OverviewAbout this course
Enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career as an animal care worker. Understand animal behaviour, monitor their health and learn safe handling techniques. Spend your days interacting with and caring for animals to ensure their wellbeing. And yours, too.
OutcomesWhat you'll gain
Learning outcomes
Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:
Assess, maintain and monitor animal health
Provide basic first aid to animals
Identify animal behaviours and use safe handling techniques to interact with animals
Follow infection control policies
Manage personal wellbeing
Communicate effectively with clients and colleagues
Course outcomes
Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.
A nationally accredited qualification at Certificate III level
The ability to recognise different animal behaviours
Techniques to safely handle and care for animals
Experience providing basic animal first aid
Confidence to promote positive well-being in the workplace
SuitabilityIs this course right for you?
Entry requirements
This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol
Assessment conditions for Certificate III in Animal Care Services require learners to have access to an animal care facility. For some delivery locations, this may occur on a TAFE NSW site. Please check your preferred campus location for campus-specific entry requirements.
Completion requirements
During your study you’ll need to provide your teacher with the following evidence:
Entry recommendations
To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:
A passion for animals and their welfare
A patient and calm demeanour
A reasonable level of fitness to handle animals and carry out manual lifting
Access to a computer or personal device and an internet connection to complete home study
Appropriate clothing, which may include covered non-slip shoes, trousers and shirts for your classes. TAFE NSW will provide you with other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that is specific to animal care
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 10 high school level
TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test.
This skills test helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.
TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.
PathwaysFuture career and study options
Career pathways
Our graduates go onto roles like: animal carer and welfare worker, animal shelter/kennel/cattery worker, animal care receptionist or customer service staff, pet exerciser or minder, pet shop worker and rural and remote community animal health worker.
Study pathways
Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:
Previous study1 Course
Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.
Further study1 Course
Advance your skills to take your career to the next level
Related study2 Courses
Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.
Your experience counts
At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.
UnitsUnits taught in this course
Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Animal Care Services qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 17 units of competency, including 7 core and 10 speciality units.
Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.
Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.
Identify behaviours and interact safely with animalsACMBEH301
Assess the welfare status of an animalACMGEN303
Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplacesACMGEN304
Provide basic animal first aidACMGEN309
TAFE NSW servicesFacilities and support
TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.
TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries
Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations – get social with our student community