Take the first step towards a rewarding career working with animals with the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care. This nationally recognised qualification provides the essential practical skills and industry knowledge needed to begin your journey in the animal care sector.
Designed for beginners, you’ll learn how to safely care for animals, maintain their health and wellbeing, and support daily operations in animal care environments while working under supervision.
Certificate II Animal Care
Successful Students Trained
100% Online Theory
Develop Real-World Skills
The ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care is a nationally recognised qualification designed for people looking to begin a career working with animals. Throughout the course, you’ll develop the fundamental practical skills and knowledge required to provide safe, effective care for animals in a range of animal care settings, including boarding facilities, shelters, sanctuaries, day care centres and veterinary clinics.
You’ll learn how to support animal health and wellbeing, maintain clean and hygienic environments, follow workplace health and safety procedures, and carry out routine animal care tasks under supervision.
Whether you’re a school leaver, career changer or simply passionate about animals, this course provides a strong foundation for entry-level employment and is the ideal pathway to the Certificate III in Animal Care Services and further study.
Upon completion, you will earn a nationally recognised Certificate II qualification, enabling you to work in animal care roles across Australia.
Complete the course over 6-9 months, giving you plenty of time to study at a steady, manageable pace that fits around work and life.
Study 100% online with flexible, self-paced learning, supported by experienced teachers, and expect to commit around 6-10 hours per week to stay on track.
Gain real-world experience with 30 hours of practical training. Our team will support finding a suitable work placement to complete your hands-on requirements.
We offer simple, flexible payment plans to make getting started easy. With a low upfront enrolment fee and affordable monthly payments.
You will have access to ongoing support from our teachers and trainers, to help you progress with your study and assist you with any questions you may have.
A Certificate II in Animal Care allows you to work in beginner animal care roles across Australia, such as:
Pet industry growth over the next 10 years
Average income for a qualified animal professional
Job satisfaction for animal industry workers
Jobs in Australia’s growing animal industry
The Pet Industry College has certified over 1,300 students, and currently have over 250 students studying
Get started quickly with a simple online enrolment process and flexible payment options to suit your lifestyle.
Study at your own pace through our online platform, designed to fit around your schedule while building strong foundational knowledge.
Complete 30 hours of hands-on experience in a real pet business to build confidence and skills—we organise this with our trusted partners, or you can choose your own.
Finish your qualification and step into the pet industry with the skills, confidence, and certification employers are looking for.
Start your journey today — take the next step toward a rewarding career in the animal care industry.
The Certificate II in Animal Care is ideal for anyone who wants to start a meaningful and rewarding career working and caring for animals.
Throughout the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care, you’ll develop the essential skills and knowledge needed to begin your journey in the animal care industry. Completing 12 units of competency (7 core units and 5 elective units), you’ll learn how to provide basic animal care, support animal health and wellbeing, maintain safe and hygienic environments, and follow workplace procedures across a range of animal care settings.
Gain an understanding of the animal care industry, including workplace expectations, roles, responsibilities and the skills required to support animal care operations.
Learn how to maintain clean, safe and hygienic animal care environments by following essential hygiene procedures and infection control practices.
Develop the skills to provide appropriate food and water to animals while following workplace procedures and considering animal health and wellbeing requirements.
Build confidence in managing challenging situations, using calm, controlled techniques to handle animals in high-pressure environments.
Learn how to support basic animal health care activities, recognise signs of illness or injury, and assist with maintaining animal wellbeing under supervision.
Understand sustainable workplace practices and learn how to reduce environmental impacts while working in animal care environments.
Develop knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements, including identifying hazards, following safety procedures and contributing to a safe working environment.
Build essential communication skills needed to interact professionally with colleagues, supervisors, customers and other stakeholders within the animal care industry.
The Certificate II in Animal Care includes 5 elective units that allow you to tailor your learning experience based on your interests and career goals within the animal care industry. You will select from a range of practical units covering areas such as animal handling, enrichment, grooming, animal health support, customer service and workplace skills.
Your elective choices may also allow you to develop specialised knowledge in caring for different animal species, including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, native animals, mammals and other companion animals. These units provide valuable foundational experience across different animal care environments, helping you build confidence and prepare for entry-level roles or further study through the Certificate III in Animal Care Services.
Gain practical experience through supervised workplace assessments and workshop activities involving live animals. You’ll develop confidence applying your skills in real animal care environments, with practical tasks including animal handling, enrichment activities, basic care routines and supporting animal wellbeing. A minimum of 30 hours of work placement is required, allowing you to demonstrate your competency and gain valuable industry experience.
Start your journey with Australia’s most trusted pet education provider, where real qualifications and real support lead to real careers.
We proudly work with and are recognised by some of Australia’s leading pet businesses to deliver high-quality, real-world training. Through these partnerships, our students gain access to trusted industry environments, ensuring they graduate with the practical skills, experience, and confidence employers are looking for.
If your question isn’t answered here, please contact us
No formal entry requirements. Pre-enrolment language, literacy & numeracy (LLN) check required and interview.
Practical work placement can be completed at any approved animal care facility, including veterinary clinics, shelters, or boarding kennels. The college can assist with placement arrangements in your area.
Yes, the course offers affordable, interest-free payment plans for $250 per month for 12 months to help you manage the cost of your qualification while studying.
This is your moment to turn your passion for animals into a meaningful, long-term career. With industry-leading trainers, nationally recognised qualifications, and the full support of our team, you’ll have everything you need to take the next step with confidence.
Enrol today for just $300 and start building the future you’ve been dreaming of.
Do you have a question or want to learn more?
Enquire now and a friendly team member will be in touch shortly, or download a brochure to learn more.
