- On Campus
- Online with workshops
Course Overview
Intakes
- 2025
2025 Intake
| Intake Date | Campus | Attendance Days |
|---|---|---|
| 30/01/2025 | Warragul | Tuesday, Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm |
| 22/07/2025 | Warragul | Tuesday, Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm |
About this course
Get your career started in the animal companion sector animals with this industry-recognised qualification.
Delivered mostly on campus, you'll build your professional networks, study flexibly and get the skills you need to work as an animal attendant or trainer in a variety of care settings such as animal shelters, veterinary clinics, kennels and catteries.
Learn through case studies, peer-to-peer learning and real-life experiences and lay the foundations to move into more specialised streams in the industry.
Look no further for a rewarding career with strong job growth and a future full of opportunities.
A Certificate III in Animal Care Services will give you the skills and knowledge required to work in a broad range of roles in animal care facilities and services, performing a variety of tasks which involve the proper handling of animals, selecting and operating tools and equipment, coordinating resources and problem solving.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, students will have gained skills and knowledge to seek employment in the companion animal care industry. Common job roles for certificate III level employees include but are not limited to:
• Pet shop/aquarium assistant
• Kennel attendant
• Cattery attendant
• Assistant dog trainer
• Pet exerciser
• Assistant grooming attendant
Opportunities for Further Study
After achieving this Qualification, candidates may undertake ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and/or ACM50119 Diploma of Animal Technology that defines higher level job functions.
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is offered as a qualification at TAFE Gippsland
Skills or Knowledge gained
Gain the skills and knowledge to assist in the animal care industry.
These include:
- Basic animal handling and first aid
- Assisting in caring for animals, animal first aid
- Sustainability and biosecurity in the workplace
- Work health and safety
- Workplace communication and
- Participating in work placement.
At Certificate III level, work takes place under supervision or under clearly defined guidelines for work activities. Through the duration of the course and work placement in the animal care industry individuals will build their capability to work independently in some situations and where some decision making maybe required.
It is recommended you complete a minimum of 80 hours of work placement in the animal care industry over the duration of the course.
Entry Requirements
Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes
Mandatory entry requirements:
Students need to have access to live animals in an animal care facility to support their assessment completion.
Recommended entry Requirements:
It is recommended that the student owns or has access to a minimum of two (2) different species of animals throughout the duration of this course, in order to meet their learning needs and support the achievement of assessment outcomes. It is further recommended that students engage in work placement or are employed in an animal care facility for a minimum of 80 hours throughout the duration of their course.
Limitations to course Entry:
Students must have access to a reliable internet connection that will support video conferencing.
Students must have access to a computer or tablet that will support course work to be completed in our learning Management System Moodle. This also needs to include a headset (integrated microphone and earphones).
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 III in Animal Care Services.
Work Placement - 2025
Does this course require placement?: Yes
Whilst the qualification does not specify a workplace requirement, there is a requirement to assess three units of competency in the workplace. TAFE Gippsland recommends that the student completes a minimum of 80 hours of work placement in the animal care industry (Equivalent to 1 day per week (8 hours/day)over 10 weeks = 80 hours of work placement.).
Students will have access to our department placement coordinator who can assist them in locating appropriate placement opportunities. However placement remains the responsibility of the student.
Placement to be arranged by: Student
Course Overview
Intakes
- 2025
2025 Intake
| Intake Date | Campus | Attendance Days |
|---|---|---|
| 30/01/2025 | Warragul | Monday, Thursday 4:00pm-6:00pm |
| 21/07/2025 | Warragul | Monday, Thursday 4:00pm-6:00pm |
About this course
Get your career started in the animal companion sector animals with this industry-recognised qualification.
Delivered mostly online, you'll build your professional networks, study flexibly and get the skills you need to work as an animal attendant or trainer in a variety of care settings such as animal shelters, veterinary clinics, kennels and catteries.
Learn through case studies, peer-to-peer learning and real-life experiences and lay the foundations to move into more specialised streams in the industry.
Look no further for a rewarding career with strong job growth and a future full of opportunities.
A Certificate III in Animal Care Services will give you the skills and knowledge required to work in a broad range of roles in animal care facilities and services, performing a variety of tasks which involve the proper handling of animals, selecting and operating tools and equipment, coordinating resources and problem solving.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, students will have gained skills and knowledge to seek employment in the companion animal care industry. Common job roles for certificate III level employees include but are not limited to:
• Pet shop/aquarium assistant
• Kennel attendant
• Cattery attendant
• Assistant dog trainer
• Pet exerciser
• Assistant grooming attendant
Opportunities for Further Study
After achieving this Qualification, candidates may undertake ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and/or ACM50119 Diploma of Animal Technology that defines higher level job functions.
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is offered as a qualification at TAFE Gippsland
Skills or Knowledge gained
Gain the skills and knowledge to assist in the animal care industry.
These include:
- Basic animal handling and first aid
- Assisting in caring for animals, animal first aid
- Sustainability and biosecurity in the workplace
- Work health and safety
- Workplace communication and
- Participating in work placement.
At Certificate III level, work takes place under supervision or under clearly defined guidelines for work activities. Through the duration of the course and work placement in the animal care industry individuals will build their capability to work independently in some situations and where some decision making maybe required.
It is recommended you complete a minimum of 80 hours of work placement in the animal care industry over the duration of the course.
Entry Requirements
Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: Yes
Mandatory entry requirements:
Students need to have access to live animals in an animal care facility to support their assessment completion.
Recommended entry Requirements:
It is recommended that the student owns or has access to a minimum of two (2) different species of animals throughout the duration of this course, in order to meet their learning needs and support the achievement of assessment outcomes. It is further recommended that students engage in work placement or are employed in an animal care facility for a minimum of 80 hours throughout the duration of their course.
Limitations to course Entry:
Students must have access to a reliable internet connection that will support video conferencing.
Students must have access to a computer or tablet that will support course work to be completed in our learning Management System Moodle. This also needs to include a headset (integrated microphone and earphones).
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 III in Animal Care Services.
Work Placement - 2025
Does this course require placement?: Yes
Whilst the qualification does not specify a workplace requirement, there is a requirement to assess three units of competency in the workplace. It is recommended that the student completes a minimum of 240 hours of work placement in the animal care industry (Equivalent to 1 day per week (8 hours/day)over 30 weeks equals 240 hours).
Students will have access to our department placement coordinator who can assist them in locating appropriate placement opportunities. However placement remains the responsibility of the student.
Trainees will complete the recommended 240 hours in their work place.
Placement to be arranged by: Student
Further Information - 2025
Fees
| Fees and charges | Government subsidised concession | Government subsidised | Full-fee paying student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum full course tuition fee* (GST exempt) | $760.00 | $3,800.00 | $12,200.00 |
| Materials fee* (GST exempt) | $330.00 | $330.00 | $330.00 |
| Total | $1,090.00 | $4,130.00 | $12,530.00 |
VET Student Loans
Not Applicable for this course
Help with fees
Sample course units
Assessment
The assessment for each course varies. It may include knowledge questions, practical skills tasks, projects, research work, on the job assessment, etc. Your assessor or educator will provide specific information on the requirements for your course.
You can expect that:
- assessment methods are clear
- assessment tasks are relevant and meet the requirements of your course
- assessor or educator demonstrate fairness and lack of bias when assessing your work
- educators will provide open and honest feedback about assessment tasks.
Further Information - 2025
Fees
| Fees and charges | Government subsidised concession | Government subsidised | Full-fee paying student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum full course tuition fee* (GST exempt) | $760.00 | $3,800.00 | $12,200.00 |
| Materials fee* (GST exempt) | $330.00 | $330.00 | $330.00 |
| Total | $1,090.00 | $4,130.00 | $12,530.00 |
VET Student Loans
Not Applicable for this course
Help with fees
Sample course units
Assessment
The assessment for each course varies. It may include knowledge questions, practical skills tasks, projects, research work, on the job assessment, etc. Your assessor or educator will provide specific information on the requirements for your course.
You can expect that:
- assessment methods are clear
- assessment tasks are relevant and meet the requirements of your course
- assessor or educator demonstrate fairness and lack of bias when assessing your work
- educators will provide open and honest feedback about assessment tasks.