ACM30122 - Certificate III in Animal Care Services

Version Effective: 1st of January, 2025

Course Details

Course Summary

The Certificate III in Animal Care Services equips individuals with essential skills and knowledge for various roles within animal care facilities and services, including boarding/day care centres, animal shelters/holding centres, pet grooming, pet sitting, breeding, and other animal care businesses. Professionals in these positions handle a range of animal care responsibilities under supervision, using discretion and judgement in animal handling, selecting and operating tools and equipment, managing resources, and problem solving. They are accountable for their tasks, ensuring compliance with animal welfare standards, organising procedures, resolving issues, and adhering to schedules.  This qualification is ideal for those pursuing an apprenticeship or traineeship pathway in the animal care industry.

Requirements - To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.

Entry Requirements

Students must complete the Basic Key Skills Builder (bksb) online literacy and numeracy assessment prior to enrolment unless they have completed an equal or higher level course.

Placement Requirements 

  • Prior to admission, students are to engage with their local area Animal Industry Care providers to find suitable work placement.
  • Important information relating to Vocational Placement can be found in the Host Employer Information Pack.
  • During the application process, students must upload a signed and completed copy of the Vocational Placement Agreement found within the Host Employer Information Pack for approval.

Inherent Requirements

  • 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 Teams 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.
  • Please note: Students may be exposed to injured/deceased animals in photo and video footage during the online learning and may be required to handle them during their work placement.

Vocational Placement and Work Integrated Learning

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

Additional information

Gaining real world learning experience is a vital factor in successfully completing this qualification and preparing you to work effectively in the animal care industry.

To satisfy the practical requirements for eleven (11) of the seventeen (17) units within the Certificate III in Animal Care Services, it is recommended for students to complete a minimum of 180 hours of placement at an approved Animal Industry Care provider.

Course Details

Course Type Qualification
Student Availability
  • Domestic
Fees
Full Fee $6,018.00 (2026)
Subsidised Full Fee $2,091.00 (2026)
Subsidised Concession Fee $1,258.00 (2026)
Fee for service per unit $354.00 (2026)
Subsidised full fee per unit $123.00 (2026)
RPL Fee for service per Unit $266.00 (2026)
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
  • Animal Care/Veterinary Nursing
AQF Level Level 3: Certificate III

Admission Codes

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

Student Outcomes, Career Opportunities and Occupations

Common occupations for graduates of Certificate III in Animal Care Services include animal attendants, pet shop assistants, animal shelter workers, pet grooming assistants and non-clinical veterinary assistants. The qualification can also lead to further study, such as in veterinary nursing or animal technology.  

Course Structures
Online with vocational placement

Enrolment must follow the sequence of clusters outlined below.  This allows students to enrol into their unit/s in an optimised way for learning. 

As this course is competency based, and students can study at their own pace, it may be possible for learners to complete their training sooner if they have reached the required skill level.

 

  • Online
Cluster 1
ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 2
ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN314 Identify Animal Anatomy and Physiology for Animal Care Work More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 3
ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN303 Assess the welfare status of an animal More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN311 Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 4
ACMGEN312 Provide nutritional requirements for animals More Information Training.gov Details
ACMBEH302 Provide enrichment for animals More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 5
BSBOPS304 Deliver and monitor a service to customers More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN305 Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 6
ACMSPE316 Provide general care of domestic dogs More Information Training.gov Details
ACMSPE317 Provide general care of domestic cats More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid More Information Training.gov Details
Cluster 7
ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices More Information Training.gov Details
ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces More Information Training.gov Details

Unit Sequence

Sequence Unit
1 ACMWHS301 - Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
2 ACMGEN315 - Communicate effectively with clients and team members
3 ACMINF301 - Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work
4 ACMGEN314 - Identify Animal Anatomy and Physiology for Animal Care Work
5 ACMBEH301 - Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals
6 ACMGEN303 - Assess the welfare status of an animal
7 ACMGEN311 - Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing
8 ACMGEN312 - Provide nutritional requirements for animals
9 ACMBEH302 - Provide enrichment for animals
10 BSBOPS304 - Deliver and monitor a service to customers
11 ACMGEN305 - Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care
12 ACMGEN205 - Source and provide information for animal care needs
13 ACMSPE316 - Provide general care of domestic dogs
14 ACMSPE317 - Provide general care of domestic cats
15 ACMGEN309 - Provide basic animal first aid
16 ACMSUS201 - Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
17 ACMGEN304 - Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces


Course Assessment Information

Assessment Types
Written/Electronic Assessment
Practical Task
Third Party Verification
RPL
Course Learning Outcomes
Where and when can I start?

Domestic 2025 Availabilities

Online with vocational placement
Online
March: Full Time
April: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time
August: Full Time

Domestic 2026 Availabilities

Online with vocational placement
Online
February: Full Time/Part Time
March: Full Time/Part Time
July: Full Time/Part Time
August: Full Time/Part Time
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