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Certificate III in Animal Care Services ACM30122
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Overview

This course will give you the skills and knowledge to care for a variety of animals including feeding, maintaining hygiene, maintaining housing, grooming and providing information to the public on products and services.

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 taking responsibility for your own work including carrying out tasks as directed, complying with animal welfare, organising processes, solving problems and working to schedules.

Qualification:

 Certificate III in Animal Care Services ACM30122

Next Intake:

 Semester 1 2025

Course No:

 C3-HS40

Campus:

 CIT Bruce 

Duration:

 4 days a week for 1 semester, including work at our 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.

Indicative Cost:

 Standard $2,160
Apprentice/Trainee
    Subsidised $530

Likely Job Outcome:
  • Pet shop/aquarium assistant
  • Kennel attendant
  • Cattery attendant
  • Dog day care attendant
  • Animal care receptionist
  • Pet exerciser
  • Animal Carer
  • Assistant grooming attendant

Application Type:

 Standard
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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 program.

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

This course prepares students who are considering following up this qualification with a Certificate IV in Vet Nursing

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 literacy levels of at least 3 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 the lower level course. Please visit Foundation Skills.

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 17 subjects

Core: Complete all 7

  • ACMBEH301   Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals
    • CIT Code: ANIM342
      Cost: Standard $160.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and interpret behaviour and safely handle, interact and respond to animals in a range of animal care facilities and environments. It can be applied to a range of animal species. This unit applies to individuals who are required to handle and interact with animals in close proximity in an animal care workplace. They work independently and take responsibility for the quality of their own work, including carrying out assigned tasks, solving routine problems and working to required timeframes. 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
  • ACMGEN303   Assess the welfare status of an animal
    • CIT Code: ANIM343
      Cost: Standard $160.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to assess the welfare status of an animal using an industry recognised animal welfare assessment framework or model and tool. The unit applies to individuals who work with animals in a range of environments and facilities. They take responsibility for monitoring, caring for and reporting on the welfare of animals in their care. All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to 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
  • ACMGEN304   Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces
    • CIT Code: ANIM344
      Cost: Standard $110.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage personal wellbeing and psychological health and safety in workplaces involving animals. It includes identifying the hazards and challenges of the work, developing a proactive self-care action plan and contributing to positive support strategies. The unit applies to individuals who work with animals in a range of environments and facilities, performing individual and team activities. They work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. 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
  • 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
  • ACMGEN315   Communicate effectively with clients and team members
    • CIT Code: ANIM324
      Cost: Standard $90.00
      Apprentice $20.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, a supervisor, team members and industry representatives.The unit applies to individuals who work in organisations in operational roles with some supervision.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMINF301   Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work
    • CIT Code: ANIM249
      Cost: Standard $160.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care workplaces and relevant field locations.This unit applies to animal care workers who have a duty of care to maintain infection control standards.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMWHS301   Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
    • CIT Code: ANIM267
      Cost: Standard $110.00
      Apprentice $20.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan, support and contribute to work health and safety processes in an animal care environment.This unit applies to individuals who have responsibility for maintaining work health and safety as part of their role, including duty of care for other workers. They contribute to work health and safety compliance in addition to their main duties.No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to 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

Electives: Complete 10

  • ACMBEH302   Provide enrichment for animals
    • CIT Code: ANIM301
      Cost: Standard $120.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide enrichment to stimulate, replenish and maintain appropriate behavioural patterns of all animals, including those housed short-term or long-term in an animal care facility.The unit applies to individuals working in the animal care industry where it is necessary to provide enrichment programs for animals. 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
  • ACMGEN308   Walk and exercise dogs
    • CIT Code: ANIM345
      Cost: Standard $120.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage dog walking and exercise activities for clients or the workplace. This unit applies to individuals working in the companion animal industry sector where dog walking and exercise services are provided, and may include boarding/day care facilities, welfare organisations and animal shelters. They work independently and take responsibility for the quality of their own work, including carrying out assigned tasks, selecting products and techniques, solving problems and working to required timeframes. 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. Local animal management regulations relating to dogs in the community vary according to jurisdiction and should be checked by users of this unit. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • ACMGEN311   Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing
    • CIT Code: ANIM320
      Cost: Standard $140.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow animal health management practices to monitor animal health via daily observations of behaviour and condition. The animals may include a range of species housed long-term or cared for short-term in a workplace.This unit applies to individuals undertaking animal care activities in small to large scale animal facilities where it may be necessary to care for a range of animal species and to monitor the wellbeing of healthy, ill or injured animals. 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
  • ACMGEN312   Provide nutritional requirements for animals
    • CIT Code: ANIM321
      Cost: Standard $160.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare rations based on animal species needs and availability of food products.The unit applies to individuals working in the animal care industry who feed and provide nutritional requirements for animals, in a range of small to large facilities. 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
  • ACMBEH404   Condition animal behaviour
    • CIT Code: ANIM302
      Cost: Standard $160.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to condition animals using positive conditioning techniques. It applies to a range of species and includes the individual demonstrating skills and knowledge required for conditioning animals to others.This unit applies to individuals with responsibility for formulating and implementing an animal conditioning plan that may include operant and classical conditioning processes. They work autonomously and apply specialist knowledge and skills to provide solutions for predictable and unpredictable problems, and may have accountability for the work of others.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • ACMGEN310   Provide reception services for an animal care facility
    • CIT Code: ANIM319
      Cost: Standard $110.00
      Apprentice $40.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to undertake office reception and administration activities, including scheduling and basic financial tasks for an animal care facility.This unit applies to individuals in the animal care industry who 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
  • ACMSPE317   Provide general care of domestic cats
    • CIT Code: ANIM331
      Cost: Standard $110.00
      Apprentice $30.00
      Description: This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify domestic cats and their behavioural and physical needs, and provide daily care requirements.This unit applies to individuals working in the animal care industry where domestic cats are bred, reared, trained, cared for or housed.This may include animal shelters, pet shops, catteries, 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 II Animal Care ACM20121
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