ACM20121

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Certificate II in Animal Care

The fee you pay at TasTAFE will depend on the course you choose and may vary depending on the level of government subsidy available, the cost of delivery, any previous study you have undertaken and/or your personal circumstances.

Our fee estimator will give you an indication of the type of fee you might expect to pay, but is intended as a guide only and doesn’t include other costs associated with your course. Please contact us on 1300 655 307 to confirm your fee.

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Course overview

Back to Primary Industries, Horticulture & Environment

Locations

North
Alanvale

Attendance options

Full-time
Part-time

Study type

Mixed Learning
On-Site
Workplace

Tuition Fees

Subsidised $ 1,140.00
Concession $ 379.96
Commercial $ PoA

Additional fees may apply. For more information, see Fees, payments and other costs.

Submit an enquiry

Please note: The course overview is intended as a guide only. Not all courses are available at all locations or through all study types and attendance options. Please check Locations, Dates and Times below or enquire for further information.

Turn your passion for animals into a rewarding career.

This nationally recognised qualification provides you with the practical skills and knowledge to prepare you for job-ready entry level and support roles in workplaces such as animal shelters, boarding/day care facilities, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics.

You will learn key practices including feeding and hygiene controls, first aid, safe handling, and workplace communication to prepare you to be job-ready in a wide range of fields including animal control and regulation, animal technology, companion animal services and veterinary nursing.

On Campus

We have two course intakes for our 2026 Campus-based at Alanvale Campus. This course is delivered between 2 and 3 days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays:

Semester 1 intake – February to June

Semester 2 intake – Available from May

This course has 12 set units delivered face-to-face with a combination of theory and practicals on campus and within industry. This includes excursions at a variety of animal industry businesses to enhance your learning.

Workplace Based

Workplace-Based enquiries for our Workplace course are open at any time. You can enrol once you have secured employment or engagement in a suitable industry-specific workplace for your hands-on learning that covers all aspects of the units you are studying.

To commence this course, you will meet with one of our Animal Care teachers to discuss your enrolment, select your specific elective units and discuss your on-campus attendance for some units.

As well as the hands-on skills working directly with a variety of animals, you will gain experience in workplace communications and necessity skills.

On Campus

We have two course intakes for our 2026 Campus-based at Alanvale Campus. This course is delivered between 2 and 3 days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays:

Semester 1 intake – February to June

Semester 2 intake – Available from May

Workplace Based

To commence this course, you will meet with one of our Animal Care teachers to discuss your enrolment, select your specific elective units and discuss your on-campus attendance for some units.

As well as the hands-on skills working directly with a variety of animals, you will gain experience in workplace communications and necessity skills.

Locations, dates & times

Campus	Date	Attendance/Duration	Study type	Apply/Enquire
North
Alanvale	20 Jul 2026 - 30 Nov 2026	Full-time This is a face-to-face campus-based course, 2-3 days (Monday, Wednesday & Thursday) per week at Alanvale Campus.	On-Site	Apply now

Entry

As part of the application process, and before being offered a place in the course, a member of our Team will contact you to discuss if this course aligns with your goals and aspirations, and to ensure that you are fully informed and understand the course requirements.

Fees, payments and other costs

Your tuition fees cover the basic materials needed for your course, but may not cover items such as text books, workbooks, uniform, online learning resources or personal protective clothing. Depending on your course, there may also be other expenses that you need to budget for.

For this course, you will need to pay for the following items:

Excursion Fees: $90

For courses undertaken in 12 months or less, you will be invoiced the full course fee (including any other essential fees associated with your course).

*For courses studied over multiple years, your course and other fees will be split over the years of study, with the concession fee being charged on a yearly basis. At the time of enrolment you will be invoiced for the first year’s fees. An invoice will be raised in each subsequent year around the same time as your ‘enrolment anniversary’.

Further information on fees, payments and other costs.

Recognition of prior learning and skills

It makes sense that you should be recognised for the things you already know how to do.

TasTAFE can assess your skills and knowledge based on your previous education, work history or life experience – which may help you to gain your qualification a whole lot faster!

More information on the recognition process is available on our recognition of prior learning and skills page.

Assessment methods

Assessments are designed to help you demonstrate the skills and knowledge you learn in your course and are an essential part of your training. Assessments allow us to confirm that you can perform tasks to the standard required in the workplace, and that you can meet all of the requirements of your course.

While studying at TasTAFE, you may be assessed in a number of different ways. Some common assessment methods include:

completing workplace documents
observations on the job and/or in a simulated assessment environment
quizzes/multiple choice tests
research projects
tests – written or practical
verbal questioning
work samples
written assignments or short answers.

Desirable skills & attributes What you will need

There are different requirements depending on the course you are enrolled in.

Although not required, it is recommended that you have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection. Upon enrolment TasTAFE supply students a Microsoft Office license for the purpose of completing your study; including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Defender (Internet Security). TasTAFE has computers available for student use during normal business hours, at all major campuses.

For classes, please be prepared with standard items such as pens, notebook or paper, USB.

You may also need to bring specific equipment, tools or personal protective equipment, your teacher will let you know.

Outcome and units

On successful completion of this course you will receive a ACM20121 - Certificate II in Animal Care.

Below is a list of all core and elective units that TasTAFE offers in this course. The selection of units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend and the qualification packaging rules. For further information refer to training.gov.au.

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
ACMGEN309	Provide basic animal first aid
ACMSPE314	Provide general care of birds
ACMSPE316	Provide general care of domestic dogs
ACMSPE320	Provide general care of mammals
HLTAID011	Provide First Aid

Information Session

Career opportunities

Animal Control and Regulation Officer
Animal Rescue Worker
Animal Technology
Captive Animals
Companion Animal Service Industry
Veterinary Nursing Assistant
Zoo or Native Animal Park

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Information Session

Career opportunities

Animal Control and Regulation Officer
Animal Rescue Worker
Animal Technology
Captive Animals
Companion Animal Service Industry
Veterinary Nursing Assistant
Zoo or Native Animal Park

Save course

Share course

We’re here to help…

At TasTAFE, we understand that everyone's journey is different and sometimes you might need some extra support to achieve your study or career goals.

Whether you are at the very start of your training, returning to study after a long break, or looking to upskill in a specific area, we're here to help you to be successful in your chosen field of study, apprenticeship or traineeship.

Our student support services are available for all students, and aim to provide the support you need to make your learning experience just that little bit easier.

Find out more about what support is available

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Reg. 60142. CRICOS 03041M.

ACM20121
Certificate II in Animal Care

Estimate my tuition fees

Course overview

Locations

Attendance options

Study type

Tuition Fees

On Campus

Workplace Based

On Campus

Workplace Based

Information Session

Locations, dates & times

Information Session

Career opportunities

Information Session

Career opportunities

We’re here to help…