Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms
– George Eliot
This qualification will prepare you for entry-level and supporting roles in the animal care and management industry, where workers provide care for animals in workplaces such as:
- retail pet stores
- animal shelters
- boarding/daycare facilities
- sanctuaries and
- veterinary clinics.
For many students, this qualification assists them in determining whether they are interested in further study, to pursue employment in this industry.
| Module | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Animal Care | Learn about the course outcomes and career opportunities in the Animal Care industry. | |
| 1 | Work in the Animal Care Industry | Learn how to carry out animal care work using ethical and humane practices and contributing to a productive work environment. |
| 2 | Apply Communication Skills | Develop the skills and knowledge required to apply basic communication skills in the workplace, including identifying, gathering and conveying information along with completing assigned written information. |
| 3 | Participate in Workplace Health and Safety Processes | Develop an understanding of your responsibilities in the workplace relating to work, health and safety procedures. |
| 4 | Participate in Environmentally Sustainable Work Practices | Learn the skills and knowledge needed for measuring resources effectively, carry out improvements, including those that will reduce the negative impacts of work practices on the environment. |
| 5 | Handle Companion Animals Safely and Follow Infection Control Guidelines | Learn the skills and knowledge needed for measuring resources effectively, carry out improvements, including those that will reduce the negative impacts of work practices on the environment. |
| 6 | Complete animal care hygiene routines | Learn how to safely handle companion animals and maintain clean and hygienic conditions for effective infection control. |
| 7 | SWLA 1 |
Once you have completed your Structured Workplace Learning and Assessments (SWLA) requirements for the previous modules, you will submit the following as part of this module:
|
| 8 | Feed and Water Animals | Develop the skills and knowledge of different animal dietary requirements and how to prepare, present and distribute food and water. |
| 9 | Provide Enrichment for Animals | Understand methods when providing enrichment to all animals. Learn how to stimulate, replenish and maintain appropriate behavioural, including animals that are housed in an animal care facility. |
| 10 | Assist in Health Care of Animals | Learn how to provide assistance to experienced staff in the handling and securing of animals for assessment and the preparation, application and documentation of health care treatments and first aid. |
| 11 | Provide Basic Animal First Aid | Develop the skills and knowledge required to provide essential first aid for animals. Learn about your responsibilities as a first aider and how to provide an initial response where first aid is required. |
| 12 | Provide Reception Services for an Animal Care Facility | Gain the skills and knowledge required to undertake office reception and administration activities, including scheduling and basic financial tasks for an animal care facility. |
| 13 | Source and Provide Information for Animal Care Needs | Learn to source, interpret and provide information on animal care products and services to complete workplace tasks and to provide information to others in the workplace. |
| 14 | SWLA 2 |
Once you have completed your Structured Workplace Learning and Assessments (SWLA) requirements for the previous modules, you will submit the following as part of this module:
|
Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment
Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment (SWLA) is a compulsory part of ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care, facilitating the opportunity for students to apply their skills and knowledge gained throughout the course in a workplace environment. The Work Placement commitment is 104 hours in total and is aligned to all twelve (12) units within the course. Work Placement is split into two (2) blocks as follows:
| Block nr | Module nr | Unit code and title | SWLA hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block 1 | Module 1 | Work in the Animal Care Industry | 10 hours |
| Module 2 | Apply Communication Skills | 8 hours | |
| Module 3 | Participate in workplace health and safety processes | 8 hours | |
| Module 4 | Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | 8 hours | |
| Module 5 | Handle Companion Animals Safely and Follow Infection Control Guidelines | 10 hours | |
| Module 6 | Complete Animal Care Hygiene Routines | 10 hours | |
| Block 2 | Module 8 | Feed and Water Animals | 8 hours |
| Module 9 | Provide Enrichment for Animals | 8 hours | |
| Module 10 | Assist in Health Care of Animals | 8 hours | |
| Module 11 | Provide Basic Animal First Aid | 10 hours | |
| Module 12 | Provide Reception Services for an Animal Care Facility | 8 hours | |
| Module 13 | Source and Provide Information for Animal Care Needs | 8 hours |
Prior to commencing SWLA, you must successfully complete a range of knowledge-based assessments relating to the skills and competencies that are to be applied and developed during your SWL A experience.
For further details about SWLA, please read the Student Guide to Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment document.
Before commencing SWLA:
- Complete the Host Organisation Approval Form providing required details about your workplace, its facilities and resources and the details of your proposed Workplace Supervisor.
- Once the Host Organisation is approved, provide a copy of the Supervisor Guide to Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment to your proposed Workplace Supervisor.
- Have a general workplace orientation in the Host Organisation.
- Provide all required documentation to the Host Organisation as per their policies and procedures. Confirm the requirements with the workplace! This may include:
- uniform requirements.
For further details, read the Student Guide to Structured Workplace Learning and Assessment document that includes 'Frequently Asked Questions' for your information.