Course description
This qualification describes the skills and knowledge required to work in a broad range of roles in animal care facilities and services, including boarding/day care, breeding, shelters/holding centres, pet grooming, pet sitting and other animal businesses.
Individuals in these roles perform a range of animal care tasks under broad direction which involve discretion and judgement in handling animals, selecting and operating tools and equipment, coordinating resources and problem solving. They are required to take responsibility for their own work including, carrying out assigned tasks, compliance with animal welfare, organising processes, solving problems and working to schedules.
Possible career outcomes
- Pet shop/aquarium assistant
- Kennel or cattery attendant
- Assistant/service dog trainer
- Pet exerciser
- Grooming assistant
- Welfare officer
- Wildlife carer
- Quarantine officer
- Animal behaviourist
Wondering if this industry will suit you?
We have created a very short course quiz to help you gain a little more understanding of what is required and whether you might enjoy a role in this industry. Take the quiz here.
Applications & attendance
Applications for this course are not currently open.
Please contact customer service on 1300 769 279 during business hours to discuss upcoming intake dates.
Class times are indicative and may change before the course starts. Students may need to complete some self-paced learning and assessments outside class, varying by course and skill level, or may be required to attend classes both on campus and online.
Follow the link for more information on attendance mode definitions and offer timing.
An application doesn't guarantee a place in the course.
Many courses have limited spots and may fill quickly, so apply early and ensure your application is fully completed, as only successful applicants will receive offers, issued as soon as possible. If numbers are low, intakes or courses may be cancelled.
Entrance requirements
- Applicants must be 16 years and over at the time of course commencement.
- Applicants are expected to have literacy and numeracy skills at Year 11 or Year 12 or Australian Core Skills Framework Level 3.
- Any student under the age of 17 must provide an Exemption from School form prior to undertaking the course.
- You must reside in Victoria to access Victorian Government Subsidised Fees and any incentive such as Free TAFE. Full fees apply to all non-Victorian residents.
Personal Learning Requirements
There are personal learning requirements for each qualification at The Gordon. These are essential personal capabilities and skills required to successfully complete the course and be ready to work in the industry.
Please review the requirements here and consider any challenges you may have in meeting them. When applying for your course, please let us know what support you may need.
Pre-training review
Each student must complete a pre-training review as part of their application. The outcome of your pre-training review assists our teachers and trainers to better understand your capabilities prior to training and enables you to be matched to the right program. Your literacy and numeracy skills will be evaluated and you may be required to undertake a separate assessment. Follow this link for more information about literacy and numeracy skills.
| Core Units | Code | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the welfare status of an animal | ACMGEN303 | 60 |
| Communicate effectively with clients and team members | ACMGEN315 | 30 |
| Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | ACMINF301 | 60 |
| Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | ACMWHS301 | 50 |
| Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals | ACMBEH301 | 60 |
| Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces | ACMGEN304 | 40 |
| Provide basic animal first aid | ACMGEN309 | 40 |
| Elective Units | Code | Hours |
| Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | ACMSUS401 | 40 |
| Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing | ACMGEN311 | 50 |
| Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care | ACMGEN305 | 50 |
| Provide enrichment for animals | ACMBEH302 | 40 |
| Provide general care of birds | ACMSPE314 | 40 |
| Provide general care of common native mammals | ACMSPE315 | 40 |
| Provide general care of domestic cats | ACMSPE317 | 40 |
| Provide general care of domestic dogs | ACMSPE316 | 40 |
| Provide general care of mammals | ACMSPE320 | 40 |
| Provide nutritional requirements for animals | ACMGEN312 | 60 |
Please note that the listed electives are delivered by The Gordon but you may not need to complete all of these units to successfully complete this qualification. If you have previously completed any of the units of competency relevant to this course, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer (CT). Any previous relevant experience may qualify you for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Find out more about CT or RPL here.
Assessment is based on:
- Questioning
- Observations and practical demonstrations
- Product (reports, projects, role plays etc)
Fees
| Fees | Rate | Unit | Indicative Course Hours | Indicative Tuition | Indicative Gov Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concession Tuition | AUD $0.77 | per hour | 780 | AUD $601.00 | AUD $8,400.00 |
| Standard Tuition | AUD $3.85 | per hour | 780 | AUD $3,003.00 | AUD $8,400.00 |
| Full Fee Tuition | AUD $14.40 | per hour | 780 | AUD $11,232.00 |
| Add the costs below to your relevant tuition fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | AUD $510.00 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Resources | AUD $340.00 | Charged at enrolment | |||
| Education Levy | AUD $117.00 | Charged at enrolment | |||
All fees and charges are correct at time of publication but may change without notice. The student tuition fees are indicative only. Additional fees may apply. Where GST is applicable to any courses or materials, the fee displayed is inclusive of the GST.
Which fee will I pay?
Your fees will be charged according to your eligibility for government funding. For more information, visit our Fees & Payments pages.
Fee help
Payment plans may be available for eligible students who need assistance to manage their fee payments.
Further study options
- ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Many Gordon courses offer pathways to higher qualifications within The Gordon and in some cases, to university degrees. Your Gordon course may provide credit points which could reduce further study time. Follow the link to find more information about pathways, or contact Customer Service.