ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services
Working in animal care, not qualified?
Gain skills to work in the animal care industry, such as dog daycare, boarding, rescue shelters, pet sitting, dog walking, and breeding establishments.
SM TAFE has a fully working veterinary clinic at the Bentley campus, and a pet grooming clinic at the Murdoch campus.
Overview
Where Murdoch | Bentley
When Semester 2, 2025 | Semester 1, 2025
How On Campus
Do you love animals and want to follow your calling to work with cats, canines and all creatures? If your dream is to work day-to-day with animals, this course will give you job ready skills to be employed in a broad range of roles in the animal care industry, including dog daycare, boarding, rescue shelters, pet sitting, dog walking, breeding establishments and other animal businesses.
Learn from our expert team of lecturers who are specialists in animal care and passionate about teaching and maintaining the highest standards of health, feeding and welfare for animals. You’ll gain skills in interacting safely, providing animal first-aid, as well as walking and bathing dogs. Build your knowledge of how to provide care to a wide range of animal species including dogs, rodents, rabbits, birds, fish, and reptiles.
Our 12-month course at Bentley or Murdoch campuses is ideal if you wish to begin working in animal care, and if you're already employed or volunteering in the industry. The course will give you formal qualification to further develop your skillset and help advance further in your current workplace.
Our 6-month course at Bentley campus is perfect for those looking to gain entry into the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. This fast-paced pathway is designed to prepare you for the intensity of the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
Turn your passion into your profession and start your career in animal care with this entry-level course.
Study in specialist facilities
SM TAFE is the only TAFE to offer a live veterinary clinic based at our Bentley campus, open to the general public, staff and students to make bookings for consults and surgeries. Students 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 the development of skills in a safe and supported environment.
The Murdoch campus has a dedicated pet grooming clinic where students can develop hands-on animal care skills in a real-world setting.
- identify animal behaviours
- interact safely with animals
- assess the welfare status of animals
- comply with infection control policies/procedures
- provide animal first aid
- walk and exercise dogs
- bath, dry and brush dogs
- provide general care for dogs, rodents, rabbits, birds, fish, and reptiles
In order to make an informed choice about the suitability of this course, you must take into account the essential skills and knowledge required to undertake this training.
6-month course (Bentley only)
- 5 days a week on campus
- intense/fast-paced workload
- strong time management skills with the ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines
- excellent communication skills
- strong critical thinking skills
12-month course (Murdoch / Bentley)
- 3 days a week on campus
- ability to identify and strictly follow workplace safety standards (working safely)
- commitment to adhering to welfare standards (performing routine welfare tasks)
- capability to work effectively as part of a team
- respectful attitude toward staff, students, clients, and animals
- willingness to observe and communicate changes in animal behaviour
- willingness to use communication skills, particularly for discussing safety standards in team meetings (communicating hazards in the animal care environment)
- ability to relay general information to clients in person and over the phone (e.g. grooming and daycare)
- adequate fitness and mobility to support restraining and controlling dogs of various sizes (e.g. walking, lifting, restraining on the floor, standing for long periods)
- physical capability to demonstrate a range of specific tasks
- good time management, ability to work under pressure, and handle a heavy workload, with reliability in attending live work sessions and completing tasks as needed
- effective task prioritisation
- willingness and availability to meet the full-time requirements of the course
- willingness to use problem-solving skills (independent thinking, particularly in grooming standards)
- ability to work comfortably with dogs and manage any relevant allergies
Select your preferred campus and apply
Semester 1, 2025
Details
Units and fees
Semester 1, 2025
Core
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals | $268.40 | $80.85 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN303 Assess the welfare status of an animal | $268.40 | $80.85 | $27.25 |
| ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | $195.20 | $58.80 | $45.75 |
| ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | $292.80 | $88.20 | $51.25 |
Elective
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $43.50 |
|
|
$195.20 | $58.80 | $54.50 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $43.50 |
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $38.00 |
Semester 1, 2025 fee
| Tuition fee | Resource fee | Total fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | $1,659.20 | $331.00 | $1,990.20 |
| Concession | $499.80 | $331.00 | $830.80 |
Semester 2, 2025
Core
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces | $170.80 | $51.45 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid | $170.80 | $51.45 | $43.50 |
| ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members | $122.00 | $36.75 | $11.00 |
Elective
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
$292.80 | $88.20 | $54.50 |
|
|
$390.40 | $117.60 | $43.50 |
|
|
$317.20 | $95.55 | $43.50 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $38.00 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $38.00 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $48.75 |
Semester 2, 2025 fee
| Tuition fee | Resource fee | Total fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | $1,756.80 | $348.00 | $2,104.80 |
| Concession | $529.20 | $348.00 | $877.20 |
Indicative fees and charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of fee disclaimers.
Details
Units and fees
Semester 1, 2025
Core
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals | $268.40 | $80.85 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN303 Assess the welfare status of an animal | $268.40 | $80.85 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces | $170.80 | $51.45 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members | $122.00 | $36.75 | $11.00 |
| ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | $292.80 | $88.20 | $51.25 |
Elective
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
$317.20 | $95.55 | $43.50 |
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $27.25 |
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $43.50 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $43.50 |
Semester 1, 2025 fee
| Tuition fee | Resource fee | Total fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | $1,878.80 | $301.75 | $2,180.55 |
| Concession | $565.95 | $301.75 | $867.70 |
Semester 2, 2025
Core
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid | $170.80 | $51.45 | $43.50 |
| ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | $195.20 | $58.80 | $45.75 |
Elective
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
$292.80 | $88.20 | $54.50 |
|
|
$292.80 | $88.20 | $57.00 |
|
|
$317.20 | $95.55 | $27.25 |
|
|
$390.40 | $117.60 | $43.50 |
|
|
$317.20 | $95.55 | $43.50 |
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $38.00 |
Semester 2, 2025 fee
| Tuition fee | Resource fee | Total fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | $2,147.20 | $353.00 | $2,500.20 |
| Concession | $646.80 | $353.00 | $999.80 |
Indicative fees and charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of fee disclaimers.
Semester 2, 2025
Details
Units and fees
Semester 2, 2025
Core
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals | $268.40 | $80.85 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN303 Assess the welfare status of an animal | $268.40 | $80.85 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces | $170.80 | $51.45 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members | $122.00 | $36.75 | $11.00 |
| ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | $292.80 | $88.20 | $51.25 |
Elective
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
$317.20 | $95.55 | $43.50 |
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $27.25 |
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $43.50 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $43.50 |
Semester 2, 2025 fee
| Tuition fee | Resource fee | Total fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | $1,878.80 | $301.75 | $2,180.55 |
| Concession | $565.95 | $301.75 | $867.70 |
Semester 1, 2026
Core
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid | $170.80 | $51.45 | $43.50 |
| ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | $195.20 | $58.80 | $45.75 |
Elective
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
$292.80 | $88.20 | $54.50 |
|
|
$292.80 | $88.20 | $57.00 |
|
|
$317.20 | $95.55 | $27.25 |
|
|
$390.40 | $117.60 | $43.50 |
|
|
$317.20 | $95.55 | $43.50 |
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $38.00 |
Semester 1, 2026 fee
| Tuition fee | Resource fee | Total fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | $2,147.20 | $353.00 | $2,500.20 |
| Concession | $646.80 | $353.00 | $999.80 |
Indicative fees and charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of fee disclaimers.
Details
Units and fees
Semester 2, 2025
Core
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals | $268.40 | $80.85 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN303 Assess the welfare status of an animal | $268.40 | $80.85 | $27.25 |
| ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | $195.20 | $58.80 | $45.75 |
| ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | $292.80 | $88.20 | $51.25 |
Elective
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $43.50 |
|
|
$195.20 | $58.80 | $54.50 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $43.50 |
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $38.00 |
Semester 2, 2025 fee
| Tuition fee | Resource fee | Total fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | $1,659.20 | $331.00 | $1,990.20 |
| Concession | $499.80 | $331.00 | $830.80 |
Semester 1, 2026
Core
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces | $170.80 | $51.45 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid | $170.80 | $51.45 | $43.50 |
| ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members | $122.00 | $36.75 | $11.00 |
Elective
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
$292.80 | $88.20 | $54.50 |
|
|
$390.40 | $117.60 | $43.50 |
|
|
$317.20 | $95.55 | $43.50 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $38.00 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $38.00 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $48.75 |
Semester 1, 2026 fee
| Tuition fee | Resource fee | Total fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | $1,756.80 | $348.00 | $2,104.80 |
| Concession | $529.20 | $348.00 | $877.20 |
Indicative fees and charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of fee disclaimers.
Details
Units and fees
Semester 2, 2025
Core
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals | $268.40 | $80.85 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN303 Assess the welfare status of an animal | $268.40 | $80.85 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces | $170.80 | $51.45 | $27.25 |
| ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid | $170.80 | $51.45 | $43.50 |
| ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members | $122.00 | $36.75 | $11.00 |
| ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | $195.20 | $58.80 | $45.75 |
| ACMWHS301 Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | $292.80 | $88.20 | $51.25 |
Elective
| National ID Unit title | General fee | Concession | Resource fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
$292.80 | $88.20 | $54.50 |
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $27.25 |
|
|
$170.80 | $51.45 | $43.50 |
|
|
$390.40 | $117.60 | $43.50 |
|
|
$195.20 | $58.80 | $54.50 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $38.00 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $43.50 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $34.25 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $38.00 |
|
|
$97.60 | $29.40 | $48.75 |
Semester 2, 2025 fee
| Tuition fee | Resource fee | Total fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | $3,196.40 | $659.00 | $3,855.40 |
| Concession | $962.85 | $659.00 | $1,621.85 |
Indicative fees and charges
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for all units in the course for students enrolling on a full-time basis. If you're a student that has successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in to complete this course. Please view the full list of fee disclaimers.