ACM20121 Certificate II Animal Care - Online

The Certificate II in Animal Care provides foundational skills for entry-level roles in animal care settings like shelters, kennels, and veterinary clinics. Delivered online at your own pace, this course combines comprehensive modules with hands-on work placements to ensure you're job-ready. You'll gain practical experience in real-world environments, caring for animals like cats and dogs, and tackling workplace health and safety (WHS) and infection control tasks. 

There are no entry requirements for this unit of competency. You do not need to have any prior learning in this field, you can be a complete novice. This nationally recognised course provides you with the foundations to progress on to further study areas.

This course is delivered online.

The Certificate II in Animal Studies is an online course you can complete at your own pace, with a suggested timeframe of six months. Regular check-ins with your assessor will keep you on track.

Enroll today and begin your journey in the next available intake—new start dates available weekly.

Core Units:

ACMWHS201 Participate in Workplace Health and Safety Processes

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.

ACMSUS201 Participate in Environmentally Sustainable Work Practices

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.

ACMGEN202 Complete Animal Care Hygiene Routines

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 under supervision.

BSBCMM211 Apply Communication Skills

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to participate in workplace communications in an animal care and management environment.

ACMGEN203 Feed and Water Animals

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare, present and distribute food and water for animals under supervision and according to animal dietary requirements.

ACMGEN204 Assist in Health Care of Animals

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide assistance to experienced staff in the capture, restraint and assessment of animals and the preparation, application and documentation of treatments.

Electives

ACMGEN205 Source and Provide Information for Animal Care Needs

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to gather information on medications, products and services for animals, and relate these to individual animal requirements.

ACMGRM201 Bath, Dry and Brush Domestic Dogs

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify dogs and their behavioural and physical needs, and provide daily care requirements.

ACMSPE317 Provide General Care of Domestic Cats

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.

ACMGEN309 Provide Basic Animal First Aid

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.

Additional Information
You will need to have a supervisor from your chosen facility agree to supervise you and observe you carrying out set tasks in your unit assessments. You will also be required to record observations and submit as evidence.

Already have qualifications or experience? Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows your existing skills and knowledge to be assessed for credit. Contact us for more details about the process and associated fees.

• Expert Guidance: Learn from industry professionals who care about your success.
• Hands-On Experience: Gain practical skills during your placement in real-world settings.
• Personalised Support: Small class sizes mean more one-on-one mentoring.
• Professional Connections: Build your network with industry leaders and potential employers.

• Digital textbooks and study resources
• Opportunities to network with others in the field