If you’re just starting out on your dream of working with animals, this is a great place to start! This nationally recognised training course qualifies you for support roles at animal shelters, kennels, pet shops, and wildlife centres — the perfect way to kickstart your career in animal care, or gain the skills and experience to get you into other areas such as veterinary nursing.
The course covers feeding and watering animals, cleaning pens and enclosures, assisting with animal healthcare, communicating with coworkers, keeping safe at work, assisting with animal enrichment and welfare, providing animal first aid, basic grooming, and much more. The skills and knowledge you gain from this course will help you to stand out from the others when it comes time to start that dream career!
Choose a WA TAFE college that delivers this course
To find out more about doing this course at a WA TAFE college, select one of the TAFEs listed below to read their course descriptions. You'll also be able to see at which TAFE campus/es the course is delivered.
If you would like further information such as when the course is available and how to enrol, and details of course fees, or if you have questions about how the course is delivered, please follow the Find out more link to go to the TAFE's website where you will find full course details and contact information so that you can speak to the TAFE directly.
Do you have a passion for pooches, a calling to work with cats or even a fascination with fish? If you love animals and dream of a career in animal care, this course will give you a formal qualification to enter the industry.
Be guided by our team of skilled lecturers who have a wealth of experience in the field, pairing clinical expertise with the drive to provide the highest standard of care to animals to keep them safe, clean, well and content. Learn the foundations of general care of dogs, cats, fish, rodents, rabbits, mammals and invertebrates. Build your knowledge on how to safely handle animals, daily routines such as bathing and drying, assisting with health routines and providing reception services for an animal care facility.
You can gain job ready skills to work as an animal attendant in a kennel, cattery, groomers, vet clinic, local pet shop or even a welfare organisation/animal shelter for abandoned, neglected or injured animals that are in need of care.
90% of surveyed students were highly satisfied with this course.
Study in specialist facilities
SM TAFE is the only TAFE to offer a live veterinary clinic based at our Bentley campus which is open to the general public, staff and students to make bookings for consults and surgeries. Students can gain on-the-job skills in animal care with a range of species including dogs, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, lizards, fish, along with an aviary housing various birdlife. The clinic allows development of skills in a safe and supported environment.
Our Murdoch campus has a dedicated dog day-care training facility and pet grooming clinic where students can develop hands-on animal care skills in a real-world setting. Mandurah campus also has a modified version of a dog day-care, which represents a short-stay facility for dogs.
Choose a private training provider that delivers this course
This course is also available from registered training organisations (accredited private training providers) that are funded through Jobs and Skills WA. Select from the list below, and follow the link to the provider’s website for further information.
Are you an Animal Attendant, Animal Carer or currently working in an animal related role? Want to take your career to the next level? Gaining a nationally recognised qualification in animal care will give you the foundation knowledge and skills to progress your career, it will also help you stand out from the rest!
If you are considering starting a qualification whilst continuing employment with an animal care related employer, you can nominate Applied Vocational Training (AVT) to deliver the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care. Course material is delivered via blended learning and your practical training continues whilst you are at work.
If you are thinking about a future career as a Vet Nurse, this qualification meets the prerequisite for the national qualification in Veterinary Nursing.
AVT has been delivering animal care related qualifications for over 25 years and is a locally owned and operated Registered Training Organisation (No 5273). AVT’s courses are widely recognised and recommended by veterinarians and animal care businesses throughout WA. With an extensive team of veterinarians, veterinary nurses and animal scientists, AVT’s course material reflects current industry needs and standards.
Eligible Students can obtain subsidised fees, find out more on the AVT website.
Delivery location
The information presented on the course lists within this website is provided to the Department of Training and Workforce Development by the WA TAFE colleges and private training providers, and is offered as a guide only. It is updated regularly, however some changes to details may occur in between updates. You should always contact the TAFE or private training provider directly to confirm details and/or ask questions.