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Animal Care

ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Exhibited Animals)

Begin your journey in Exhibited Animal Care

Do you dream of working with animals? Learn the essential knowledge and skills you need for working with farm and exhibited animals!

Study the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Exhibited Animals) and explore the world of animal care at Landsdale Farm in Darch, WA. This course provides the unique opportunity to gain hands-on learning on a working educational and exhibition farm, perfect for individuals with little to no prior experience in the animal care industry or even those that are seeking more knowledge for their own small scale farms.

This course is designed to suit students who aspire to work in animal care facilities such as zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, aquaria, tourism farms, farm stays or other environments where animals are cared for or exhibited.

 

Government Funded Subsidised Discount fees for Animal Care and Vet Nursing

Are you unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week?

You maybe eligible for a funded position. Find out how →

Our hands-on training approach will give you real life skills and experience. You’ll attend Landsdale Farm one day a week and work hands-on with companion and farm animals, as well as participate in classroom and practical sessions conducted by fully qualified AVT trainers. Your course is designed so you do not have to find an additional work placement position.

This nationally recognised qualification will allow you to meet the prerequisite for the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or continue further studies in exhibited animals or start your career as an animal attendant or farm hand.

Course snapshot


Duration:
7 months

Application status: Apply now

Attendance: 1 day per week at Landsdale Farm

Fees: Subsidised fees start from just $796.91*

Prerequisite: No prior qualifications are required

Best suited to: Animal lovers who wish to gain skills and knowledge in a farm or exhibited animal environment. With a focus on understanding enclosure design, standards, welfare and enrichment for different species of animals in addition to the foundations of animal care. 

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Landsdale Farm AVT course animal care
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Course outline

Click headings below to learn more about this course

This is an on-site course where you will:

  • Attend Landsdale Farm in Darch, WA 1 day per week from 8:00am – 3:30pm for classes and practical training, and
  • Complete online eLearning from home and during classes

If you are not Perth-based or are unable to attend Landsdale Farm for weekly classes and practical training, we highly recommend our online course option: ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Online)

Students must:

  • Complete a pre-training review, including a language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) assessment. More info about the LLN >>
  • Be available to participate in ALL training days (1 day per week)
  • Be physically capable of restraining animals, handling animal feed e.g. large bags of food of up to 10kg and standing for extended periods of time
  • Bring a laptop and headphones on-site each week to complete online assessments
  • Have a reliable internet connection and access to a desktop computer or laptop at home to write, submit and in some cases upload assessments and various types of multi-media in your own time 

Credit transfers
Students with eligible credit transfers may apply; however, due to the course delivery format, 100% attendance is required for on-site training days.

You will be required to wear:

  • An AVT top, hat, jacket and name badge (supplied by AVT)
  • Steel-capped shoes (supplied by student)
  • Neatly presented, long comfortable work pants suitable for bending and manual work (supplied by student).

Essential Requirements
Throughout this course, you will need to:

  • Collaborate in group settings using both verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Effectively communicate with your peers and Trainer and Assessor.
  • Follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
  • Engage in group activities and practical assessments alongside your peers.
  • Complete workplace documentation using industry-specific language.
  • Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including enclosed shoes, gloves and sun protection.
  • Work within an animal care facility, handling and caring for various species. This environment by its nature will expose you to potential allergens.
  • Adhere to hygiene protocols to ensure animal health, which may involve contact with animal waste such as uneaten food, urine, faeces, soiled bedding and enrichment items.

Environmental Requirements

In this course, you will:

  • Attend classes with a maximum of 24 students.
  • Work outdoors, exposed to various weather conditions.
  • Encounter moderate levels of noise, including animal sounds, the general public and farm machinery.
  • Be physically capable of lifting equipment, and standing or walking for extended periods.

Assessment Types
You will be assessed on your skills and knowledge in various ways, including:

  • Written answers, online assessments and tests, multiple choice questions, presentations, verbal questioning and practical tasks visually assessed by Trainer and Assessors.

What will you learn?

During our Exhibited Animals course, you’ll become familiar with the fundamental principles of working in the animal care industry. In addition to the topics covered in the Certificate II in Animal Care course, you will be introduced to:

  • Designing and renovating exhibits and enclosures to meet current industry standards for different species.
  • Understanding how exhibit design impacts animal welfare, including the ability to express natural behaviours.
  • Ensuring safety, security and interactive learning experiences through engaging exhibit designs.
  • The principles of working and volunteering in the animal care industry.
  • Understanding body language in animals and encouraging natural animal behaviours.
  • Low stress handling and minimising stress in an animal care environment.
  • Enrichment in an animal care environment including mental stimulation, exercise and feed planning and socialisation.
  • Animal health and well-being including first aid for animals, animal care hygiene routines to minimise spread of disease and more.

All of the skills and knowledge you will learn in this animal care and animal welfare course can be applied in an animal adoption, shelter or rescue based organisation or across a broad range of animal care facilities in commercial organisations. For more information on careers working with animals read our article Top 6 Animal Care Careers.

Course outcomes

AVT animal care graduates from our exhibited animals course, go on to a wide range of roles across the animal care industry. 

Job outcomes

Students who have completed the Certificate II in Animal Care go on to careers as a:

  • Animal care attendant
  • Kennel or cattery attendant 
  • Pet shop attendant
  • Vet assistant
  • Stable or farm hand
  • Wildlife carer

Career opportunities

Graduates from this course work in a range of animal care organisations such as:

  • Zoo and animal parks
  • Wildlife sanctuaries  
  • Wildlife and animal rehabilitation centres
  • Welfare organisations and shelters
  • Adoption and rehoming services
  • Dog kennels, catteries and boarding facilities
  • Pet shops and retail businesses
  • Dog daycare centres
  • At home services including self-employment in dog walking and pet sitting

Pathways

Successful completion of this course prepares students for pathways to the following study options:

Course content

Select headings below to find out the units of study

All students must complete the following core units:

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

Students will also be required to study:

  • ACMGEN205 Source information for animal care needs
  • ACMINF201 Handle companion animals safely and follow infection control guidelines
  • ACMGEN309 Provide basic first aid
  • ACMSPE322 Provide general care of rodents and rabbits
  • ACMEXH309 Contribute to exhibit design and renovation planning

Why choose this course?

  • Easy to Learn Format

    Complete with online instructional videos and materials to help you understand and apply theory easily.

  • A Stress Free Course

    There is no need to worry about finding a work placement yourself. Your hands-on practical training will be conducted at Landsdale Farm.

  • Supportive Learning

    Our Qualified Trainers and Assessors will assist you during your studies plus our Student Support team are available to provide help and guidance.

  • Hands-on Learning

    You will work hands-on with a range of companion and farm animals at Landsdale Farm learning a range of practical skills.

  • Industry Leading Knowledge

    We develop and deliver our own tailored course material, so you get the latest and most up-to-date knowledge.

  • Increase your Opportunities

    An AVT certificate is well recognised by industry and will give you job ready skills to increase your opportunities for employment and provides recognition towards entry into further studies.

Meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Nursing

This qualification meets the prerequisite for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Due to high demand, our AVT selection criteria also applies.

AVT is an independent animal care focused Registered Training Organisation (RTO). We do not have third-party arrangements with other training providers to acquire content or distribute qualifications. All course material is written and delivered by our team of qualified educators. 

 

NRT - nationally recognised training - for animal studies, horse care and vet nursing

What students are saying about this course

Fees & inclusions

Fee information coming soon!

Fees & inclusions

Your course fees will depend on your eligibility for a Jobs and Skills WA based funded position and your concession status. Please see detailed fees and funding information here. All fees are payable via our monthly payment plan. 

  • Funded concession: $796.91*
  • Funded non-concession: $2,246.16*
  • Full fee: $3,900*

Our fees include:

  • Dedicated student support
  • One-on-one support from AVT Trainers 
  • Membership to a Private Facebook Group for your class
  • Access to the AVT interactive online eLearning Centre
  • Assessments and Certification
  • Practical training insurance
  • Work Placement Kit: Uniform, name badge and workbook

If you would like more information about our fees, the initial deposit and payment plan, including options, please contact our friendly Student Support Team OR Request a Call

*Funded places are subject to eligibility and availability. The Student tuition fees are indicative only and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as resource fees and other fees. Full fees apply for participants who do not meet the Jobs and Skills WA Participation – Work Readiness program eligibility criteria.

If you decide to withdraw from study for any reason, refunds are not issued unless you are a Jobs and Skills WA funded student. Please see our policies page for full details.

Apply now

Course Dates

Feb 2025 Intake
10 Feb 2025 - 15 Sep 2025

Be notified of future intakes

This course has limited places. We recommend submitting your application, as early as possible.  AVT reserves the right to cancel or make changes to the location and training days for this course (See cancellation policy). For full details of the application process please visit this link.

FAQs

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.

Why choose AVT?

Dedicated Animal Care College

AVT has been delivering Vet Nursing and Animal Care related courses for over 25 years. It's safe to say there are no plumbing or hairdressing courses here!

Prerequisite course for veterinary nursing

Outstanding Track Record

A recent NCVER VET student outcomes report found 93% of AVT graduates were employed or enrolled in further study after training and 95% of graduates would recommend the training provided by AVT.

Prerequisite course for veterinary nursing

Safe and Supported Learning

Our qualified teaching team have many years of experience as well as extensive backgrounds in the veterinary and animal care industry. They're approachable and dedicated to helping students succeed.

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