Involve Working with Horses.
Our graduates go on to a wide range of roles across the equine and animal care industry.
Students who have completed the Certificate II in Horse Care go on to careers as a:
This qualification can also provide a basis for further study at Certificate III or IV level including AVT’s Vet Nursing course and provides an accredited equine-related qualification for those wishing to pursue further studies.
As well as becoming confident in handling horses, here are some of the skills you will be able to apply once qualified:-
ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care is comprised of 14 units covering the principles of working in the equine and horse care industry. You will be required to study the units listed below:-
You will also be required to study the following compulsory elective unit:-
*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.
Payable via our monthly payment plan. Initial payment of $265 plus 11 x $230 monthly payments and includes:-
*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.
Course Status | Application Status |
|---|---|
ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care Online eLearning Applications Open |
Ready to enrol? It’s easy, just complete our online application form. Once we have received and reviewed your submission you will receive an email outlining the next steps to get started.
AVT offers high quality study material written, reviewed and delivered by Veterinarians, Animal Scientists and Veterinary Nurses with formal training qualifications. Our in-house training team have spent hundreds, if not thousands of hours creating course resources for our units of competency across all courses.
The difference between registered training providers course content across all RTOs including TAFE is often the units contained in the course and the quality of the material. There are many units that can be included in a course and training providers nominate a selection of units they will offer to students.
Our courses are broad-based and give an excellent introduction to working with animals across all species. They provide a fantastic opportunity to learn about many different animals and most importantly allow you to apply what you learn from our online course material or in the classroom to the workplace.
To find out more about the units offered within each course visit the Course Content section on our qualifications pages below.
Individuals employed by a business under an Apprenticeship or Traineeship arrangement can nominate any RTO (Registered Training Provider) with the relevant qualifications on scope to provide training for their chosen qualification, provided that RTO has the capacity to deliver the qualification under traineeship conditions.
Often the choice of RTO is a joint decision made between the Employer and the Trainee/Apprentice, to ensure the mode of delivery is suitable for both Trainee and Employer needs,
AVT currently only accepts new entrant traineeship nominations for ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies, where the trainee has an approved training contract registered with the Apprenticeship Office.
Further information about Apprenticeships and Traineeships can be found at www.apprenticeshipsupport.com.au/states/Western-Australia
We do not hold a formal Open Day, however we often attend careers expos and events organised by schools. Throughout the year we conduct information sessions which are offered by invitation. If you are interested in attending one of these sessions please contact us
We have a team of highly qualified trainers and assessors who have worked in various areas of the animal industry (take a look at our ‘Meet Our Team’ page). Our trainers and assessors are always on hand to answer any questions or provide further support, explanations or clarification of any of the course material. They will mentor and coach you through the course material when required. You can contact our lecturers via phone, email or video call.
Please read our important information about our courses, lessons and COVID-19 here
Animal Care and Animal Studies
Certificate II in Animal Care and III in Animal Studies are Online Courses with the exception of the on-campus courses below:
For the online courses, you do not need to attend lessons. A majority of your study will take place at home, online. You will also need to attend an approved workplace to complete practical training. All assessments are completed and submitted online.
Horse Care
Our Certificate in Horse Care is an Online Course. You do not need to attend lessons and you can carry out all of your studies from home. You will also attend practical training at a horse care facility where you will complete assessments and skills worksheets. All assessments are then completed and submitted online.
Veterinary Nursing
Our Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing course is offered in either an online eLearning mode or on-campus mode. If you are applying for the on-campus mode, you will be expected to attend classes at our campus each week throughout the term. If you are applying for the online mode, you do not need to attend classes.
All online eLearning students from both Animal Studies, Horse Care and Veterinary Nursing qualifications are invited to attend workshops throughout the year. These helpful training sessions provide practical experience and give you face to face access to our lecturers and tutors. Workshops are held at our campus in Perth, Western Australia. For more information visit our Workshops Page
The table below details the duration and maximum allowable time you can take to complete our courses. Our online courses are self-paced, meaning you can obtain your qualification much sooner if you wish to as long as all assessments and training have been successfully completed.
Extensions are available on a case by case review. For more information about extensions please visit our Student Policies page.
| Qualification | Duration |
|---|---|
| ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care | 1 Year |
| ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies+ | 1 Year |
| ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care++ | 1 Year |
| ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies+ | 1 year |
| ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Online | 2 years |
+ The ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies and ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies have been updated by the regulating bodies to meet the Standards for Training Packages. As such, ACM20117 has been superseded by ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care, and ACM30117 has been superseded by ACM30121 Certificate III in Animal Care Services. All students currently studying ACM20117 or ACM30117 will be expected to complete the qualification by their original course end date or 12th April 2023 (whichever is sooner). No extensions will be granted.
++ High school students (enrolled in High School or equivalent) may take up to 2 years to complete this course.
Yes, our qualifications in Vet Nursing, Horse Care and Animal Studies/Care are nationally recognised and accredited.
Our company, Applied Vocational Training (AVT), is fully registered by 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.
We are also supported and endorsed by the Australian Veterinary Association. 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.
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.
None of the courses currently offered by Applied Vocational Training are 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. VET Student Loans replaces VET FEE-HELP from 1 January 2017. 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 .
Concession fees are available to eligible students only through our courses which have been granted government funding. Currently, this applies to the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing for students that are residing within Western Australia and our Certificate II in Animal Care Intensive (Animal Health and Welfare). For more information on the eligibility criteria please see the fees section of the course page.
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.
In some cases, registered training organisations (RTOs) may enrol non-resident students who are temporarily visiting or reside in Australia on certain visas, other than study visas. However, some visas include restrictions on training. Most visas and sub-class visas clearly outline what your study rights are in Australia. It is the responsibility of the individual to check their study and work rights according to their individual visa.
Further information is also available from the Department of Home Affairs.
Students wishing to be considered for funded places in the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing should visit this page for more detailed information about eligibility.
Related FAQ’s:
In some cases, a registered training organisation (RTO) may enrol students who are temporarily visiting or reside in Australia on certain visas, other than study visas. However, some visas include restrictions on training. Most visas and sub-class visas clearly outline what your study rights are in Australia. It is the responsibility of the individual to check their study and work rights according to their individual visa* . Further information is also available from the Department of Home Affairs.
*Any course undertaken by a student visa holder must be registered on CRICOS and training must be provided by a CRICOS registered provider (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students). Applied Vocational Training is not a registered CRICOS provider and as such we are unable to accept applications from individuals wishing to study on a student visa.
Related FAQ’s:
I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?
I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?
Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS
This answer specifically addresses students who wish to study in Australia on a Student Visa.
Unfortunately, we are unable to assist individuals with studying as an international student as we do not hold the required CRICOS registration “The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.
The following link outlines the main steps to be taken to be able to study in Australia homeaffairs.gov.au. This will require applying for a student visa under the Vocational Education and Training Sector. However, you will need to have been accepted into a full-time study course by a CRICOS approved provider and then apply for the student visa. These normally take approximately 46 days to process.
You may find CRICOS registered training institutions in Australia who can offer qualifications to international students. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions hold CRICOS registration and offer courses in Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing.
Related FAQ’s:
Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?
I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?
Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?
Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS
This answer specifically addresses international students who wish to study in Australia on a Student Visa.
Unfortunately, we are unable to assist individuals with studying as an international student in Australia as we do not have the necessary registration with our government to enrol students in Australia on a Student Visa. The required registration for this is CRICOS ‘The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students’.
To find out more about studying in Australia we recommend visiting the Australian Government website: homeaffairs.gov.au. This will require applying for a student visa under the Vocational Education and Training Sector. However, you will need to have been accepted into a full-time study course by a CRICOS approved provider and then apply for the student visa. These normally take approximately 46 days to process.
You may find CRICOS registered training institutions in Australia who can offer qualifications to international students. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions hold CRICOS registration and offer courses in Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing
Related FAQ’s:
Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?
I wish to study in Australia on a student visa. Can I study with Applied Vocational Training?
I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?
I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?
Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS
All qualifications offered by Applied Vocational Training require students to learn and demonstrate knowledge and practical application of a significant amount of Australian local and state legislation, regulations and standards.
In other countries, legislation, regulations and standards are often different, making it difficult for us to assess and recognise competence in all areas.
As such, Applied Vocational Training no longer accepts applications from students living overseas*
* Individuals who currently live overseas but are intending to return and or/live in Australia may be considered for enrolment. If such enrolment were to occur it would not be possible for any certification to be awarded until the student could be assessed as competent in Australia, regardless of the amount of course work completed overseas.
Related FAQ’s:
Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?
I wish to study in Australia on a student visa. Can I study with Applied Vocational Training?
Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?
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.
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.
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.
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:-
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.
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.
AVT students who have successfully completed ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies with AVT and wish to study ACM20217 Certificate II in Horse Care will receive up to 5 credits towards units of competency. As such the course cost will be reduced.
Students who have completed a Certificate II in Animal Studies with an alternative training provider will need to apply for credit transfers. The number of credits will depend on the units of competency successfully completed. Learn more in our FAQ here
AVT has been training Animal Care and Vet Nursing students for over 20 years. It's safe to say there are no plumbing or hairdressing courses here!
ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies is a prerequisite for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Completing our Animal Studies course is the best pathway to becoming a Qualified Vet Nurse.
Our qualified teaching team have many years of experience as well as extensive backgrounds in the veterinary and animal care industry. They are approachable and dedicated to helping students succeed.
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Swan Valley Dressage Association (SVDA) based in Western Australia aims to raise the profile of dressage by encouraging excellence, increasing participation and by showcasing the sport whilst always respecting the welfare of horses. AVT is thrilled to support SVDA events in Western Australia in 2021.
Vet Nursing and Animal Studies courses and qualifications for students wishing to pursue a career working with animals. AVT is based in Perth, Western Australia servicing students studying throughout Australia. Learn More
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) Registered Training Provider No.5273