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Course details
This course will give students an entry point into the animal care industry. This course enables students to develop the skills and knowledge required for the care and maintenance of animals including handling, feeding, grooming, health and hygiene practices.
Online studies:
- This new online course provides the flexibility to balance work and education and provides students the ability to learn at their own pace.
- Dynamic and engaging content has been developed by industry leading Trainer & Assessors with extensive experience in animal care and zoo keeping.
- The course is presented in an engaging and easy to navigate learning management system which provides access to content, videos, resources, activities, quizzes, and theory assessments.
Onsite practical assessments:
- Students will be required to complete practical assessments onsite at Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo in real live animal exhibits.
- There will be a total of four (4) onsite practical assessment days – two (2) x facilitated practical days and two (2) x onsite assessment days.
- Facilitated Practical Days (x2)
- As a course requirement, all students must be assessed for specific practical requirements. To complete these requirements, it is necessary for students to be observed in a real working environment. A facilitated practical day involves students attending Taronga Zoo or Taronga Western Plains Zoo and completing these practical requirements under the supervision of a qualified assessor. Morning routines of keeping staff are followed which means students will need to be on site ready for commencement as early as 7.00am (timings to be confirmed when students are enrolled).
- The two Facilitated Practical days are identical and based on the same schedule of activities, however, students will need to rotate the species of animal they are working with to ensure they fulfil all requirements. The students will then spend three hours in the afternoon with guest services observing and experiencing the customer service units eg. retail, ticketing, wayfinding. An example of how these days would be planned is below:
7.00am – 7.30am | Student sign in and briefing |
7.30am – 10.00am | Animal Husbandry Routines |
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10.00am – 10.30am | Morning Tea break |
10.30am – 11.30am | Complete documentation (Daily Diary entry, Health Checks x2). |
11.30am – 12.00pm | Lunch break |
12.00pm – 12.15pm | Meet for instruction and guidance to Guest Services. |
12.15pm – 3.00pm | In-ground Guest Services duties |
3.00pm | Finish |
- Practical Assessments days (x2)
- All scheduled activities and duties completed on the Assessment Days comply with and have been mapped to six (6) units within the Certificate II in Animal Care.
- The Practical Assessment days are largely classroom based, include a requirement for simulation and role play and there are also some requirements to complete assessments in groups.
- The duration of the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Online Self-paced) is 12 months. If there is a need to extend studies beyond the required 12 months to complete this course, there will be an associated charge.
Course entry requirements
- Students must be a minimum of 16 years of age on commencement of the course
- Students are expected to attend, in person, all four (4) mandatory practical assessment days at Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
- 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 should have a good level of health and fitness to fully participate in the practical assessment days.
- Students should demonstrate good English and communication skills, both written and verbal, and basic numeracy skills and will be required to undertake a Language, Literacy and Numeracy skills test to ensure they have the necessary skills to complete the course requirements.
Units of competency
Core Units
- ACMWHS201 Participate in Workplace Health Safety processes
- ACMGEN201 Work in the animal care industry
- BSBCMM211 Apply communication skills
- ACMGEN202 Complete animal care hygiene routines
- ACMGEN203 Feed and water animals
- ACMGEN204 Assist in the health care of animals
- ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
Elective Units
• ACMGEN309 Provide basic first aid for animals
• BSBOPS203 Deliver a service to customers
• ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs
• ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safety with animals
• ACMGEN314 Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work
NOTE: All 12 units (7 core and 5 elective) must be completed successfully to gain the qualification of ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care.
Pathways
Successful completion of ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care prepares students for entry level and support roles in the animal care and management industry, where workers provide care for animals in workplaces such as animal shelters, boarding care facilities, sanctuaries, and veterinary clinics.
In addition, further study options are available, including:
- Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care;
- Certificate III in Animal Technology;
- Certificate III in Companion Animal Services;
- Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Please note Taronga Training Institute only offers Certificate III Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care. The other qualifications listed above can be completed at other registered training organisations.
Please refer to Australian Training Sector website for further details on available courses.
Application process
The Taronga Training Institute is an equal opportunity RTO and encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply to study with us. The application process is used to help determine suitability to complete the course in conjunction with the support of Taronga Training Institute staff and trainers.
The online application process is used to determine suitability within the course. Applicants must ensure time is spent reading the questions and completing the 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 applications must be submitted via the online application form.
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 Online 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 before applying - proceed to apply only if you agree and can comply with the conditions.
During the online application process, applicants will be required to provide their Unique Student Identifier (USI).
• On submission of an application, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided within the application. If a confirmation email is not received from Taronga Training Institute within 24 hours, please first check your junk email, before contacting us at tti@zoo.nsw.gov.au
• If your application meets the requirements, you will be emailed a Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test. Your suitability to the course will then be evaluated and a judgement will be made by Taronga Training Institute staff.
• If your application is successful, you will be required to accept your position and complete the enrolment requirements within 72 hours. You will be required to pay half of your course fees shortly after your enrolment. This is a full fee paying course. No subsidy or funding is available.
Important: Acceptance into the course will be based on merit (subject to students meeting minimum entry requirements) and is NOT first in first served.
Terms and conditions
Please read carefully before applying
By completing this application, you acknowledge the following conditions:
1. Your application will be evaluated and if you are successful, you will be offered a position in the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Online Self-paced) with the Taronga Training Institute. Course fees can be paid in full or in two equal instalments. The first instalment is due within one week 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. 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.
2. 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 requested to complete a LLN skills test. You may withdraw your application at any stage, prior to being offered/accepting a position.
3. You understand that if you are successful in being offered a position in the course you are committed to attending four (4) non-consecutive practical assessment days at Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
4. 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 an acceptable visa (with no study restrictions) and be approved by Taronga Training Institute. Please note: Visa holders are encouraged to contact Taronga Training Institute prior to lodging an application to confirm their eligibility to study with us.
5. You understand that it is a requirement of this course that you wear the Taronga Training Institute uniform (issued polo) when you attend practical assessment sessions. This will be provided for use on the day. You will be required to provide and wear neutral coloured shorts or pants and work boots
6. 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 are computer literate and can access the internet to upload and download assessments and course work when required.
7. You understand if you enrol into a course with Taronga Training Institute you will be required to access the online student management system and online learning management system on a regular basis to receive and send communication to the institute.
8. You will answer all Selection Criteria 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
1.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 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.
2.Taronga may require students to be vaccinated at their own expense and you will be required to comply with any vaccination requirements of Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
3.Taronga Training Institute also reserves the right to include any other vaccinations as required.
4.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.
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.
What is a facilitated practical day?
As a course requirement, all students must be assessed for specific practical requirements. To complete these requirements, it is necessary for students to be observed in a real working environment. A facilitated practical day involves students attending Taronga and completing these practical requirements under the supervision of a qualified assessor. Morning routines of keeping staff are followed which means students will need to be on site ready for commencement as early as 7.00am.
How much work is involved in an accredited course?
Accredited training in the Certificate II in Animal Care online self-paced course through the Taronga Training Institute involves independent online study and assessment days. In addition to these mandatory dates and completing course content and theory assessments online, you will have independent study and research, workbooks and other course related activities. We would expect that you will need to spend between 20-25 hours per week completing your course requirements depending upon your previous knowledge and skills.
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 which is provided and worn on the day.
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 platforms and if you still have questions, you can email us at tti@zoo.nsw.gov.au.