Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Animal Care)
ACM30122
Nationally accredited
qualification
18 months
Online learning +
work placements
Government subsidised
places
Graduate with a nationally recognised qualification and the skills to become a leader in the animal care industry with the Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Animal Care) ACM30122.
This unique program combines the best of animal sciences and applied animal care skills.
You’ll cover a range of core skills in:
- anatomy and physiology
- husbandry
- health and infection control
- nutrition
- animal handling.
How you’ll learn
This program is offered over 18 months, through a combination of online study, on-campus training workshops and workplace experience.
Our teachers will support you via video conference, phone or online chat sessions.
On campus workshop
This program includes a 3-day in-person intensive workshop at UQ Gatton where you’ll learn essential animal handling skills and techniques.
If you live within 100km of Gatton, you’re required to attend this workshop face-to-face. If you live more than 100km away, you’ll complete an online version of this session.
UQ has accommodation options for students travelling to Gatton:
- UQ Gatton Motel: $121 per room/per night
- Meals in dining hall: $15 per meal/per student.
If you are currently employed, you can complete this program as a traineeship.
Assessment
You will be assessed through written assessments, skills portfolios, online quizzes and practical demonstrations.
Start dates
- 28 April
- 28 July
- 27 October
All UQ Skills programs require access to a computer with a Windows operating system, up-to-date versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader, and a reliable internet connection.
Work Integrated Learning
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is an essential part of this program.
WIL is a placement you complete with an employer related to your field of study. This is your opportunity to put your skills into practice in a real workplace and gain experience for your resume to gain a head start upon graduation.
You’ll need access to a suitable workplace, as assessed by UQ Skills, before starting your first WIL block. This can be on an employed or volunteer basis to meet the vocational placement requirements and you will be provided guidance and support on how to engage with this process during your studies.
Read our blog post on finding work placement
Vaccination requirements
As you'll be exposed to animals and agricultural environments as part of your learning, immunisations against tetanus are mandatory. You'll need to provide evidence of immunisation before you commence your program.
You may also require vaccination against Q fever, lyssavirus, rabies or influenza (flu), depending on the work and environment within which you interact with animals.
If you fail to complete mandatory requirements, this may affect your ability to fulfil the inherent requirements of your program.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) testing
You’re required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy test as part of the enrolment process. This helps us identify and plan for any learning or support needs you may have before you start your training.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have recent work experience you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning.
Create your USI
You must provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before we can accept your enrolment.
Resources
2025 UQ Skills Student Handbook (PDF, 2.5 MB) (includes student support and guidance on fees, withdrawal and other policy information).
Certificate 3 Guarantee
Subsidised co-contribution fees:
- Enrolment fee (upfront, non-refundable, taken off total fees): $1,000
- Concessional: $3,550
- Non-concessional: $4,290
- Full fee without funding: $7,680
Visit our Funding page to find out if you are eligible for the subsidy.
Payment plans
You can pay for this program over 6 months, as part of a monthly payment plan. We’ll send you your first invoice after your start date. Payment plans incur a 10 per cent processing fee.
To achieve this qualification, you must complete 17 units of competency over 18 months.
Study period 1: Animal behavioural science and welfare | |||
---|---|---|---|
Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals | ACMBEH301 | ||
Access the welfare status of an animal | ACMGEN303 | ||
Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | ACMWHS301 | ||
Study period 2: Professional practice | |||
Communicate effectively with clients and team members | ACMGEN315 | ||
Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces | ACMGEN304 | ||
Study period 3: Animal anatomy and physiology | |||
Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work | ACMGEN314 | ||
Residential workshop: Intensive 3 Day workshop at UQ Gatton (Students who live more than 100km from UQ Gatton will complete the workshop online) | |||
Work placement 1: 72 hours (about 9 days) | |||
Study period 4: Animal care and nursing - cats and dogs | |||
Provide general care of domestic dogs | ACMSPE316 | ||
Provide general care of domestic cats | ACMSPE317 | ||
Provide enrichment for animals | ACMBEH302 | ||
Provide nutritional requirements for animals | ACMGEN312 | ||
Study period 5: Animal care and nursing - mammals | |||
Provide general care of mammals | ACMSPE320 | ||
Provide enrichment for animals (continued) | ACMBEH302 | ||
Provide nutritional requirements for animals (continued) | ACMGEN312 | ||
Study period 6: Animal care and nursing - birds or non-venomous reptiles | |||
Provide enrichment for animals (continued) | ACMBEH302 | ||
Provide nutritional requirements for animals (continued) | ACMGEN312 | ||
Electives (choose one) | |||
Provide general care of birds | ACMSPE314 | ||
Provide general care of non-venomous reptiles | ACMSPE321 | ||
Work placement 2: 80 hours (about 10 days) | |||
Study period 7: Animal health and wellbeing | |||
Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | ACMINF301 | ||
Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing | ACMGEN311 | ||
Provide basic animal first aid | ACMGEN309 | ||
Study period 8: Professional practice B | |||
Provide reception services for an animal care facility | ACMGEN310 | ||
Source and provide information for animal care needs | ACMGEN205 | ||
Work placement 3: 24 hours (about 3 days) |
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.
Careers
You may find employment as:
- animal attendant (veterinary clinic)
- animal care attendant (animal shelter)
- assistant animal welfare officer
- assistant dog groomer
- kennel hand or cattery attendant
- pet shop attendant.
Pathway
Use this program as a pathway towards a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing ACM40418, opening up your access to a range of clinical, surgical and specialist nursing roles.
If you choose to further your studies by completing a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, you will receive substantial credit for your Certificate III in Animal Care Services. This means you will be able to graduate faster, enter the industry sooner and earn higher wages.
Disclaimer
Details are correct at the time of upload and are subject to change. UQ Skills reserves the right to change programs, subjects or costs or to cancel a program based on consideration of student numbers and resource allocation. Ensure that you understand the program, subjects, associated costs and fee liability prior to signing an enrolment form.