Program Overview

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Certificate III in Animal Care Services

Course Overview

Kick start your career with animals with this entry-level course that will give you the skills to work as an animal attendant or trainer.

What Can I Do?

• Animal Control and Regulation Assistant
• Animal Health Officer
• Animal Technician
• Animal Trainer
• Kennel or Shelter Attendant

Course Outcome

ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services

Strong Industry Partnerships

As part of your course, you get valuable experience in real workplaces. Our strong partnerships mean you will use the skills you are learning to care for animals in different settings within your community, while also getting to know potential future employers.

What You Will Study

The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core and 10 elective units from the list below.

Core Units

• UNIT CODE: ACMBEH301
  • UNIT NAME: Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals
  • Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and interpret behaviour and safely handle, interact and respond to animals in a range of animal care facilities and environments. It can be applied to a range of animal species.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN303
  • UNIT NAME: Assess the welfare status of an animal
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the welfare status of an animal using an industry recognised animal welfare assessment framework or model and tool.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN304
  • UNIT NAME: Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage personal wellbeing and psychological health and safety in workplaces involving animals. It includes identifying the hazards and challenges of the work, developing a proactive self-care action plan and contributing to positive support strategies.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN309
  • UNIT NAME: Provide basic animal first aid
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide essential first aid for animals. The first aider is not expected to deal with complex cases or incidents, but to provide an initial response where first aid is required.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN315
  • UNIT NAME: Communicate effectively with clients and team members
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, a supervisor, team members and industry representatives.
• UNIT CODE: ACMINF301
  • UNIT NAME: Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work
  • Unit description: This unit of competency covers the process required to comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care workplaces and relevant field locations.
• UNIT CODE: ACMWHS301
  • UNIT NAME: Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
  • Unit description: This unit of competency covers the process required by an employee to contribute to workplace health and safety processes where there is responsibility for own work outputs and possibly limited responsibility for the work output of others.

Elective Units

Behaviour Stream

• UNIT CODE: ACMBEH302
  • UNIT NAME: Provide enrichment for animals
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide enrichment to stimulate, replenish and maintain appropriate behavioural patterns of all animals, including those housed short-term or long-term in an animal care facility.
• UNIT CODE: ACMBEH402
  • UNIT NAME: Develop, implement and monitor enrichment strategies for animals
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop, implement, monitor and review enrichment strategies for animals, and to communicate the strategies to carers (team members/owners).
• UNIT CODE: ACMBEH404
  • UNIT NAME: Condition animal behaviour
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to condition animals using positive conditioning techniques. It applies to a range of species and includes the individual demonstrating skills and knowledge required for conditioning animals to others.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN305
  • UNIT NAME: Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide advice to clients on the appropriate selection of companion animals, and on their housing, nutritional and other general care requirements. It also includes the sale of animal care products and services, and animals where appropriate.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN308
  • UNIT NAME: Walk and exercise dogs
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage dog walking and exercise activities for clients or the workplace.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN311
  • UNIT NAME: Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow animal health management practices to monitor animal health via daily observations of behaviour and condition.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN312
  • UNIT NAME: Provide nutritional requirements for animals
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare rations based on animal species needs and availability of food products.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN314
  • UNIT NAME: Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify animal anatomy and physiological functions of animals. It incorporates knowledge of animal classification, animal body systems, physiological functions and external anatomical features of animals to recognise normal health.
• UNIT CODE: ACMSPE314
  • UNIT NAME: Provide general care of birds
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify birds and their behavioural and physical needs, and provide daily care requirements.
• UNIT CODE: ACMSPE320
  • UNIT NAME: Provide general care of mammals
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify placental mammals and their behavioural and physical needs and provide daily care requirements.

Veterinary Nursing Stream

• UNIT CODE: ACMBEH302
  • UNIT NAME: Provide enrichment for animals
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide enrichment to stimulate, replenish and maintain appropriate behavioural patterns of all animals, including those housed short-term or long-term in an animal care facility.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN305
  • UNIT NAME: Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide advice to clients on the appropriate selection of companion animals, and on their housing, nutritional and other general care requirements. It also includes the sale of animal care products and services, and animals where appropriate.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN308
  • UNIT NAME: Walk and exercise dogs
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage dog walking and exercise activities for clients or the workplace.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN310
  • UNIT NAME: Provide reception services for an animal care facility
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake office reception and administration activities, including scheduling and basic financial tasks for an animal care facility.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN311
  • UNIT NAME: Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow animal health management practices to monitor animal health via daily observations of behaviour and condition.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN312
  • UNIT NAME: Provide nutritional requirements for animals
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare rations based on animal species needs and availability of food products.
• UNIT CODE: ACMGEN314
  • UNIT NAME: Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify animal anatomy and physiological functions of animals. It incorporates knowledge of animal classification, animal body systems, physiological functions and external anatomical features of animals to recognise normal health.
• UNIT CODE: ACMSPE314
  • UNIT NAME: Provide general care of birds
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify birds and their behavioural and physical needs, and provide daily care requirements.
• UNIT CODE: ACMSPE316
  • UNIT NAME: Provide general care of domestic dogs
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify dogs and their behavioural and physical needs, and provide daily care requirements.
• UNIT CODE: ACMSPE317
  • UNIT NAME: Provide general care of domestic cats
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify domestic cats and their behavioural and physical needs, and provide daily care requirements.
• UNIT CODE: ACMSPE320
  • UNIT NAME: Provide general care of mammals
  • Unit description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify placental mammals and their behavioural and physical needs and provide daily care requirements.
• UNIT CODE: ACMVET202
  • UNIT NAME: Carry out daily clinic routines
  • Unit description: This unit of competency covers the process of treating patients (animals) on a daily basis, maintaining clinic hygiene and assisting with inventory and clinic security.
• UNIT CODE: BSBOPS304
  • UNIT NAME: Deliver and monitor a service to customers
  • Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify customer needs, deliver and monitor customer service and identify improvements in the provision of customer service.
• UNIT CODE: HLTAID011
  • UNIT NAME: Provide First Aid
  • Unit description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies. The unit applies to all persons who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings.

Ways to Study

• On campus
• International

Choose Your Study Location

• Greater Brisbane
• Gold Coast

On Campus

You'll learn face to face with a teacher in a classroom or simulated workplace environment. You may access learning materials through our online learning management system Connect. Learn more

View Comparison Chart

Campus

• Grovely
  • On campus with some online
  • Start date: 27 Jan 2026
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Workload: Behaviour: Full time 2 days per week
  • What you'll pay:
    • Concession: $3,350
    • Subsidised: $4,165
    • Full fee: $7,960
• Redcliffe
  • On campus with some online
  • Start date: 27 Jan 2026
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Workload: Veterinary Nursing: Full time 2 days per week
  • What you'll pay:
    • Concession: $3,350
    • Subsidised: $4,165
    • Full fee: $7,960
• Mt Gravatt
  • On campus with some online
  • Start date: 27 Jan 2026
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Workload: Veterinary Nursing: Full time 2 days per week
  • What you'll pay:
    • Concession: $3,350
    • Subsidised: $4,165
    • Full fee: $7,960
• Loganlea
  • On campus with some online
  • Start date: 27 Jan 2026
  • Duration: 1 year
  • Workload: Veterinary Nursing: Full time 2 days per week
  • What you'll pay:
    • Concession: $3,350
    • Subsidised: $4,165
    • Full fee: $7,960
• Ashmore
  • On Campus
  • Start date: 14 Jul 2025
  • Duration: 9 months
  • Workload: Veterinary Nursing: Full time up to 2 days per week on campus
  • What you'll pay:
    • International: $11,400

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Certificate III in Animal Care Services (ACM30122)

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Certificate III in Animal Care Services

COURSE CODE: ACM30122

Payment Options

How Can I Pay for This Course?

No matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what's right for you, get in touch. We're here to help.

Payment Plan

If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

Learn more

Upfront Payment

This may be the full fee for the course, or the student contribution amount if you are eligible for a subsidy or concession.

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International Student Payment

Our preferred payment method is telegraphic transfer or credit card using Convera Global Pay for Students or the Flywire Payment Portal. Convera and Flywire both allow you to complete your payment in your own currency using a telegraphic transfer with no processing fees or delays.

Learn more

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

Selection Criteria

Domestic students

• Year 10 or equivalent;
• Sound level of computer and literacy skills;
• valid and appropriate email account; and
• physically, emotionally and mentally "fit for practice" for the purpose of work experience/field excursions.

International students

• English Language Proficiency: Academic IELTS 6.0 (no individual band less than 5.5) or equivalent – For a list of all English Language test accepted by TAFE Queensland International.
• Academic Requirements: Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent). Non school-leavers must have relevant work experience or qualification that indicates likely success of course completion. For more information on the international education achievement levels equivalent to Year 10 and 12.

Applicants should be a minimum of 17 years of age and turning 18 during the first year of study with TAFE Queensland. International students who are under 18 years of age and are applying for a student visa are required by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs to have adequate welfare arrangements in place.

Resources Required

You will be required to wear:

• long, hard wearing pants (no leggings)
• closed in, comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet for most of the day; and
• minimal jewellery (stud earrings, no necklaces, no acrylic or false nails, facial jewellery must be removed or taped over).

It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader. This equipment and software is available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.

You may be required to undertake pre-reading or purchase textbooks. If this applies, you will be provided with a recommended reading list and/or required textbooks during orientation or at the start of each unit. The purchase of these resources may incur additional costs, or you may be able to borrow them from the TAFE Queensland library network.

You may be required to purchase uniform items, including TAFE Queensland branded items. These details will be provided after enrolment or during orientation. The purchase of these uniform items may incur additional costs up to the value of $80.

Darling Downs and South West students will participate in field excursions - no uniform required.

Placement

Work experience in an animal care facility is a compulsory part of this course for all regions excluding Darling Downs and South West.

You must have the required Animal Studies shirt prior to attending Work Experience (including the AWL, RSPCA), or you will unable to participate.

Important Information

Working in certain jobs increases your exposure to some vaccine-preventable diseases. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends the following vaccinations in line with the Queensland Government's occupational immunisations for veterinary students;

• Rabies
• Q-fever
• Influenza
• Tetanus vaccine

Please note: Vaccination and serology evidence requirements may alter during your studies in accordance with changes to industry requirements and/or Australian Immunisation Guidelines.

Assessment Methods

Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning. Read more about assessment methods.

University Pathways

If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.

Learn more about University Pathways

How to Apply

Direct Application

If you're ready to get started, simply hit the Apply Now button on your preferred course information page and get your application underway online.

For International students

International students can either apply directly through our TAFE Queensland International Application portal, or through one of our education agents. Our registered agents can assist you with your visa application and guide you through the enrolment process. If you are from this list of countries, you will need to apply through an agent.

Learn more

Course Disclaimer

All information was accurate at time of publication, however TAFE policies, tuition fees, available subsidies, and course content is subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change prior to commencement and/or during the duration of your course.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfers

Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.

Learn more

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