ACM30122 Certificate III Animal Care Services

The Certificate III in Animal Care Services equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel as an animal carer or veterinary nurse assistant. With a focus on hands-on learning, students gain experience in handpicked animal care facilities and veterinary practices, building expertise in animal handling, routine care, behaviour, welfare, and workplace safety, including infection control. 

This qualification is an ideal pathway to the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing and focuses on small animal care, including domestic, exotic, and wildlife species. 

*Please note: Travel to placement locations may be required (at your own expense).

There are no formal entry requirements for this course, though some experience with handling animals would be beneficial.

No matter where you’re based in Australia, we’ve got you covered with flexible delivery options.

This course is designed to be completed within 12 months.

We offer five intakes per year: January, February, April, July, and October.

Core Units:

ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals

This unit will allow you to demonstrate 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

ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, a supervisor, team members and industry representatives.

ACMGEN303 Assess welfare status of an animal

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.

ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing for self and others in animal care workplaces

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

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.

ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to comply with biosecurity and infection control policies and procedures in animal care workplaces and relevant field locations. Workplaces may include veterinary practices, catteries/kennels/shelters, pet grooming and equine services.

ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes

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.

Pre-chosen electives

ACMGEN312 Provide nutritional requirements for animals

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare rations based on animal species needs and availability of food products.

ACMGEN311 Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing

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

ACMBEH302 Provide enrichment for animals

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

ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to gather information on medications 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 bath/wash, dry and brush domestic dogs with different coat types.

ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to source, interpret and provide information on animal care products and services to complete workplace tasks and to provide information to others.

Small Small Animal electives

ACMSPE322 Provide general care of rodents or rabbits

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

ACMSPE316 Provide general care of 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.

ACMSPE314 Provide general care of birds

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

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 Training: Learn from internationally experienced trainers.
• Exclusive Placements: Gain hands-on experience in hand-picked animal facilities and veterinary practices.
• Workplace Insurance: Be covered during your practical training.
• Personalised Learning: Enjoy small group sessions for focused, tailored instruction.
• Ongoing Support: Benefit from mentoring and regular individual progression check-ins.
• Industry Networking: Connect with professionals and expand your career opportunities.

• Digital textbooks and study resources.
• Additional materials to enhance your training experience.