Course details
NOTE: the Taronga Training Institute has entered a partnership agreement with Perth Zoo to allow for the delivery of the ACM30321 Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care at Perth Zoo. Classroom sessions and practical placements will be conducted at Perth Zoo.
The Perth course is run in intensive study blocks over 12 months beginning in February each year. There is no mid-year intake of this course at the Perth Campus.
- Course Structure: This course includes a combination of class sessions, practical assessment sessions, tutorials and workshops onsite at Perth Zoo. Blocks are Monday to Friday. There is a total of 7 x 1-week blocks throughout the year
- Practical Requirements: The practical component of this course is via 3 x 2-week blocks at Perth Zoo. Practical placements will commence as early as 7am and finish by 5pm.
- Study Load: There are a total of 16 units of competency to be completed to a satisfactory level. This includes face to face classes, tutorials, workshops, practical assessment sessions and practical placement requirements. Independent study, research, learning activities and assessments are completed in your own time. It is expected that you will spend approximately 30+ hours per week completing the course requirements
Course entry requirements
Students must turn 18 years of age before the start of their practical placement.
Students must be an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or New Zealand Citizen
Students must attend all mandatory dates which include classroom sessions, practical assessment days, workshops and practical placement days
Students must have completed a Certificate II in Animal Care (or previous studies in an animal related field ), or have worked/volunteered at an animal care workplace for a minimum of 250 hours in the past 12 months.
Students should have a high level of health and fitness in order to fully participate in the course
Students should demonstrate good English and communication skills, both written and verbal, and basic numeracy skills
Students must have access to an animal appropriate to train (eg: dog, cat, bird) as part of ACMBEH404 Condition animal behaviour
Units of competency
Core Units
- ACMWHS301 Contribute to Workplace Health Ssafety processes
- ACMGEN311 Maintain and monitor health and wellbeing
- ACMBEH302 Provide enrichment for animals
- ACMGEN312 Provide nutritional requirements for animals
- ACMEXH301 Work within a zoological facility
- ACMGEN301 Prepare and present information to the public
- ACMEXH303 Prepare and maintain animal habitats
- ACMEXH304 Assist with capturing, restraining and moving animals
- ACMSUS401 Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
- ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces
- ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members
- ACMGEN303 Assess the welfare status of an animal
Elective Units
- ACMEXH309 Contribute to exhibit design and renovation planning
- ACMBEH404 Condition animal behaviour
- ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal work
- ACMEXH305 Monitor animal reproduction
NOTE: All 16 units (12 core and 4 electives) must be completed to gain the Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care.
Pathways
Upon successful completion of ACM30321 Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care, further study options may be available external to Taronga.
Please refer to Australian Training Sector website for further details on available courses.
Application process
Applications for 2025 have now closed.
This course is highly competitive and we have an application phase followed by a two-part interview phase. The online application process is used to determine your suitability within the course. Ensure you spend time reading the questions and completing your application before submitting. Please note that the application form is not designed to be completed on a mobile device. Please use a laptop or desktop computer when applying
All applicants must:
Read the course information above and ensure you can meet the requirements of the course before lodging an application
Read the Taronga Training Institute Student Handbook prior to completing an application
Complete ALL questions in the online application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and cannot progress any further
Read the terms and conditions below of applying - proceed to apply only if you agree and can comply with the conditions
Answer the selection criteria questions contained within the application
Copies of the following, as relevant to you, will need to be uploaded at the time of your online application and you should gather electronic copies of the documents before commencing your application:
- A copy of your Student Transcript showing units of competency that you have successfully completed in an Animal related field of study OR a letter of recommendation indicating that you have demonstrated experience working with animals in the past 12 months
- your Unique Student Identifier (USI)
On submission of your application you should receive a confirmation email to the email address you provided within your application. If you do not receive a confirmation email from Taronga Training Institute within 24 hours, please first check your Junk Mail or Spam Folder and then contact us at tti@zoo.nsw.gov.au.
Applicants who are short listed will progress to the second stage of the enrolment process to attend a face-to-face interview. A video conference can be organised if necessary. Specific dates will be provided to those who are progressing to the interview stage.
During your interview you will be requested to provide the originals of the documents uploaded during the application process:
Your original Student Transcript or a letter of recommendation indicating that you have a minimum of 250 hours demonstrated experience working with animals in the past 12 months.
Your original birth certificate or passport as proof of Australian Citizenship or permanent residency
Your original photo ID
If your application is successful, you will be required to accept your position and complete the enrolment requirements within 72 hours. Applicants are welcome to apply for more than one campus and need only complete the application once.
For the January intake you can apply for/express interest in between 1 and 5 campuses by listing your preferences within the application. Only the Sydney campus is available to be selected for the June intake. If you are successful in securing a position in the course you will be offered a position at the campus of your choice, where available.
If your first preference is not available we will move through your list of preferences. Please give careful consideration to your ability to relocate/ commute should you be offered a position at a campus that is not local to you.
Course dates
February 2025 intake, Monday - Friday classes
Orientation: Friday 21st February 2025 9am-2pm
Block 1: Monday 24th February 2025 till Friday 28th February 2025
Block 2: Monday 7th April 2025 till Friday 11th April 2025
Block 3: Monday 26th May 2025 till Friday 30th May 2025
Block 4: Monday 30th June 2025 till Friday 4th July 2025
Block 5: Monday 25th August 2025 till Friday 29th August 2025
Block 6: Monday 20th October 2025 till Friday 24th October 2025
Block 7: Monday 24th November 2025 till Friday 28th November 2025
Times & Dates subject to change with notice
Terms and conditions
Please read carefully before applying
By completing this application you acknowledge the following conditions:
Your application will be evaluated and if you are successful, you will be offered a position in the Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care with the Taronga Training Institute. The course fee can be paid in four equal instalments with the first instalment due on acceptance of a position in the course OR fees can be paid in full upon acceptance of a position in the course. A $300 acceptance and administration fee will be retained out of the 1st Instalment of fees paid in the event that the student withdraws their enrolment during the two-week cooling off period. NOTE: No payment of course fees is required until you are offered a position in the course and the offer being accepted at which time payment of course fees will be required
The completion of your application does not constitute enrolment in the course. All applications will be reviewed based on eligibility and merit. Applicants deemed most suitable, based on their response to the selection criteria questions contained within the application will be invited to attend an onsite or online interview approximately 4-6 weeks after applications close. You may withdraw your application at any stage, prior to being offered/accepting a position.
You understand that if you are successful in being offered a position in the course in Perth, you will be assigned to 3 x 2-week blocks of practical placement. Practical days will start as early as 7.00am and finish by 5pm. Classroom lessons will be held in 7 x 1-week blocks. Classes will commence at 8am and conclude by 5pm each day.
Students are required to attend ALL practical days; any that are missed will need to be rescheduled and may incur an administration fee.
Attendance is expected at ALL classes; attendance of less than 80% of classes may result in the missed unit/s of competency needing to be repeated at the student's expense prior to being eligible for the issue of a qualification.
You understand that during the placement at Perth Zoo, all instructions given by Perth Zoo staff must be adhered to for your welfare and that of the animals.
You understand that in order to be eligible to study with the Taronga Training Institute you must be an Australian Citizen, permanent resident of Australia or a New Zealand Citizen residing in Australia.
You understand that it is a requirement of this course that you wear the Taronga Training Institute uniform (issued polo and jumper) when you attend classroom sessions and onsite practical days. The course fee includes two polo shirts and one jumper. Additional uniform items can be purchased at $50 per item. You will be required to provide and wear neutral coloured shorts or pants and work boots.
The Taronga Training Institute is committed to minimising its use of paper. As such you confirm you have access to a computer to access course material, and upload assessments. The use of a laptop (preferred) or tablet in the classroom is necessary. You must be computer literate and can access the internet to upload and download assessments and course work when required.
You understand if you enrol into a course with Taronga Training Institute you will be required to access the online student management system on a regular basis to receive and send communication to the institute.
You will answer all questions truthfully and to the best of your ability and you acknowledge that you have completed the application questions and you have not had any other person complete the application on your behalf.
Work Health and Safety considerations:
Taronga Training Institute is required and committed to ensure that all prospective students satisfy the inherent requirements and job demands of the course for which they are being considered and that all students are safe in fulfilling the practical components of their course. This information is required for the purpose of assessing your fitness for participation in the course. Please Note: medical clearance may be required if requested by Taronga’s WHS Manager or the Taronga Training Institute Manager
Working in some areas of the zoo poses some potential risk of exposure to zoonotic disease (diseases transmitted to humans from close contact with animals). Perth Zoo requires you to undertake zoonosis awareness induction training at the onset of your practical experience so that you are aware of the specific diseases of risk and the means by which you can minimise your exposure risk.
To undertake study at Perth Zoo, you may be asked to comply with the following Workplace Health & Safety measures at your own expense:
a. Protective boots – either steel-cap or synthetic ‘protective’ rated boots
b. Perth Zoo may require students to be screened or vaccinated (at your own expense) for a range of zoonotic diseases including Q Fever and Tuberculosis
Perth Zoo also reserves the right to include any other vaccinations as required.
Frequently asked questions
How is this course assessed?
Course assessments are a combination of written answers, reports, case studies, projects, practical activities, observations of students performing tasks, self-assessments and supervisor reports.
How much work is involved in an accredited course?
Accredited training through the Taronga Training Institute involves mandatory classroom sessions, tutorials, workshops and practical placement and practical assessment sessions. In addition to these mandatory dates, you will have independent study and research, learning activities and other course related activities. We would expect that you will need to spend 30+ hours per week completing your course requirements.
Do you deliver courses to international students?
Under our obligations as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), students of the Taronga Training Institute must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia or a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia or hold an acceptable visa (with no study restrictions) and be approved by Taronga Training Institute.
Accordingly, Taronga Training Institute does not currently deliver to students outside of these criteria and we do not delivery any accredited training via overseas or international partnerships.
Do I have to wear a uniform?
When on site, Taronga Training Institute students are required to wear the Taronga Training Institute polo shirt and jumper which is provided and included in your course fees. Additional uniform items may be purchased at the start of the course. Please speak to your Support Officer during Orientation for further details.
Who is the registered course provider?
Taronga Training Institute, Registered Training Organisation No. 91359, is the course provider. Taronga Training Institute, as the RTO, is responsible for the quality of training and assessment in compliance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015, and for the issuance of the AQF [Australian Qualification Framework] certification documentation.
I have some general questions about studying with Taronga
We have captured most of the questions we have previously received either on our website or in our Student Handbook. Please thoroughly read both of these platforms and if you still have questions, you can email us at tti@zoo.nsw.gov.au