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Personalised for LOCAL students.

Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.

Personalised for INTERNATIONAL students.

International student means; you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.

Overview Career Pathways Course details Fees & Costs Requirements Next Steps

Senior Secondary

Certificate II in Animal Care - VDSS

Certificate II in Animal Care VDSS

Code: ACM20121

Sorry, this course is not available for international students.

If you are a local student you may be eligible.

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Overview Career Pathways Course details Fees & Costs Requirements Next Steps

Overview

Your dream of a career caring for animals starts here. Our Animal Studies course will teach you the skills and knowledge to care for a range of animals. Learn through face-to-face classes and online study units. Take advantage of industry-related excursions and work placement in the field.

Career Pathways

Where will the Certificate II in Animal Care ACM20121 (VDSS) take me?

With this qualification you may work as an animal attendant in shelters, pet shops, boarding kennels, catteries, grooming salons, research facilities, veterinary clinics and children’s farms.

Study Pathways

After completing this program, you can continue the Animal Studies pathway with our Certificate III in Animal Care Services ACM30122 or Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing ACM40418.

“It's a totally different environment to school, we do lots of practical assessments and the classroom can be anything from a lab to a farmyard.”

Ishaana Tharan

Certificate II in Animal Care ACM20121 + VDSS

Course Details

Campus

Epping

Delivery methods

This course is delivered in-person at our Epping campus.

Class Schedule

Wednesday 1 pm - 4:30 pm

ATAR Contribution

If you receive a Units 3 and 4 sequence, you will be eligible for an increment towards your ATAR (10% of the average four scaled studies). This course does not offer scored assessment.

Credit in VCE or VCE VM

This course provides recognition of two or more units at Units 1 and 2 level and a Units 3 and 4 sequence.

Units of Study

The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.

Code	Subject	Type	Hours
ACMGEN201	Work in the animal care industry	Core	30
ACMGEN202	Complete animal care hygiene routines	Core	30
ACMGEN203	Feed and water animals	Core	40
ACMGEN204	Assist in health care of animals	Core	40
ACMGEN205	Source and provide information for animal care needs	Elective	40
ACMGEN309	Provide basic animal first aid	Elective	40
ACMGEN310	Provide reception services for an animal care facility	Elective	30
ACMSPE316	Provide general care of domestic dogs	Elective	40
ACMSPE320	Provide general care of mammals	Elective	40
ACMSUS201	Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices	Core	20
ACMWHS201	Participate in workplace health and safety processes	Core	40
BSBCMM211	Apply communication skills	Core	40

Fees & Costs

Fees

2026 fee schedules will be provided to schools separately. Please contact us for more information: 03 9269 1292.

Requirements

You must be at least 15 years old and in Year 10 or Year 11 in secondary school.

If you receive a Units 3 and 4 sequence, you will be eligible for an increment towards your ATAR (10% of the average four scaled studies). This course does not offer scored assessment.

Next Steps

Students:

Talk to your school's VET Coordinator about enrolling into VDSS at Melbourne Polytechnic. You may be invited to attend an information session.

Schools:

Apply through our dedicated VDSS Portal.

Recognising Organisations

Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.