This nationally recognised qualification equips students with the essential skills and knowledge required to work with a wide variety of animals in a zoo or wildlife park environment. Through a blend of practical experience and expert-led training onsite at the Zoo, students gain a deep understanding of animal care, habitat management, and conservation efforts. Whether you're passionate about working with animals or supporting their welfare behind the scenes, this course is the perfect stepping stone toward a rewarding career in zookeeping.

Core Units

• ACMWHS301 Contribute to Workplace Health Safety 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 ACM30321 Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care. 

Course duration: 12 months

Class format: Face to face classes (When classes are held depends on which campus you choose to study at)

Practical experience: Students are required to complete 30 days or 3 x 2-week blocks of practical experience (format may vary based on campus you choose to study at)

Time commitment: approx. 30+ hours per week

Students must turn 18 years of age before the start of their practical placement.

Students must be an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident New Zealand Citizen residing in Australia or hold an acceptable visa (with no study restrictions) and be approved by Taronga Training Institute.

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 must have a medium to high level of health and fitness to fully participate in the course

Students must 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

See the course dates below:

Note all dates and times are subject to change with notice

Sydney- July 2025

Start: Tuesday 8th July 2025

Finish: Tuesday 30th June 2026

Onsite Assessment Dates: 

Monday 10th November 2025 - Friday 14th November 2025

Wednesday 22nd April 2026- Friday 24th April 2026

Monday 22nd June 2026- Friday 26th June 2026

Dubbo- 2026 Dates TBA

Perth- 2026 Dates TBA

Adelaide- 2026 Dates TBA

Melbourne- 2026 Dates TBA

QLD, VIC, WA & SA

$7,950 - full course value (no subsidy available)  

NSW

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government (Smart and Skilled) *. Eligibility criteria apply.

$2,190 -– Smart & Skilled student contribution. First Qualification  

$2,620 - Smart & Skilled student contribution. Second Qualification  

$240 - Smart & Skilled student contribution. Concession  

Smart and Skilled student contribution to be paid in full on acceptance. 

If partaking in course in any other state, full fees apply. 

$7,950 - Full course value, (without Smart and Skilled subsidy)  

Pay in full on acceptance or by 4 equal instalments (first payment due on acceptance).

Course cost includes all course materials and compulsory uniform items.

Pricing as of 10th July 2024, subject to change.  

Successful completion of this course prepares you for roles such as a Trainee Zookeeper, Animal Attendant or Wildlife Animal Carer in a Zoo, Aquarium or Wildlife Park.

In addition, further study options are available to continue your career in Animal Care, external to Taronga, including:

• Certificate III in Animal Care Services  
• Certificate III in Animal Technology;  
• Certificate III in Companion Animal Services;
• Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
• Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training

Please refer to Australian Training Sector website for further details on available courses.

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 ACM30321 Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care with the Taronga Training Institute. Commercial course fees can be paid in full or in four equal instalments. The first instalment is due within two weeks of the offer being made. 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. Any students awarded a Smart and Skilled subsidised position (NSW only) will be required to pay the student component of fees upon acceptance of a position in the course. 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 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, you will be required to complete 30 days of practical placement. Depending on your location this is completed in either a block format (3 x 2 weeks) or weekly placement. 

Students are required to attend ALL practical placement days; any that are missed will need to be rescheduled and may incur an administration fee.

Students are required to attend ALL practical assessment sessions; any that are missed will need to be rescheduled and may incur an administration fee.  

You understand that during placement all instructions given by Zoo staff must be adhered to for your welfare and that of the animals. Missing a unit of competency will affect students ability to complete practical assessment sessions.

You understand that to be eligible to study with the Taronga Training Institute you must be an Australian Citizen, permanent resident of Australia, New Zealand Citizen residing in Australia or hold a relevant Visa which does not restrict your ability to study in Australia. Please note: Visa holders are encouraged to contact Taronga Training Institute prior to lodging and application to confirm their eligibility to study with us.  

You understand that it is a requirement of this course that you wear the issued Taronga Training Institute uniform when you attend classroom sessions and onsite practical days. The course fee includes 2 polo shirts and 1 jumper. Additional uniform items can be purchased. 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.

Taronga’s Veterinary and Animal Health Team in consultation with Taronga’s Work Health and Safety Manager would like to advise you that working in some areas of the Zoo poses a risk to both animals and humans in the transfer of tuberculosis. Taronga requires you to provide TB clearance prior to commencement if you are identified as being in a high-risk category for tuberculosis. You will need to provide TB clearance if you fit into any of the following categories:

Born overseas in a high TB incidence country

Lived overseas in a high TB incidence country for longer than 3 months

Have known exposure to a TB positive person

Please note: TB clearance is not required prior to acceptance of a position in the course

Please be advised that the risk of contracting TB is very low. However, you may choose to seek further advice from your health professional.

Additional T&Cs for Perth:  

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.

Additional T&Cs for Adelaide:  

Zoos South Australia requires all students to bring their own dust masks when undertaking their onsite practical days. Dust masks can be purchased at any hardware retailer.  

Course assessments are a combination of written answers, reports, case studies, projects, practical activities, observations of students performing tasks, self-assessments and supervisor reports.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Taronga Zoo 

Yes, while studying with Taronga Training Institute, you can apply through Taronga's volunteer program. Please note that all volunteers must be aged over 18 years to apply. However, if your course requires you to conduct practical placement, volunteer days are additional and Taronga Training Institute practical placement days must still be completed. Please note that being a Taronga Training Institute student will not automatically gain entry into our volunteer program.

For more information about any of our Certificate courses, take a look at our student handbook or send us an email at tti@zoo.nsw.gov.au alternatively give our team a call at (02) 9978 4746.