UQ Skills logoCertificate III in Animal Care Services (Animal Care)
ACM30122


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Nationally accredited
qualification

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18 months

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Online learning +
work placements

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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.

Apply now

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.

Read UQ’s student immunisation requirements

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.

Units of competency and course codes

Study period 1: Animal behavioural science and welfare
Identify behaviours and interact safely with animalsACMBEH301
Access the welfare status of an animalACMGEN303
Contribute to workplace health and safety processesACMWHS301
Study period 2: Professional practice
Communicate effectively with clients and team membersACMGEN315
Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplacesACMGEN304
Study period 3: Animal anatomy and physiology
Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care workACMGEN314
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 dogsACMSPE316
Provide general care of domestic catsACMSPE317
Provide enrichment for animalsACMBEH302
Provide nutritional requirements for animalsACMGEN312
Study period 5: Animal care and nursing - mammals
Provide general care of mammalsACMSPE320
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 birdsACMSPE314
Provide general care of non-venomous reptilesACMSPE321
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 workACMINF301
Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeingACMGEN311
Provide basic animal first aidACMGEN309
Study period 8: Professional practice B
Provide reception services for an animal care facilityACMGEN310
Source and provide information for animal care needsACMGEN205
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.

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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. 

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Telephone: +61 7 5460 1353
Email: uqskills@uq.edu.au

RTO code: #1511

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