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  4. Certificate III in Animal Care Services
QUALIFICATION

Certificate III in Animal Care Services


 National Code: ACM30122
 TAFE SA Code: TP01359


2025 start 2026 start

Description

Do you want to further your skills and knowledge, to gain a more senior role in the animal care industry? In this course you will learn about handling, health, and husbandry routines, for a variety of companion animal species. Your study also includes units that cover wellbeing for animal care workers, animal nutrition, infection control, animal behaviour and much more.

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Duration
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12 months 

Full Time

Animal Attendant
Animal Attendant
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Locations & Applications

Competitive Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Gilles Plains

640349

Blended Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Full Time Full Time
Day Only
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On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Online

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.
Blended

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.
Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.
Workplace

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Part Time

Part Time

Part Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes
International

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

If there are more applications for this course than places available, applicants will be ranked by date of application to this course

Please Read Before Applying

Industry Conditions and Skills
Declared vocations for the Certificate III in Animal Care include those working with Companion Animals. This qualification does not service inquiries and interest from industries working with large animals, such as dairy and equine.

Additional Uniforms, Equipment and Costs
$50.00 for a scrub top and disposable protective wear (PPE).

Fees

Average cost per semester
Total Fees for the 12 month course
Subsidised
$1,938
$3,876
Concession
$1,368
$2,736
You may be eligible for government subsidised training.
Subsidised Training Eligibility
Subsidised training may require applicants to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LLN).
What is the LLN?
Full Fee
$3,667
$7,334

Fees vary depending on subjects you enrol into. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to make any changes necessary. Fee updates will be available prior to offers being made.

  • Help with Fees

    Upfront Payment

    Each semester, fees can be paid online with VISA or Mastercard or at an Australia Post outlet.

    Read More

    Payment Plan

    If you have difficulty paying your fees upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

    Read More

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    Job roles covered by this qualification may include:
    Animal care receptionist and support officer
    Animal control and regulation assistant
    Animal health officer on indigenous communities
    Animal shelter assistant
    Assistant animal welfare officerJob roles covered by this qualification may include:
    Animal care receptionist and support officer
    Animal control and regulation assistant
    Animal health officer on indigenous communities
    Animal shelter assistant
    Assistant animal welfare officer

    Job roles covered by this qualification may include:
    Animal care receptionist and support officer
    Animal control and regulation assistant
    Animal health officer on indigenous communities
    Animal shelter assistant
    Assistant animal welfare officerJob roles covered by this qualification may include:
    Animal care receptionist and support officer
    Animal control and regulation assistant
    Animal health officer on indigenous communities
    Animal shelter assistant
    Assistant animal welfare officer

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Certificate III in Animal Care Services (ACM30122)
    This qualification is a general industry qualification for persons operating at an assistant level and undertaking animal care functions in an animal care workplace. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 7 core units and 10 elective units.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Assess the welfare status of an animal 60
    Communicate effectively with clients and team members 30
    Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work 60
    Contribute to workplace health and safety processes 50
    Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals 60
    Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces 40
    Provide basic animal first aid 40

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing 50
    Provide enrichment for animals 40
    Provide general care of birds 40
    Provide general care of domestic cats 40
    Provide general care of domestic dogs 40
    Provide general care of non-venomous reptiles 40
    Provide general care of rodents or rabbits 40
    Provide nutritional requirements for animals 60
    Provide reception services for an animal care facility 30
    Walk and exercise dogs 40

Further Information

Brochure

Course guide

Brochure

Pre-enrolment Brochure

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

Certificate III in Animal Care Services
TP01359
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