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Certificate II in Animal Care ACM20121
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Overview

This qualification is aimed as an entry point into the animal care industry, where workers provide care for animals in workplaces such as animal shelters, kennels, catteries, dog day care programs, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics.

You will work with dogs on our Dog Day Care at CIT Bruce, as well as working with a variety of other animals, all at our animal house at Bruce. Work at this level involves activities which are routine, performed under supervision and within clearly defined guidelines.

This course may be available through Fee-Free TAFE. Learn more about Fee-Free TAFE

Qualification:

 Certificate II in Animal Care ACM20121

Next Intake:

 Semester 1 2025

Course No:

 C2-HS40

Campus:

 CIT Bruce 

Duration:

 2 days a week for 1 semester, plus 1 x 5 hours weekly shift in CIT Dog Day Care. You can choose to complete the course part time over a longer period if you wish.

Cost Info:

Enrolment fees for this course are based on the costs per subject as indicated below. The total course cost may vary depending on the choice of elective subjects or if subjects are attempted more than once. Subject costs identified as Standard are partially subsidised by the ACT Government. Concessions may be available to eligible students.

Further information about fees is available at Course fees and assistance

Indicative Cost:

 Standard $1,320
Apprentice/Trainee
  • Subsidised $430

Likely Job Outcome:
  • Animal care attendant
  • Animal shelter attendant
  • Kennel hand
  • Cattery attendant
  • Pet shop attendant
  • Assistant dog groomer
  • Dog day care attendant

Application Type:

 Standard; Fee Free TAFE
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Timetable Information

To help with the enrolment process print your timetable, or keep the window open, so that you can refer back to it for your course code, course name, and the Course Reference Numbers (CRNs) or Block Code.

Additional Information

This qualification includes a mandatory work experience placement at CIT Dog Day Care. This includes weekly 5-hour shifts, either morning or afternoons. This provides opportunities for students to practice skills that have been learnt in class and to complete assessment tasks. While in DDC students will be required to walk dogs on a regular basis which could include up to 2km in distance and will be expected to handle both large and small dogs.

Students will need to wear appropriate clothing for outdoor activities in all weather, including sturdy shoes.

Entry Requirements

Open entry.

Skills Recognition

To study any course at CIT (excluding non-accredited training) you must have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

Literacy Skills Information

We suggest that you will need Australian Core Skills Framework levels of at least 2 across reading, writing, learning, oral communication and, depending on your course of study, numeracy skills to successfully complete this course. If you do not have this level, you can still enrol and seek support to improve your skills or you may prefer to begin with a lower level course, or enrol in the Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways (FSK20119) to develop your literacy skills. Please visit CIT Foundation Skills page.

Transition Information

Qualifications at CIT are regularly updated or replaced to meet current industry needs and maximise your employment opportunities. If this occurs while you are part way through a qualification, you may need to vary your learning to meet the new national requirements. CIT will aim to make this as smooth as possible for you.

Subject Cancellations/Changes

To ensure positive outcomes for all students, CIT may need to cancel or change classes at short notice. CIT will make every effort to inform students as soon as changes are made and will also make every effort to offer alternative arrangements for students to meet the requirements of the subject and complete their qualification. In an unfortunate instance when this cannot be met, you will receive a full refund. Please ensure you maintain current contact details via CIT Self Service or by contacting CIT Student Services at infoline@cit.edu.au.


Subject Information

Complete 12 subjects

Core: Complete all 7

  • ACMGEN201   Work in the animal care industry
    • CIT Code: ANIM311
      Cost: Standard $90.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to carry out animal care work, using ethical and humane practices and contributing to a productive work environment.This unit applies to entry level workers in the animal care industry who undertake routine work under supervision. They have some accountability for their own work and solve predictable problems. Workplaces may include retail pet stores, boarding/day care facilities, animal shelters, animal welfare organisations, veterinary clinics, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMGEN202   Complete animal care hygiene routines
    • CIT Code: ANIM312
      Cost: Standard $90.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide daily care of animals, including the cleaning of animal housing, and grooming or cleaning of animals.This unit applies to entry level workers in the animal care industry who undertake routine work under supervision. They have some accountability for their own work and solve predictable problems. Workplaces may include retail pet stores, boarding/day care facilities, animal shelters, veterinary clinics, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMGEN203   Feed and water animals
    • CIT Code: ANIM313
      Cost: Standard $110.00
      Apprentice $40.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare, present and distribute food and water for animals according to animal dietary requirements.This unit applies to entry level workers in the animal care industry who undertake routine work under supervision. They have some accountability for their own work and solve predictable problems. Workplaces may include retail pet stores, boarding/day care facilities, animal shelters, veterinary clinics, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMGEN204   Assist in health care of animals
    • CIT Code: ANIM314
      Cost: Standard $110.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide assistance to experienced staff in the handling and securing of animals for assessment and the preparation, application and documentation of health care treatments and first aid.This unit applies to entry level workers in the animal care industry who undertake routine work under supervision. They have some accountability for their own work and solve predictable problems. Workplaces may include retail pet stores, boarding/day care facilities, animal shelters, veterinary clinics, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMSUS201   Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
    • CIT Code: ANIM262
      Cost: Standard $90.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to measure current resource use effectively, and to carry out improvements, including those that will reduce the negative impacts of work practices on the environment.This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.Work routines meet organisational and compliance requirements for ethical handling and welfare of animals, environmental sustainability, work health and safety, and biosecurity appropriate to the work role.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMWHS201   Participate in workplace health and safety processes
    • CIT Code: ANIM266
      Cost: Standard $120.00
      Apprentice $40.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to work safely and participate in work health and safety processes in an animal care environment.This unit applies to individuals who require knowledge of work, health and safety to carry out their own work, either under direct supervision or with some individual responsibility.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • BSBCMM211   Apply communication skills
    • CIT Code: BUSN275
      Cost: Standard $110.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply basic communication skills in the workplace, including identifying, gathering and conveying information along with completing assigned written information.The unit applies to individuals working under direct supervision, who are developing basic skills and knowledge of workplace communication in preparation for working in a broad range of settings.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Electives: Complete 5

  • ACMGRM201   Bath, dry and brush domestic dogs
    • CIT Code: ANIM325
      Cost: Standard $110.00
      Apprentice $40.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to bath/wash, dry and brush domestic dogs with different coat types.The unit applies to individuals who work in the companion animal industry in a range of facilities and businesses, including grooming salons, pet care stores, veterinary clinics, boarding/day care and shelter facilities. They may work under supervision following defined instructions for routine tasks.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMINF201   Handle companion animals safely and follow infection control guidelines
    • CIT Code: ANIM341
      Cost: Standard $150.00
      Apprentice $50.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely handle companion animals and maintain clean and hygienic conditions for effective infection control in a range of environments where companion animals are cared for on a temporary basis. The unit focuses on dogs and cats. It may cover other companion animals such as birds, fish, rabbits and reptiles. The unit applies to individuals who are employed and/or volunteer in providing services that cater for companion animals such as shelters, catteries/kennels and day care facilities, and grooming/walking businesses. They work in known contexts dealing with routine tasks and a range of predictable problems. No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMGEN309   Provide basic animal first aid
    • CIT Code: ANIM335
      Cost: Standard $110.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide essential first aid for animals. The first aider is not expected to deal with complex cases or incidents, but to provide an initial response where first aid is required.The unit applies to individuals working in the animal care and management industry in a range of small to large facilities who may be required to apply animal first aid. They work under broad direction, typically in a team environment, and are required to take responsibility for their own work, including carrying out assigned tasks, organising processes, solving routine problems and working to schedules. All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMSPE316   Provide general care of domestic dogs
    • CIT Code: ANIM330
      Cost: Standard $120.00
      Apprentice $40.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify dogs and their behavioural and physical needs, and provide daily care requirements.This unit applies to individuals working in the animal care industry where domestic dogs are bred, reared, trained, cared for or housed. This may include animal shelters, pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels, companion animal training or grooming establishments or similar workplaces. This unit applies to individuals who work under broad supervision and provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable problems.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMSPE318   Provide general care of fish
    • CIT Code: ANIM339
      Cost: Standard $110.00
      Apprentice $40.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify fish and their behavioural and physical needs, and provide daily care requirements.This unit applies to individuals working in the animal care industry where it may be necessary to care for marine and/or freshwater fish. This may include aquariums, pet stores, zoos, animal technology facilities, catchers and distributors or similar workplaces. This unit applies to individuals who work under broad supervision and provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable problems.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Related Courses

Certificate IV Veterinary Nursing ACM40418
Certificate III Animal Care Services ACM30122
Statement Attainment Pet Care Skills
Statement Attainment Skills for Dog Care

More Information

For more information about this course please contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au