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Environment & Animal Studies

Certificate II in Animal Care

ACM20121

Get ready to spend your days surrounded by animals. Equip yourself with the practical skills to set yourself up for a long-term career in this popular industry. By graduating industry-ready you will enjoy a diverse range of career opportunities.
  • Flexible payment options
  • Study to fit into your routine
  • Nationally recognised accreditation
  • Start studying as soon as you enrol
  • No exams, ever.
Start studying today
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Certificate II in Animal Care

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Certificate II in Animal Care

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Certificate II in Animal Care

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Certificate II in Animal Care
Start studying today

Intro to Certificate II in Animal Care

Work with Animals

Our nationally accredited ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care will provide an excellent foundation for your career in animal care. You will learn how to care for a variety of animals and turn your passion into an exciting career.

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Job Outcomes

Explore More Careers

Job Skills

  • Pet grooming
  • Animal care
  • Animal first aid
  • Feeding animals
  • Maintain records
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Course breakdown

What you’ll learn in this course

This qualification includes a range of units designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge required to provide the right care for a variety of animals. You’ll gain skills in animal care management, reception duties, communication, basic animal care, hygiene, animal welfare, and many more. Start your dream career working with animals today.

Certificate II in Animal Care

ACMGEN201
Work in the animal care industry
  • Contribute to a productive work environment
  • Recognise and identify animals in the workplace
  • Identify physical, social and behavioural characteristics
  • Incorporate animal needs in conduct of work practices
BSBCMM211
Apply communication skills
  • Identify communication requirements
  • Communicate using verbal and non-verbal communication skills
  • Draft written communications
ACMWHS201
Participate in workplace health and safety processes
  • Plan and prepare to work safely  
  • Conduct work safely  
  • Participate in work health and safety activities  
  • Follow emergency response procedures 
ACMGEN202
Complete animal care hygiene routines
  • Prepare to work
  • Check animals
  • Clean animal housing
  • Complete hygiene practices for animals
  • Complete post-hygiene care of animals
ACMGEN203
Feed and water animals
  • Prepare for feeding
  • Feed and water animals
  • Complete the feeding and watering process
5/ modules
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When can you start? Anytime you like!

There are no start and finish dates, no semesters, so no need to wait. Just enrol and start the path to your new life whenever you’re ready!

Very nice and easy
Hassan
Read more
Easy to apply, the communication was great whenever I needed help and the content was relevant to my future career. Easy payment plans available which helped a lot.
Michelle
Read more
Trainer/Assessors were extremely helpful in their feedback and supporting through your learning journey.
Bridget
Read more

Studying with Open Colleges

Study designed to
fit into your routine

What ever your reason for study, our courses are
designed to fit into your routine. 

  • No exams, ever.

    We mean it. Instead, assessments range from open book multiple choice quizzes, portfolios, videos & written assessments

  • Flexible study to fit into your routine

    Study anywhere at any time with 24/7 access to your units.

  • A learning platform optimized for online study

    Our courses are curated to maintain engagement across video, written content, assignments & audio.

Envision your routine while studying with Open Colleges

How quickly do you want to finish your course?

  • 18 months
  • 12 months
Learn more about online study
  • Daily routine
  • 07:00 am - 08:00 am

    Coffee + Study
  • 08:00 am - 09:00 am

    Morning routine + commute
  • 09:00 am - 05:00 pm

    Work
  • 05:00 pm - 06:30 pm

    Evening routine
  • 06:30 pm - 07:30 pm

    Study session
  • 07:30 pm - 08:00 pm

    Break
  • 08:00 pm - 09:00 pm

    Study session
  • 09:00 pm - onwards

    Relax

Study for a minimum 15.5 hours per week to complete modules in 18 months

  • Daily routine
  • 07:00 am - 08:00 am

    Coffee + Study
  • 08:00 am - 09:00 am

    Morning routine + commute
  • 09:00 am - 01:00 pm

    Work
  • 01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

    Lunch + Study
  • 02:00 pm - 05:00 pm

    Work
  • 05:00 pm - 06:30 pm

    Evening routine
  • 06:30 pm - 07:30 pm

    Study session
  • 07:30 pm - 08:30 pm

    Break
  • 08:30 pm - 09:30 pm

    Study session
  • 09:30 pm - onwards

    Relax

Study for a minimum 23.3 hours per week to complete modules in 12 months

Your course may include work placement which will be completed in addition to weekly study blocks.

We'll help you study smarter! 

Get in touch for tailored study advice
Our passionate team

Your trainer

Chantal McKinlay
Chantal has worked in the Animal Care Industry since 1997 with experience and qualifications in Animal Studies, Grooming and Veterinary Nursing and continues to work in the industry.
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Chantal McKinlay

Environment & Animal Studies
Chantal has worked in the Animal Care Industry since 1997 with experience and qualifications in Animal Studies, Grooming and Veterinary Nursing and continues to work in the industry.
Chantal has worked in the Animal Care Industry since 1997 with experience and qualifications in Animal Studies, Grooming and Veterinary Nursing and continues to work in the industry.

Chantal has been sharing her knowledge with students for over 10 years as a Trainer and Assessor, she is passionate about students gaining the fundamental knowledge and skills to set them up for a fulfilling career in the animal care field of their dreams and being advocates for the well-being of the animals in their care.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of work placement do I need to do for Certificate II in Animal Care?

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You will be required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of work placement in an approved host organisation. This should be completed in 2 blocks after successful completion of Modules 1-6 and Modules 8-13. To find out what the suitable workplaces are for this course, download the course guide.

Can I undertake this qualification if I'm under 18 years old?

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Yes, you can! But firstly, we will need permission from your parent or guardian before you can begin your studies.

Is this course a pre-requisite to other Animal course?

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Yes, this course is a pre-requisite for the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. So before you begin an exciting career in Vet nursing, make sure you complete this course.

When can I start the course?

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Anytime you like! The majority of our courses are ready for enrolment right now. There's no need to wait for a specific date or a new semester to start – just enrol, login, and start learning. If you enrol online today and complete your application, you can start studying the course today!

Please note: Courses offered by the Open Colleges School of Health, which are campus-based, do have specific intake dates. Be sure to check the course page for more information.

Study and pay, your way

Payment Options

Pay Upfront
Save 40%
$2,400.00 Save $1,600.00
was $4,000.00
Week to week
Pay as you go
Save 2%
Pay in 52 instalments over the length of your course.
$75.00 Weekly
Total course cost: $3,900.00
Save $100.00
was $4,000.00
Full course breakdown
TBD