Course Overview
The qualification is made up of 12 units (7 core and 5 electives). Some units can be completed through online learning and simulated tasks; others require you to demonstrate practical skills with live animals in a workplace — which is why work placement is a required part of this course.
Who this course is for
- people seeking an entry-level pathway into animal care
- people considering further animal-care study
- career changers moving towards work with animals
- existing animal-care workers or volunteers who want a recognised qualification
- people who want practical experience through an approved workplace
This course is not designed for secondary school students studying through a school (that is MCIE’s separate VETDSS program). The course includes practical, physical and safety requirements that students need to consider before enrolling. Before enrolling, please consider whether you can undertake online study, participate safely with animals, complete the compulsory work placement, meet the practical and physical requirements, and travel to an approved placement host where required.
Why study this course
- A nationally recognised Certificate II qualification (ACM20121) delivered by MCIE, RTO 22172.
- Study the theory components online, supported by practical learning through compulsory work placement.
- Build real, hands-on experience through a compulsory work placement.
- Learn practical animal-care skills that may support entry-level roles or further study.
- Delivered by appropriately qualified MCIE trainers and assessors.
Skills students will develop
- Working safely in the animal care industry
- Feeding, watering and monitoring animals
- Animal care hygiene and infection-control routines
- Assisting with the health care of animals (under supervision)
- Handling animals safely
- Basic animal first aid
- Providing routine care for domestic dogs and cats — safe handling, feeding, hygiene and monitoring wellbeing
- Communication and information in an animal-care setting
Career opportunities after certification include:
Animal Care Attendant
Pet-Care
Assistant
Vet Support
Roles
Shelter Assistant
Program Details
National Code
ACM20121
Units
7 core + 5 elective
Total duration
Expected duration is 12 months, with a maximum of 18 months. Enrolments are taken on a rolling monthly basis, with each student commencing on their own start date.
Program delivery
Online – self paced
Course fees and payment
That’s why we offer a range of payment plan options designed to suit different budgets and circumstances.
Whether you prefer to pay upfront or spread the cost over manageable instalments, our team will work with you to find a solution that allows you to enrol with confidence.
Option 1: Pay the full fee (Get 45% discount!)
Tuition Fee: $4,000.00
Discounted Upfront Tuition fee: $2,200.00
Save as much as $1,800.00!
Option 2: Pay us weekly at $52 per week
Total number of instalments: 104
Initial payment of $200.00
Option 3: Pay us monthly at $208 per month
Total number of instalments: 24
Initial payment of $200.00
Entry requirements
Entry and suitability
Formal qualification entry requirements
There are no entry requirements for ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care.
MCIE entry requirement
Students must be at least 18 years of age to enrol in this course.
MCIE enrolment and suitability
Before enrolment, MCIE completes a pre-training review. Suitability considerations include language, literacy and numeracy, digital capability and ability to study online, ability to complete the compulsory work placement and travel to an approved placement host, ability to participate safely and physically with animals, communication, allergies and health considerations, and access to technology.
Compulsory work placement
This course includes 160 hours of work placement, which is an MCIE course requirement. Students must complete their placement in an approved animal care workplace and demonstrate the practical skills required for the qualification, including the safe handling and routine care of domestic dogs and cats. MCIE coordinates work placement through Skiltrak. Students are not required to find their own placement.
Placement locations and commencement dates depend on the availability of suitable approved host workplaces, and students may be required to travel to their allocated placement. Full payment and refund information will be provided before enrolment or payment of any fees.
Practical and Placement Requirements
★ COMPULSORY WORK PLACEMENT — This course cannot be completed by online study alone. You must complete practical tasks with live animals in an approved animal-care workplace through a compulsory work placement.
- Placement is compulsory and is additional to your online study time.
- Placement must be in an approved animal-care workplace with access to the animals and tasks required by the selected units — including domestic dogs and cats.
- You must be able to participate safely and physically in practical animal-care tasks.
Assessment Information
Assessment is competency-based — you demonstrate that you can do the tasks the qualification covers. Assessment combines online tasks with practical evidence collected in the workplace during placement.
Online learning
Study the theory components online, supported by practical learning through compulsory work placement.
Career Pathways
Completing this course may support entry-level pathways in the animal care industry.
Important: employment is not guaranteed and employer requirements vary. This course does not qualify you as a veterinary nurse, and it does not authorise you to independently diagnose, treat or perform veterinary procedures on animals.
Student Support
Students will receive trainer guidance and learning support, and information about accessing the online learning system and completing the practical and placement requirements.
Why Study With MCIE
Melbourne City Institute of Education (MCIE) is a registered training organisation (RTO 22172) delivering nationally recognised vocational training. This course is delivered by appropriately qualified MCIE trainers and assessors.
Work Placement Support
MCIE’s Work Placement Coordinator will facilitate work placement for students into approved animal-care workplaces.
Course Structure — Working Unit List
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
- ACMINF201 – Handle companion animals safely and follow infection control guidelines
- ACMGEN309 – Provide basic animal first aid
- ACMGEN205 – Source and provide information for animal care needs
- ACMSPE316 – Provide general care of domestic dogs
- ACMSPE317 – Provide general care of domestic cats
Plain-English Unit Summaries
Core Units
- ACMGEN201 — Work in the animal care industry
How the animal care industry works and how to work safely and professionally within it. - ACMGEN202 — Complete animal care hygiene routines
Cleaning, hygiene and sanitation routines that keep animals and facilities healthy. - ACMGEN203 — Feed and water animals
Preparing food and water for different animals and monitoring their intake and needs. - ACMGEN204 — Assist in health care of animals
Assisting, under supervision, with routine health care tasks for animals in an animal-care workplace. - ACMSUS201 — Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
Working in ways that reduce waste and use resources responsibly. - ACMWHS201 — Participate in workplace health and safety processes
Following workplace health and safety practices and helping keep the workplace safe. - BSBCMM211 — Apply communication skills
Communicating clearly and appropriately with people in a work setting.
Elective Units
- ACMINF201 — Handle companion animals safely and follow infection control guidelines
Learn to handle companion animals safely and apply infection-control practices in animal-care environments. - ACMGEN309 — Provide basic animal first aid
Learn to recognise signs of injury or distress and provide basic animal first aid within the limits of your role. - ACMGEN205 — Source and provide information for animal care needs
Learn to find, assess and provide reliable information about animal-care needs. - ACMSPE316 — Provide general care of domestic dogs
Learn to provide routine care for domestic dogs, including safe handling, feeding, hygiene and monitoring their general wellbeing. - ACMSPE317 — Provide general care of domestic cats
Learn to provide routine care for domestic cats, including safe handling, feeding, hygiene and monitoring their general wellbeing.
Further Study
- ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services
- ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Entry into ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is subject to the entry requirements of that qualification and any additional provider requirements.
This is Nationally Recognised Training, leads to an Australian Qualification that complies with the Australian Qualifications framework (AQF) qualification or a Statement of Attainment.
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