ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Online)

All qualifications have been evaluated against the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) to determine the student’s proficiency in the essential core skills required for successful participation. These core skills include learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy.  

All applicants will be sent a request to complete a language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) assessment evaluated by an independent organisation to assess if their current core skills are of the required level, to determine their suitability for the course. Where minor skill gaps are identified in successful applicants, those students will be provided with the necessary support to develop the required skill level throughout the course. 

The course will not be suitable for applicants where a significant core skill gap is identified in the LLN assessment. In such instances, unsuccessful applicants may be referred to an alternative study pathway or external support services to develop their core skills. 

A USI is your individual education number for life. It also gives you an online record of your vocational education and training (VET) undertaken in Australia.

To complete nationally recognised training, you need a USI. Without one, you can’t get your qualification or statement of attainment.

How do I get a USI?
Getting a USI is quick, easy and free. Follow the steps on the USI website.

We do not hold a formal Open Day, however we often attend careers expos and events organised by schools. Throughout the year we conduct information sessions which are offered by invitation. If you are interested in attending one of these sessions please contact us.

We offer two flexible study options for our Animal Care courses.

1) Self-paced + Online

You can select our self-paced online eLearning option, which includes workplace training at an approved location of your choice. Our online eLearning courses are available for enrolment year-round. To get started, simply visit the qualification pages:

• ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care
• ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services

2) On-campus + Workplace

We also provide on-campus and workplace blended courses for our Animal Care programs. You can choose from our Certificate II courses at Cat Haven (Shenton Park) and Greyhounds as Pets (Southern River), our Ascot campus, or our Certificate III course in collaboration with RSPCA (Malaga).

Each course has multiple intake opportunities throughout the year. For the latest course dates, we recommend checking our timetable and key dates. To learn more about our workplace blended courses, please visit the qualification pages:

• ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Exhibited Animals)
• ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Health & Welfare)
• ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Vet Nursing Pathway)
• ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (RSPCA)

If you’re a high school student, you can also explore our on-campus course in Ascot with two intakes available annually. Please note that Year 12 students are eligible to apply for the semester one intake. For more info, please see the qualification page:

• ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (VETDSS)

The units are assessed using various methods. Throughout your course you may be expected to submit assessments via the following methods:

• online multiple choice quizzes,
• online tests,
• written assignments and practical assignments submitted online,
• oral testing via phone call,
• online video assessments e.g. Zoom,
• video submissions submitted online; and
• photographic submissions.

Animal Care Courses (Previously Animal Studies) 

ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care and ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (previously Animal Studies) are Online Courses except for the on-campus / on-site courses below:

• RSPCA Program
• Animal Health & Welfare at GAP and Cat Haven
• Veterinary Nursing Pathway
• VETDSS (High school)

For the online courses, you do not need to attend lessons. A majority of your study will take place at home, online. You will also need to attend an approved workplace to complete practical training. All assessments are completed and submitted online.

Veterinary Nursing

Our ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing course is offered as online eLearning or on-campus delivery modes. If you choose our on-campus mode, you will be expected to attend classes at our campus each week throughout the term. Online students, do not need to attend classes.

Animal Behaviour and Training

ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training is offered via blended learning. Your theory and interactive lessons are studied from home via online eLearning and Zoom classes, plus you will attend group training workshops at a training facility in Perth WA.

All online eLearning students from Animal Care, Animal Behaviour and Training, Horse Care and Veterinary Nursing qualifications are invited to attend workshops throughout the year. These helpful training sessions provide practical experience and give you face-to-face access to our lecturers and tutors. Workshops are held at our campus in Perth, Western Australia. For more information, visit our Workshops Page.

We have a team of highly qualified Trainers and Assessors who have worked in various areas of the animal industry (take a look at our ‘Meet Our Team’ page!). Our Trainers and Assessors are always on hand to answer any questions or provide further support, explanations or clarification of any of the course material. They’ll mentor and coach you through the course material when required. You can contact our Trainers via phone, email or video call.

AVT offers high quality study material written, reviewed and delivered by Veterinarians, Animal Scientists and Veterinary Nurses with formal training qualifications. Our in-house training team have spent hundreds, if not thousands of hours creating course resources for our units of competency across all courses.

The difference between registered training providers’ course content across all RTOs including TAFE is often the units contained in the course and the quality of the material. There are many units that can be included in a course and training providers nominate a selection of units they will offer to students.

Our courses are broad-based and give an excellent introduction to working with animals across all species. They provide a fantastic opportunity to learn about many different animals and most importantly allow you to apply what you learn from our online course material or in the classroom to the workplace.

To find out more about the units offered within each course visit the Course Content section on our qualifications pages.

• ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care
• ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Online)
• ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (RSPCA)
• ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training
• ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

The table below details the duration and maximum allowable time you can take to complete our courses. Our online courses are self-paced, meaning you can obtain your qualification much sooner if you wish to as long as all assessments and training have been successfully completed.

Extensions are available on a case by case review. For more information about extensions please visit our Student Policies page.

Individuals employed by a business under an Apprenticeship or Traineeship arrangement can nominate any RTO (Registered Training Provider) with the relevant qualifications on scope to provide training for their chosen qualification, provided that RTO has the capacity to deliver the qualification under traineeship conditions.

Often the choice of RTO is a joint decision made between the Employer and the Trainee/Apprentice, to ensure the mode of delivery is suitable for both Trainee and Employer needs,

AVT currently only accepts new entrant traineeship nominations for ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies, where the trainee has an approved training contract registered with the Apprenticeship Office.

Further information about Apprenticeships and Traineeships can be found at www.apprenticeshipsupport.com.au/states/Western-Australia

Yes, you can complete your practical training at more than one establishment if you have the opportunity to do so. Whilst it’s not compulsory, training at two different workplaces can be very beneficial and provide you with valuable experiences. However, in saying this we would recommend that you limit your practical training to no more than two different organisations.

Please keep in mind, when choosing these workplaces, your practical placement must correspond with the species-specific unit that you choose as your elective unit.

Finally, we require a signed ‘Workplace Approval Form’ for each placement to ensure the suitability of the placement for your studies.

You will receive a Practical Task Workbook containing a logbook and all the practical assessments you must complete during your placement.

Practical assessments include ‘Workplace Assignments’ that include activities such as case studies, photographs, written descriptions of workplace procedures and video evidence of practical tasks. These assessments are designed to see how well you can apply the information covered in the theory component of each unit.

Each unit also includes ‘Practical Task Worksheets’ outlining various tasks that you are expected to complete during your placement, with each task signed off by a supervisor once successfully completed. All practical assessments must be submitted to us via our online learning platform for assessment by one of our tutors.

A student attendance record is also included in the Workbook and your supervisor must sign this to confirm that you have completed the required number of hours during a placement.

During your placement, we will contact your supervisor to obtain feedback on your performance. This feedback will then be relayed to you.

Commonly asked questions about Workplace Practical Training

• • What is workplace practical training?
  • Can I complete my workplace practical training in a private, non-business environment? Or with my pet?
  • How do I know if the workplace I have chosen is acceptable?
  • Can I volunteer in an organisation to meet the required work placement hours?
  • Can I do my Veterinary Nursing practical work placement on weekends?
  • Can I be exempt from the Workplace Practical Training if I have previous experience in a Veterinary Practice?
  • Do I need to do the work placement with the same veterinary clinic or can I work in more than one workplace?
  • Can I choose more than one workplace for my Animal Care work placement?

Self-organised work placements are only required for selected courses and delivery methods. As a general rule, our intensive, on-campus or on-site courses do not require you to organise a work placement. Check the relevant practical training/workplace information on the course page for more information.

Special note for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Students: Only non-funded regional WA and interstate Vet Nursing students are required to organise their own work placement.

Prior to starting your workplace practical placement, you must submit a signed ‘Workplace Approval Form’.

This form must be signed by the person who will be supervising you during your placement and returned to us BEFORE your placement starts.

The purpose of this form is to highlight the animals, facilities and equipment available to you and the types of work you will be exposed to during your work placement.

You must wait to receive confirmation from us that your work placement has been approved before beginning your practical placement.

If your work placement is not approved by AVT, and it is unsuitable for the purposes of this course, then any hours already completed there will not contribute to the completion of this qualification or any of the units of competency.

Commonly asked questions about Workplace Practical Training

• • What is workplace practical training?
  • Can I complete my workplace practical training in a private, non-business environment? Or with my pet?
  • Can I volunteer in an organisation to meet the required work placement hours?
  • Can I do my Veterinary Nursing practical work placement on weekends?
  • Can I be exempt from the Workplace Practical Training if I have previous experience in a Veterinary Practice?
  • Do I need to do the work placement with the same veterinary clinic or can I work in more than one workplace?
  • Can I choose more than one workplace for my Animal Studies work placement?
  • How am I assessed during my practical placement?

Many of our Animal Studies and Animal Care students, unless employed at a suitable workplace, complete their required hours in a voluntary position whether that be as a volunteer in an animal or wildlife shelter or an animal-related business.

Prior to commencing your work placement, you will need to submit a Practical Work Placement Approval Kit. Once received, our Student Liaison Officer will assess the organisation to ensure it meets the workplace criteria for your course.

All of our courses are vocational, which means that they are specifically designed to provide students with the skills, experience and knowledge to enter the animal care workplace. Working in an animal care facility, where you are responsible for a number of different animals and sometimes a range of different species on a daily basis is very different to caring for your own pets at home.

Therefore to successfully complete your qualification you will need to secure a formal workplace practical training placement in a animal related business or organisation. If you are completing our veterinary nursing qualification, you will need to complete your placement in a veterinary practice.  

Below are just a few examples of the types of skills and knowledge that must be covered in all of our courses, which cannot be learned from caring for your own animals –

• Being able to understand and interpret the behaviour of animals that you are not familiar with.  This is an essential skill in order to ensure that the animal is approached and handled in the most appropriate and safest way so as to minimise stress to the animal and reduce the risk of injury to the handler.
• The ability to accurately assess the health of an animal that you are not familiar with. As we know our own animals so well, we can often pick up on the early signs that something is wrong. However, being able to do this with animals that you do not know particularly well and may be in an unfamiliar environment such as boarding facility, rescue shelter or vet clinic requires a completely different set of skills and knowledge.
• Understanding of hygiene and infection control practices. In a facility where numerous animals are housed, it is vital to have a good understanding of the correct hygiene practices to ensure that all animals are kept healthy and to minimise the risk of the spread of disease and cross-contamination.
• Health and safety practices. Working with animals can present a very unique set of risks and therefore it is vital that students are aware of not only the possible risks but also how to ensure they can minimise these risks at all times.

Commonly asked questions about Workplace Practical Training

• • What is workplace practical training?
  • How do I know if the workplace I have chosen is acceptable?
  • Can I volunteer in an organisation to meet the required work placement hours?
  • Can I do my Veterinary Nursing practical work placement on weekends?
  • Can I be exempt from the Workplace Practical Training if I have previous experience in a Veterinary Practice?
  • Do I need to do the work placement with the same veterinary clinic or can I work in more than one workplace?
  • Can I choose more than one workplace for my Animal Studies work placement?
  • How am I assessed during my practical placement?

For the Certificate II in Animal Care, you are only required to work with two different species as part of your work placement or workplace practical training. One must be a companion animal and one must correspond with the elective ‘Species-specific’ unit you have chosen as part of your course.

Yes, our qualifications in Vet Nursing, Horse Care (previously offered) and Animal Studies/Care are nationally recognised and accredited.

Our company, Applied Vocational Training (AVT),  is fully registered by the Australian Government training registration authority ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority).  Our Registered Training Organisation (RTO) number is 5273. The qualifications we offer are nationally recognised Certificates.

We’re also supported and endorsed by the Australian Veterinary Association. Our registration authority can be viewed on the training.gov.au website, which is the Australian Government’s website for details of registered courses and training providers – view our details here.

We strongly recommend you search the training.gov.au website for any training organisation you may be considering.

The Animal Care and Management Package, (ACM10), outlines the qualifications and contents of the individual nationally recognised qualifications.  Over the past years, this package has been updated to reflect the needs of the animal care industry and as a result, the course code and name have evolved over this period.

In November 2017, Certificate II in Animal Studies was upgraded from ACM20110 to ACM20117. The content and requirements for this particular certificate did not change and the newer certificate was deemed equivalent to ACM20110.

In April 2021, ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies was superseded by ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care with changes to core and elective units. For more detailed information about this upgrade and course availability see the detailed post Certificate II and Certificate III in Animal Studies Qualifications to be replaced with updated training packages ACM20121 and ACM30122

We follow the national training package for all qualifications. The latest version of the training package can be viewed here. Training.gov.au is the Australian Government Website for registered training courses and providers.

Unfortunately, government funding and concessions are not available for our ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Online) and ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Online) qualifications.

If you’re based in Perth and seeking courses with government funding or concessions, we encourage you to visit our Qualifications Overview page to explore available options.

We offer flexible monthly payment plans with instalments for all students. We do not require upfront full payment for any of our courses. Total course fees and payment plan structure vary with each course and individual circumstances. Visit the relevant qualifications page for more information or contact us for further details.

This answer specifically addresses students who wish to study in Australia on a Student Visa.

Unfortunately, we cannot assist individuals studying as international students as we do not hold the required CRICOS (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) registration.

The following link outlines the main steps to study in Australia homeaffairs.gov.au. This will require applying for a student visa under the Vocational Education and Training Sector. However, you will need to have been accepted into a full-time study course by a CRICOS approved provider and then apply for a student visa. These normally take approximately 46 days to process.

You may find CRICOS registered training institutions in Australia that can offer qualifications to international students. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions hold CRICOS registration and offer Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing courses.

Related FAQ’s:

Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?

I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?

Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?

I currently live overseas, can I apply for your on-campus full-time course? Will I need an international student visa?

I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?

Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS

In some cases, registered training organisations (RTOs) may enrol non-resident students who are temporarily visiting or reside in Australia on certain visas, other than study visas. However, some visas include restrictions on training. Most visas and sub-class visas clearly outline what your study rights are in Australia. It is the responsibility of the individual to check their study and work rights according to their individual visa. Further information is also available from the Department of Home Affairs.

Visa information for Jobs & Skills WA Funding

Students wishing to be considered for funded places in the ACM40418 Certificate  IV in Veterinary Nursing should visit this page for more detailed information about eligibility. 

Students wishing to be considered for funded places in the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Health & Welfare) course should visit this page for detailed information about eligibility.

Students wishing to be considered for funding places in the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (RSPCA) course should visit this page for detailed information about eligibility.

Related FAQ’s:

• Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?
• I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?
• Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?
• I currently live overseas, can I apply for your on-campus full-time course? Will I need an international student visa?
• I wish to study in Australia on a student visa. Can I study with Applied Vocational Training?

In some cases, a registered training organisation (RTO) may enrol students who are temporarily visiting or reside in Australia on certain visas, other than study visas. However, some visas include restrictions on training. Most visas and sub-class visas clearly outline what your study rights are in Australia. It is the responsibility of the individual to check their study and work rights according to their individual visa* . Further information is also available from the Department of Home Affairs.

*Any course undertaken by a student visa holder must be registered on CRICOS and training must be provided by a CRICOS registered provider (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students). Applied Vocational Training is not a registered CRICOS provider and as such we are unable to accept applications from individuals wishing to study on a student visa.

Related FAQ’s:

I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?

I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?

Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?

I currently live overseas, can I apply for your on-campus full-time course? Will I need an international student visa?

Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?

Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS

This answer specifically addresses international students who wish to study in Australia on a Student Visa.

Unfortunately, we are unable to assist individuals with studying as an international student in Australia as we do not have the necessary registration with our government to enrol students in Australia on a Student Visa. The required registration for this is CRICOS ‘The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students’.

To find out more about studying in Australia we recommend visiting the Australian Government website: homeaffairs.gov.au. This will require applying for a student visa under the Vocational Education and Training Sector. However, you will need to have been accepted into a full-time study course by a CRICOS approved provider and then apply for the student visa. These normally take approximately 46 days to process.

You may find CRICOS registered training institutions in Australia who can offer qualifications to international students. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions hold CRICOS registration and offer courses in Animal Studies and Veterinary Nursing

Related FAQ’s:

Is the Australian Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing recognised worldwide?

Can an RTO enrol an overseas visitor into a course and not be CRICOS registered?

I wish to study in Australia on a student visa. Can I study with Applied Vocational Training?

I live overseas, can I still study your courses online?

I am a non-resident visa holder, can I study with AVT?

Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS

Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning (RPL) are two methods to receive credit towards your course, but they differ in how credit is awarded.

Credit transfer is available if you have previously completed the same unit, or one that matches in content and outcomes, at another recognised VET or higher education provider. To apply, you must provide verifiable evidence, such as a Statement of Attainment or qualification certificate, proving your competency. Once approved, you will not need to repeat assessment for that unit.

Please note that many of AVT’s courses are clustered. Clustering involves delivering and assessing two or more units together in groups (or blocks), in a meaningful and purposeful way. It avoids duplication and repetition and creates a logical flow to the delivery of your course. As a result, you may still need to complete training and assessments that cover similar concepts found in the unit for which you’re requesting a credit transfer

Recognition of prior learning (RPL), on the other hand, allows you to be assessed on the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through previous training, work experience, or life experience. To apply for RPL, you must supply evidence, such as records of completed training, assessment items, or declarations from your employer. Your provider will then assess your competency against the requirements of the course to determine if further training or assessment is needed.

Both options can reduce your study load, but RPL assesses existing skills, while credit transfer recognises previously completed qualifications.

For more information about AVT’s process for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning, please see our policies page.

To receive a credit for a unit of competency that you have previously been awarded, you must be able to supply a verifiable Testamur (certificate) or Statement of Attainment obtained from the issuing provider.

A Testamur or Statement of Attainment must either contain the wording ‘The qualification is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework’ or the AQF logo authorised by the AQF Council.

A Record of Results or Statement of Academic Record by itself is not sufficient when applying for a credit transfer of a nationally recognised unit of competency.

If you do not have a copy of your Testamur or Statement of Attainment you are responsible for requesting a copy from the issuing provider, we are unable to do this on your behalf.

For more information about RPL see our frequently asked questions here.

Yes. If you have completed and passed the exact same unit as delivered by AVT, you will receive a credit transfer for the unit.  You must be deemed competent and be awarded a PASS in the unit.

At the time of application, you will be required to provide us with a Statement of Attainment from a recognised and approved training provider. We will verify your previous studies with the training provider.

For information about fees and charges that apply to credit transfers, please see our student policy page.

Credit transfer fees do not apply for students who have completed a previous qualification with AVT.

Yes. You can use units of competency received from a prior qualification even if the unit is different from an elective unit required by AVT.  You can claim a credit transfer (CT) for these units as long as:-

• the unit is current and relevant to work undertaken in the animal care and management industry and
• you hold a Statement of Attainment from the issuing provider.

If this is the case, then you may use previous units of study to fulfil the elective component of the qualification.

You will be required to provide us with a Statement of Attainment from a recognised and approved training provider at the time of application. We will verify your previous studies with the training provider.

For information about fees and charges that apply to credit transfers, please see our student policy page. 

Please note, we are unable to offer RPL or Train and Assess any other elective unit of competency other than the ones provided in the courses offered on our website.

For a full list of our qualifications visit our Qualifications Overview page 

In meeting the required rules of evidence and principals of assessment, AVT is unable to provide recognition of prior learning (RPL) to candidates who can not demonstrate recent and current skills and knowledge.

Applicants need to be able to demonstrate that they meet the competency requirements of the current training package including application of current industry techniques using the latest technology, equipment and supplies in accordance with the current standards and regulations.

If you wish to gain certification as a veterinary nurse or animal carer without having current experience, you will need to enrol in and complete the full course.

Read more about RPL here

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available to enrolled students of AVT qualifications.  The prior learning may be in the form of previous studies or completed qualifications (including superseded qualifications), on the job experience or volunteer work.

To find out more detailed information about RPL visit our RPL page.

Students with eligible credit transfers may apply, however, due to the course delivery format, 100% attendance is required for induction and practical training/on-site days and therefore full course fees will apply. Credit transfer fees do not apply for Jobs and Skills WA funded students.