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  4. Certificate II in Animal Care
QUALIFICATION

Certificate II in Animal Care


 National Code: ACM20121
 TAFE SA Code: TP01265


2025 start

Description

The Certificate II in Animal Care is your entry point to working with animals. Gain the essential skills and knowledge you need to work in a variety of settings such as animal shelters, kennels, catteries, sanctuaries, pet shops, and veterinary clinics. You’ll learn about animal care, communication, companion animals, hygiene, feeding and watering, animal health care and workplace safety. Become an animal care attendant, animal shelter attendant, kennel hand, cattery attendant, pet shop assistant, or assistant dog groomer. Once completed, you can choose to further your skills with a Certificate IV or Diploma.

PLEASE NOTE: This course is intended for people who are not attending high school / secondary school.

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Duration
Example Career Profile
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6 months 

Part Time

Animal Attendant
Animal Attendant
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Locations & Applications

Competitive Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Gilles Plains

540300

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Part Time Part Time
Day Only
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On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

  • No course admission requirements
If there are more applications for this course than places available, applicants will be ranked by date of application to this course.

Please Read Before Applying

Industry Conditions and Skills
You will need to have good communication skills, the ability to complete basic numeracy calculations, ability to stand for extended periods of time and meet the physical demands of manual handling, basic computer skills and access to reliable internet, ability to manage own allergies relevant to animal industries.

Additional Uniforms, Equipment and Costs
$35.00 for a scrub top.

Fees

Total Fees for the 6 month course
Subsidised
$260
Concession
$260
You may be eligible for government subsidised training.
Subsidised Training Eligibility
Subsidised training may require applicants to complete a Core Skills Profile Assessment (CSPA).
What is the CSPA?
Full Fee
$2,380

Fees vary depending on subjects you enrol into. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to make any changes necessary. Fee updates will be available prior to offers being made.

  • Help with Fees

    Upfront Payment

    Each semester, fees can be paid online with VISA or Mastercard or at an Australia Post outlet.

    Read More

    Payment Plan

    If you have difficulty paying your fees upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

    Read More

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    This is a general qualification for entry into sectors of the animal care and management industry, where workers provide care for animals in workplaces such as animal shelters, kennels, catteries, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics. At this level, work takes place under direct supervision within clearly defined guidelines for work activities. Job role titles covered by this qualification may include animal care attendant, animal shelter attendant, kennel hand, cattery attendant, pet shop attendant, assistant dog groomer.

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Certificate II in Animal Care (ACM20121)
    This course provides skills in animal care, communication, hygiene, feeding and watering, animal health care and workplace safety. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 7 core units and 5 elective units.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Apply communication skills 40
    Assist in health care of animals 40
    Complete animal care hygiene routines 30
    Feed and water animals 40
    Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices 20
    Participate in workplace health and safety processes 40
    Work in the animal care industry 30

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Explore job opportunities in animal care and related industries 10
    Provide basic animal first aid 40
    Provide enrichment for animals 40
    Provide reception services for an animal care facility 30
    Source and provide information for animal care needs 40

Further Information

Brochure

Course guide

Brochure

Pre-enrolment Brochure

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

Certificate II in Animal Care
TP01265
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