Course History

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Version Effective: 19th of July, 2022

ACM20121 - Certificate II in Animal Care

Course Details

Course Summary

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for entry level and support roles in the animal care and management industry, where workers provide care for animals in workplaces such as animal shelters, boarding/day care facilities, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics. The work activities are routine, performed under supervision and within clearly defined guidelines.


Entry Requirements

There are no current Training Package entry requirements into this qualification.

Students will be exposed to deceased animals in photo and video footage during the online learning and may be required to handle them during their work placement.

Students are required to:

  • Complete the bksb (Basic key Skills Builder) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment unless they have completed an equal or higher-level course.
  • Have reasonable reading and writing skills, as well as basic numeracy skills to complete workbooks, assignments, learning activities and assessment tasks.
  • Access a computer / tablet / smartphone with internet access, camera, microphone and speakers.
  • Access Microsoft Teams, to attend weekly Microsoft Team tutorials.
  • Use Microsoft Teams for online assessment components.
  • Handle live animals and require a reasonable level of physical fitness to be able to complete the practical components of the course.
  • Prior to enrolment, engage with their local area Animal Industry Care providers to find suitable work placement and commit to approximately 120 hours (3 weeks) of vocational placement over the duration of the course.


Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

Students must complete a Vocational Placement and/or Work Integrated Learning as part of this qualification.

Additional information

  • Students who are not already working in the industry will be required to undertake work experience to complete their practical assessment. Co-assessment with a supervisor is required.

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $3,732.00 (2024)
$3,864.00 (2025)
Subsidised Full Fee $948.00 (2024)
$972.00 (2025)
Subsidised Concession Fee $252.00 (2024)
$264.00 (2025)
Fee for service per unit $311.00 (2024)
$322.00 (2025)
Subsidised full fee per unit $79.00 (2024)
$81.00 (2025)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $156.00 (2024)
$242.00 (2025)
For detailed information on Course Fees, visit www.cqu.edu.au/fees
Application Mode
  • Direct To University
How to Apply Please Enquire or Apply Now
Study Area
  • Science and Environment
Skill Area
  • Rural Industries
AQF Level Level 2: Certificate II

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

Students completing ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care can enter the workforce in a supervised role as a Kennel Hand, Pet Shop Assistant, Animal Attendant or similar role

Course Structures

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete 7 core units
  2. Complete 5 elective units

Study Mode Definitions

  • Online: Online courses provide the flexibility to study without normally requiring a student to visit a campus. Course content is studied through a number of means including the use of online discussion forums, electronic library resources, by contacting lecturers and teachers, and receiving study materials online/electronically. Work integrated learning, including placements, may be included in some courses.
  • On-campus: Students studying in on-campus mode typically are expected to attend and participate in regular, structured on-campus teaching and learning activities throughout the University’s academic term. These activities may include lectures, tutorials, workshops and practice, online or other activities and normally will be timetabled at a CQUniversity campus or approved delivery site.
  • Mixed Mode: Students studying in mixed mode will participate in a combination of online learning activities in addition to site-specific learning activities, which may include residential schools, co-op placements and/or work-integrated learning as a compulsory requirement of a unit. The additional site-specific learning activities are what differentiates a mixed-mode unit from an online unit.

*All study modes may include Vocational placement and/or work integrated learning.

Select a course structure below to view the delivery details, including the different study modes offered for each structure.

Please select a course structure from the options below:
Start TAFE Now (STN - High School)

12 months (Commence March 2022 - Complete by March 2023 / Commence July 2022 - Complete by July 2023)

  • Online
Cluster One - Introduction to the Animal Care Work Environment
BSBCMM211 Apply communication skills More Information Training.gov Details
ACMWHS201 Participate in workplace health and safety processes More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN201 Work in the animal care industry More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster Two - Introduction to Animal Husbandry
ACMGEN202 Complete animal care hygiene routines More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN203 Feed and water animals More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN204 Assist in health care of animals More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster Three - Introduction to Sustainability and Customer Experience
ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs More Information Training.gov Details
BSBOPS203 Deliver a service to customers More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster Four - Intermediate Animal Knowledge and First Aid

NB: ACMGEN309 Provide Basic Animal First Aid is a compulsory unit under Cluster 4.

A remaining two (2) units must be chosen from the list below:

  • ACMGEN314
  • ACMSPE317
  • ACMSPE320
  • ACMSPE316

The choice of units is dependent on the species of animals students have access to. Students MUST seek advice from the teacher before enrolling in these Cluster 4 units.

ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid More Information Training.gov Details
ACMSPE320 Provide general care of mammals More Information Training.gov Details
ACMSPE317 Provide general care of domestic cats More Information Training.gov Details
ACMSPE316 Provide general care of domestic dogs More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN314 Identify Animal Anatomy and Physiology for Animal Care Work More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Below is the recommended study sequence for this course. Please enrol in your units as per the following order.
Units with the same sequence number should be enrolled into at the same time.
Sequence Unit
1 BSBCMM211 - Apply communication skills
2 ACMWHS201 - Participate in workplace health and safety processes
3 ACMGEN201 - Work in the animal care industry
4 ACMGEN202 - Complete animal care hygiene routines
5 ACMGEN203 - Feed and water animals
6 ACMGEN204 - Assist in health care of animals
7 ACMSUS201 - Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
8 ACMGEN205 - Source and provide information for animal care needs
9 BSBOPS203 - Deliver a service to customers
10 ACMGEN309 - Provide basic animal first aid
11 ACMSPE320 - Provide general care of mammals
11 ACMSPE317 - Provide general care of domestic cats
11 ACMSPE316 - Provide general care of domestic dogs
11 ACMGEN314 - Identify Animal Anatomy and Physiology for Animal Care Work


Standard Course Structure

12 months (Commence March 2022 - Complete by March 2023 / Commence July 2022 - Complete by July 2023)

  • Online
Cluster One - Introduction to the Animal Care Work Environment
BSBCMM211 Apply communication skills More Information Training.gov Details
ACMWHS201 Participate in workplace health and safety processes More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN201 Work in the animal care industry More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster Two - Introduction to Animal Husbandry
ACMGEN202 Complete animal care hygiene routines More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN203 Feed and water animals More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN204 Assist in health care of animals More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster Three - Introduction to Sustainability and Customer Experience
ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs More Information Training.gov Details
BSBOPS203 Deliver a service to customers More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster Four - Intermediate Animal Knowledge and First Aid

NB: ACMGEN309 Provide Basic Animal First Aid is a compulsory unit under Cluster 4.

A remaining two (2) units must be chosen from the list below:

  • ACMGEN314
  • ACMSPE317
  • ACMSPE320
  • ACMSPE316

The choice of units is dependent on the species of animals students have access to. Students MUST seek advice from the teacher before enrolling in these Cluster 4 units.

ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid More Information Training.gov Details
ACMSPE317 Provide general care of domestic cats More Information Training.gov Details
ACMSPE320 Provide general care of mammals More Information Training.gov Details
ACMSPE316 Provide general care of domestic dogs More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN314 Identify Animal Anatomy and Physiology for Animal Care Work More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Below is the recommended study sequence for this course. Please enrol in your units as per the following order.
Units with the same sequence number should be enrolled into at the same time.
Sequence Unit
1 BSBCMM211 - Apply communication skills
2 ACMWHS201 - Participate in workplace health and safety processes
3 ACMGEN201 - Work in the animal care industry
4 ACMGEN202 - Complete animal care hygiene routines
5 ACMGEN203 - Feed and water animals
6 ACMGEN204 - Assist in health care of animals
7 ACMSUS201 - Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
8 ACMGEN205 - Source and provide information for animal care needs
9 BSBOPS203 - Deliver a service to customers
10 ACMGEN309 - Provide basic animal first aid
11 ACMSPE317 - Provide general care of domestic cats
11 ACMSPE320 - Provide general care of mammals
11 ACMSPE316 - Provide general care of domestic dogs
11 ACMGEN314 - Identify Animal Anatomy and Physiology for Animal Care Work


Course Assessment Information

RPL - Students who have previous informal and formal learning need to advise their trainer/assessor prior to enrolment. If the student wishes to apply for an RPL they need to apply to the RPL Centre.
Credit transfer - If credit for relevant formal qualifications is sought, then the process will be actioned after the student has enrolled in at least one unit of competency as directed by the relevant trainer/assessor. The Trainer/Assessor will work with the student on their credit transfer application, and provide advice and support as necessary.
Assessment Types
Third Party Verification
Practical Task
Written/Electronic Assessment
RPL
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?
Please view the more details information for any additional information related to this course.

Domestic 2022 Availabilities

Start TAFE Now (STN - High School)

Online
March: Part Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
July: Part Time

Standard Course Structure

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Domestic 2023 Availabilities

Start TAFE Now (STN - High School)

Online
February: Part Time
July: Part Time

Standard Course Structure

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Domestic 2024 Availabilities

Start TAFE Now (STN - High School)

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.

Standard Course Structure

There are currently no intakes scheduled for this course structure.
For individual class days and times for each intake please check the TAFE Timetable located here
The availabilities shown above are for the current and future years. To view any historic availabilities please press "Show Historic Availabilities" below:

Show Historic Availabilities
More Details

More Details

July 2023 Cohort 2 Course Commencement 

Course starts 17th July 2023.  Tutorials commence on Tuesday 18th July. Tutorial details are found in the unit Moodle site. 

 

February 2025 Cohort 1 Course Commencement 

Course starts 3rd February 2025.  Tutorials commence on Tuesday 4th February. Tutorial details are found in the unit Moodle site. 


Practical Placement Information

 

Most units in this course have a mandatory practical component. Students who are not already working in the industry will be required to  undertake work experience to complete their practical assessment. Co-assessment with a supervisor is required.

 

Prior to enrolment, students are required to engage with their local area Animal Industry Care providers to find suitable work placement and commit to approximately 120 hours (3 weeks) of vocational placement over the duration of the course.  

 

Where to find placement

 

Veterinary Clinics

Wildlife Hospitals

Mobile Veterinary Services

Riding for Disabled (RDA)

Retail Pet Stores

RSPCA

Rural Produce Shops that sell retail and animals

Council Pounds

Livestock Farms, Feedlots and Dairies

Animal Shelters

Pet Groomers

Animal Sanctuaries

Boarding Kennels/Catteries

Animal Research Facilities

Zoos

Animals for the entertainment industry (for example Melville’s Farm or The Outback Spectacular)

Petting Zoos

Please note: to cover the assessment criteria in the co-assessment document under each of the units, more than one placement may be required. This will depend on the services that business provides.

 

 

Microsoft Teams tutorial information for enrolled students

 

The tutorials are very important as they give you a platform to ask content specific questions in a live session with your teacher and fellow students.  Please make every effort to attend these tutorials with your content questions.

  

3pm - 5pm drop-in on Tuesday afternoons

Tutorial Link can be accessed through all unit Moodle sites

 

10am - 12noon drop-in on Thursday mornings

Tutorial Link can be accessed through all unit Moodle sites

 

 

If you have any queries please contact us at  animalstudies@cqu.edu.au.