• 02 7252 3611
Contact Us
  • 02 7252 3611
Contact Us
Certificate II in Animal Care
National Course Code: ACM20121
Certificate II in Animal Care
National code: ACM20121

About This Course

Duration: 26 Weeks Full Time, 20 Hours a week
(Includes 3 weeks of scheduled breaks)

Turn your love for animals into practical animal care skills. You’ll learn the basics to get started in a range of entry-level roles within the animal care industry. This qualification focuses on routine animal care activities performed under supervision and within clearly defined guidelines. It combines classroom learning and structured practical activities to prepare you for real-world situations.

  • Nationally recognised training

Training Package: ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 5.0

What You'll Gain

Learning Outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

    • Discover key insights into animal behavior to enhance your care and connection.
    • Customise feeding and hydration strategies to meet the specific needs of different animals.
    • Apply practical experience in assisting with everyday animal health care tasks.
    • Embrace eco-friendly practices that benefit the environment and animal welfare.
    • Implement comprehensive safety protocols to ensure a secure environment for everyone.

Course Outcomes

Learn core skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.

    • Master crucial hygiene techniques to maintain excellent animal health.
    • Sharpen your communication skills for more effective teamwork in the animal care sector.
    • Implement strict infection control measures to ensure the well-being of animals and their human caretakers.
    • Open up a strong pathway to continue your study and add to your career opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

Course Outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

Learn core skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.

    • Discover key insights into animal behavior to enhance your care and connection.
    • Customise feeding and hydration strategies to meet the specific needs of different animals.
    • Apply practical experience in assisting with everyday animal health care tasks.
    • Embrace eco-friendly practices that benefit the environment and animal welfare.
    • Implement comprehensive safety protocols to ensure a secure environment for everyone.
    • Master crucial hygiene techniques to maintain excellent animal health.
    • Sharpen your communication skills for more effective teamwork in the animal care sector.
    • Implement strict infection control measures to ensure the well-being of animals and their human caretakers.
    • Open up a strong pathway to continue your study and add to your career opportunities.

Is this course right for you?

Entry Requirements

This course does not require evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol.

    • be 18 years or older
    • have sound language, literacy, and numeracy skills
    • possess basic computer skills
    • must hold a current Student Visa, if you’re an international students
    • (Students from non-English speaking background)
      are required to provide any one of the following evidence of upper intermediate proficiency in English:
      IELTS total band score of at least 6/ TOEFL 64/ PTE 50/ CAE 169
      or equivalent
    • be able to lift and move animals weighing up to 10kg independently

Entry Recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

    • a passion for animals and their wellbeing
    • the ability to follow simple written instructions and complete tasks safely with supervision
    • access to a computer or device with internet to help you with home study

Entry Requirements

Entry Recommendations

This course does not require evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol.

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

    • be 18 years or older
    • have sound language, literacy, and numeracy skills
    • possess basic computer skills
    • must hold a current Student Visa, if you’re an international students
    • (Students from non-English speaking background)
      are required to provide any one of the following evidence of upper intermediate proficiency in English:
      IELTS total band score of at least 6/ TOEFL 64/ PTE 50/ CAE 169
      or equivalent
    • be able to lift and move animals weighing up to 10kg independently
    • a passion for animals and their wellbeing
    • the ability to follow simple written instructions and complete tasks safely with supervision
    • access to a computer or device with internet to help you with home study

Future Career and Study Options

Career Pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like: animal attendant or pet daycare assistant and animal shelter assistant.

ANZSCO Code: 361199

Study Pathways

Take your study further with other courses:

Previous Study

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

  • N/A

Further Study

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Related Study

Learn additional skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.

Previous Study

Further Study

Related Study

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Learn additional skills that prepare you for opportunities in your chosen field.

  • N/A

Units Included in the Course

This qualification provides the essential skills and knowledge necessary for a variety of roles within animal care facilities and services across Australia and globally. It includes 12 units of competency—7 core and 5 elective units—designed to maintain the integrity of the qualification and align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), ensuring a credible and industry-endorsed vocational outcome.

Core Units

    • ACMGEN201 Work in the animal care industry
    • ACMGEN202 Complete animal care hygiene routines
    • ACMGEN203 Feed and water animals
    • ACMGEN204 Assist in health care of animals
    • ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
    • ACMWHS201 Participate in workplace health and safety processes
    • BSBCMM211 Apply communication skills

Elective Units

    • ACMBEH302 Provide enrichment for animals
    • ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs
    • ACMVET201 Assist with veterinary nursing reception duties
    • ACMGEN309 Provide Basic Animal First Aid
    • ACMINF201 Handle companion animals safely and follow infection control guidelines

Assessment Method

Students will undertake both theoretical and practical assessments for each unit of competency.

Assessment methods include:

    • Written short answers
    • Case studies
    • Presentations
    • Practical observation tasks

Students must achieve competency in all assessable tasks and demonstrate the required skills, capabilities, performance, and knowledge evidence.

Course Fee

Domestic Students

6,800 AUD

    • Duration: 26 Weeks
    • Tuition Fee: $6,000
    • Enrolment Fee: $300
    • Materials Fee: $500

International Students

10,800 AUD

    • Duration: 26 Weeks
    • Tuition Fee: $10,000
    • Enrolment Fee: $300
    • Materials Fee: $500

Domestic Students

International Students

6,800 AUD

10,800 AUD

    • Duration: 26 Weeks
    • Tuition Fee: $6,000
    • Enrolment Fee: $300
    • Materials Fee: $500
    • Duration: 26 Weeks
    • Tuition Fee: $10,000
    • Enrolment Fee: $300
    • Materials Fee: $500

Application Process

Application Process

Make sure you reach the course requirements.

Gather the following documents for your application:

        • Certified highest qualification certificate and transcripts (English version)
        • *Certified English language test results (minimum IELTS overall 6.0 or equivalent)
        • Valid passport
        • Valid Australian visa (If you are not an Australian passport holder)
        • CV
        • *Current/Previous enrolment details with Australian CRICOS providers

Note: Items marked with an asterisk (*) are required for international students only.
Certified copies must be examined, signed, and verified as accurate reproductions of the original documents.

The following professionals can provide this service to validate the authenticity of original documents.

        • An accountant (member of a recognised professional accounting body or a Registered Tax Agent).
        • A person listed on the roll of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory or the High Court of Australia as a legal practitioner.
        • A barrister, solicitor, or patent attorney.
        • A police officer.
        • A postal manager.
        • A principal of an Australian secondary college, high school, or primary school.
        • A medical practitioner.
        • A Justice of the Peace (with a registration number in the State in which they are registered).
        • A minister of religion (registered under Subdivision A of Division 1 of Part IV of the Marriage Act 1961).

Download and fill out the application form.

Domestic Students     |     International Students

Email the completed form to admission@gwacademy.edu.au.

Once your application is processed, you will receive your offer letter. Be sure to check your email for any follow-up communications. If you have any enquiries regarding the application process, feel free to contact us through admission again.