Kick-start your career in the animal care and management industry with the Certificate II in Animal Care ACM20121.

Designed for senior secondary students (Years 10, 11 and 12) as part of UQ Skills’ High School Program, this industry-based, nationally recognised qualification will give you the knowledge and skills required to either join the workforce or continue on to further study.

You’ll cover a range of core skills in:

  • animal care hygiene routines
  • basic first aid
  • effective workplace communication
  • implementing health and safety processes and sustainable work practices.

Enquire online

    How you'll learn

    This program is delivered over 12 months (four high school terms), through a combination of online and face-to-face activity.

    During school term you'll attend training at UQ Gatton for:

    • Gatton-based model: one day per week
    • School-based model: 3-4 days each term.

    Assessment

    You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including written exams and reports, oral assessments and practical demonstrations.

    Start date

    22 January 2024

    You may find employment in the following roles:

    • assistant dog groomer
    • animal care or pet shop attendant
    • animal shelter attendant
    • kennel hand or cattery attendant
    • veterinary assistant.

    Pathways

    Use this qualification as a pathway into the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418).

    To achieve this qualification you must complete 12 units of competency.

    You will complete these units over 12 months.

    Units of competency and course codes

    Term 1: Animal care industry cluster
    Participate in workplace health and safety processesACMWHS201
    Work in the animal care industryACMGEN201
    Apply communication skillsBSBCMM211
    Term 2: Care of animals cluster
    Feed and water animalsACMGEN203
    Provide general care of domestic dogsACMSPE316
    Provide general care of domestic catsACMSPE317
    Provide enrichment for animalsACMBEH302
    Term 3: Animal health cluster
    Complete animal care hygiene routinesACMGEN202
    Carry out daily practice routinesACMVET202
    Assist in health care of animalsACMGEN204
    Term 4: Individual cluster
    Participate in environmentally sustainable work practicesACMSUS201
    Provide basic first aid for animalsACMGEN309

    Credit transfers: Our study periods are made up of units of competency so you can apply what you’ve learned in a real-world context. If we approve your credit transfer for one unit within a study period, we will waive your fee for that unit. In your assessment for the study period, you’ll have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve previously acquired. If we approve credit transfers for all your units within a study period, you won’t need to complete the study period. We do this so you can transfer your credits and successfully learn and be assessed in this program.

    Entry requirements

    There are no formal entry requirements for this program.

    You can apply for this program if you are in Years 10, 11 or 12 at an approved high school and have the approval of your parent/guardian and school. 

    Create your USI

    You must provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before we can accept your enrolment.

    Resources

    2024 UQ Skills Student Handbook (PDF, 2.7 MB) (includes student support and policy information)

    You won't have to pay a student contribution fee for this program if you are a high school student and eligible for Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) funding.

    • VET in Schools (VETiS) funded: fee-free
    • Full fee: $4,150 (discounts may apply - contact us for more information)