- On Campus
- Online with workshops
Course Overview
Intakes
- 2025
2025 Intake
Intake Date | Campus | Attendance Days |
---|---|---|
30/01/2025 | Warragul | Monday, Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm |
21/07/2025 | Warragul | Monday, Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm |
22/07/2025 | Yallourn | Tuesday, Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm |
About this course
If you love animals and the idea of working in an animal care role, this course is the place to start.
This nationally recognised qualification is the first step to start your career path into the animal care industry. You will gain the skills and knowledge required to care for animals in workplaces such as animal shelters, kennels, catteries, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics. During this course you will have the opportunity to build your professional networks through meeting other students and industry specialist guest speakers.
Our Certificate II in Animal Care will teach you basic animal handling and first aid, assisting in caring for animals, work health and safety, workplace communication and participating in work placement. At this level, work takes place under direct supervision within clearly defined guidelines for work activities.
Your face-to-face learning will also be enhanced through excursions and industry visits, case studies, peer-to-peer learning and real-life experiences under the guidance of our specialist trainers.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care, students will have gained skills and knowledge to seek employment in the animal care industry. Common job roles for certificate II level employees include but are not limited to:
• Assistant animal care worker
• Assistant animal shelter attendant
• Assistant kennel hand
• Assistant cattery attendant
Job roles within the animal care industry require stamina and physical fitness to allow you to safely handle animals in the workplace.
Opportunities for Further Study
After achieving this qualification candidates may apply to undertake ACM30121 - Certificate III in Animal Care Services and/or ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Both of these qualifications are offered at TAFE Gippsland.
Skills or Knowledge gained
Students will gain the skills and knowledge to assist in the animal care industry. This includes basic animal handling and first aid, assisting in caring for animals, work health and safety, workplace communication and participating in work placement. At certificate II level, work takes place under direct supervision within clearly defined guidelines for work activities.
Entry Requirements
Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes
Recommended entry Requirements:
It is recommended that students own or have access to a minimum of two (2) different species of animals in order to meet assessment requirements. Additionally some units of competency require students to have access to animals a varying life stages e.g. puppy and adult dog, in order to meet their learning needs and support the achievement of assessment outcomes.
Limitations to course Entry:
Students must have access to a reliable internet connection.
Students must have access to a computer or tablet that will support course work to be completed in our Learning Management System Moodle. We recommend that this also includes a headset (integrated microphone and earphones).
This job role also requires candidates to have a good level of physical fitness to allow them to safely handle animals in the workplace. This includes the ability to bend, lift and be on their feet most of the day.
Minimum Industry Requirement
Not applicable.
Licensing/Regulatory Requirements
Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: No
Qualifications and Recognition - 2025
Upon successful completion of this course students will be eligible to receive the Certificate II in Animal Care.
Work Placement - 2025
Does this course require placement?: Yes
Whilst the training package does not stipulate mandatory work placement, there is a requirement for three units of competency to be assessed in an Animal Care facility.
Placement to be arranged by: Student
Course Overview
Intakes
- 2025
2025 Intake
Intake Date | Campus | Attendance Days |
---|---|---|
04/02/2025 | Warragul | Tuesday 10:00am-12:00pm |
22/07/2025 | Warragul | Tuesday 10:00am-12:00pm |
About this course
If you love animals and the idea of working in an animal care role, this nationally recognised qualification is the place to start.
Delivered online, you will also take part in scheduled workshops and excursions, gaining the skills and knowledge required to care for animals in workplaces such as animal shelters, kennels, catteries, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics and build your professional networks through meeting other students and industry specialist guest speakers.
Our Certificate II in Animal Care will teach you basic animal handling and first aid, assisting in caring for animals, work health and safety, workplace communication and participating in work placement. At this level, work takes place under direct supervision within clearly defined guidelines for work activities.
Your face-to-face learning will also be enhanced through excursions and industry visits, case studies, peer-to-peer learning and real-life experiences under the guidance of our specialist trainers.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care, students will have gained skills and knowledge to seek employment in the animal care industry. Common job roles for certificate II level employees include but are not limited to:
• Assistant animal care worker
• Assistant animal shelter attendant
• Assistant kennel hand
• Assistant cattery attendant
Job roles within the animal care industry require stamina and physical fitness to allow you to safely handle animals in the workplace.
Opportunities for Further Study
After achieving this qualification candidates may apply to undertake ACM30121 - Certificate III in Animal Care Services and/or ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Both of these qualifications are offered at TAFE Gippsland.
Skills or Knowledge gained
Students will gain the skills and knowledge to assist in the animal care industry. This includes basic animal handling and first aid, assisting in caring for animals, work health and safety, workplace communication and participating in work placement. At certificate II level, work takes place under direct supervision within clearly defined guidelines for work activities.
Entry Requirements
Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes
Recommended entry Requirements:
It is recommended that students own or have access to a minimum of two (2) different species of animals in order to meet assessment requirements. Additionally some units of competency require students to have access to animals a varying life stages e.g. puppy and adult dog, in order to meet their learning needs and support the achievement of assessment outcomes.
Limitations to course Entry:
Students must have access to a reliable internet connection.
Students must have access to a computer or tablet that will support course work to be completed in our Learning Management System Moodle. We recommend that this also includes a headset (integrated microphone and earphones).
This job role also requires candidates to have a good level of physical fitness to allow them to safely handle animals in the workplace. This includes the ability to bend, lift and be on their feet most of the day.
Minimum Industry Requirement
Not applicable.
Licensing/Regulatory Requirements
Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: No
Qualifications and Recognition - 2025
Upon successful completion of this course students will be eligible to receive the Certificate II in Animal Care.
Work Placement - 2025
Does this course require placement?: No
Further Information - 2025
Fees
Fees and charges | Government subsidised concession | Government subsidised | Full-fee paying student |
---|---|---|---|
Maximum full course tuition fee* (GST exempt) | $399.90 | $1,999.50 | $5,654.50 |
Materials fee* (GST exempt) | $375.00 | $375.00 | $375.00 |
Total | $774.90 | $2,374.50 | $6,029.50 |
VET Student Loans
Not Applicable for this course
Help with fees
Sample course units
Further Information - 2025
Fees
Fees and charges | Government subsidised concession | Government subsidised | Full-fee paying student |
---|---|---|---|
Maximum full course tuition fee* (GST exempt) | $399.90 | $1,999.50 | $5,654.50 |
Materials fee* (GST exempt) | $370.00 | $370.00 | $370.00 |
Total | $769.90 | $2,369.50 | $6,024.50 |
VET Student Loans
Not Applicable for this course