Companion Animal Services
Certificate III Of
Overview
Fairfield
Fairfield
12 months full time / part time
12 months full time / part time
Midyear
February, July
Become a sought-after animal care expert
Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, with 62% of households owning a pet. Our animal care industry is massive and growing every year. Caring for our furry friends can be a rewarding career for animal lovers. Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate III in Companion Animal Services equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to take care of animals in a professional setting.
Learn essential skills from industry experts
As part of Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certificate III in Companion Animal Services, you will develop key animal care skills in practical work environments. You’ll be taught by highly experienced teachers with industry connections in the animal care field. Melbourne Polytechnic has a range of well-equipped laboratories, a dog hydrobathing room, dedicated animal care facilities and simulated veterinary clinic, so you’ll receive practical experience with a variety of animals as part of your studies. Learn skills such as providing hydrobathing services, completing animal care hygiene routines, carrying out simple breeding procedures and maintaining and monitoring animal health and wellbeing.
Follow your own path in a diverse industry
Once you’ve graduated from this course, you’ll have the skills to work with companion animals. You might find work in a variety of areas including animal welfare shelters, local government animal services, pet retail, boarding or breeding facilities, pet grooming and other companion animal services.
Career Pathways
Where will this take me
You will be eligible for employment in a wide range of industries including pet shops, boarding facilities (welfare and retail), aquariums and grooming services- Animal Shelter Assistant
- Animal Pound Assistant
- Pet Shop Assistant
- Pet Groomer
- Boarding Facility Assistant
- Aquarium Assistant
Pathways
On completion of this course you may choose to pathway to other certificates from the ACM Animal Care and Management Training PackageAkolda Bil
"It means future to me now. All I was doing before this was working in small jobs, or jobs that aren't going to get me far in life, so studying is a huge deal to me. It got me where I am now.... And it actually, studying gave me a path to go somewhere in my life."
Course Details
How you learn
As part of your studies, you’ll complete a two week work placement in an animal care environment. This ensures you graduate with both practical experience and knowledge, so you can enter the diverse animal care field with confidence.
Assessment Methods
Various forms of assessment may be used including written and oral activities, assignments, group participation, practical demonstrations or exercises, and projects
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 | Elective | Hours |
| ACMWHS301 | CONTRIBUTE TO WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCESSES | Core | 50 |
| ACMSUS201 | PARTICIPATE IN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE WORK PRACTICES | Core | 20 |
| HLTAID003 | PROVIDE FIRST AID | Core | 18 |
| ACMSPE304 | PROVIDE BASIC CARE OF DOMESTIC DOGS | Core | 40 |
| ACMGAS301 | MAINTAIN AND MONITOR ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING | Core | 50 |
| ACMGAS303 | PLAN FOR AND PROVIDE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ANIMALS | Core | 60 |
| ACMINF301 | COMPLY WITH INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN ANIMAL WORK | Core | 60 |
| ACMGAS203 | COMPLETE ANIMAL CARE HYGIENE ROUTINES | Core | 30 |
| ACMSPE305 | PROVIDE BASIC CARE OF DOMESTIC CATS | Core | 40 |
| ACMGAS206 | PROVIDE BASIC FIRST AID FOR ANIMALS | Core | 30 |
| ACMCAS301 | WORK EFFECTIVELY IN THE COMPANION ANIMAL INDUSTRY | Core | 30 |
| ACMGAS304 | CARRY OUT SIMPLE BREEDING PROCEDURES | Core | 40 |
| ACMSPE302 | PROVIDE BASIC CARE OF BIRDS | Core | 40 |
| ACMCAS307 | PROVIDE COMPANION ANIMAL HYDRO-BATHING SERVICES | Core | 40 |
| ACMGAS302 | PROVIDE ENRICHMENT FOR ANIMALS | Core | 40 |
| ACMSPE312 | PROVIDE BASIC CARE OF RODENTS AND RABBITS | Core | 40 |
Studying at Melbourne Polytechnic
Student Services
We're here to make sure that your transition to student life at Melbourne Polytechnic is fun and as easy as possible
Services & support
Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic
Our Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic (SLAM) team run the fun stuff on campus: things like movie nights, bake sales, cook-offs, career expos, spring markets, and much more.
Student Life at Melbourne Polytechnic
Specialist Training Facilities
Melbourne Polytechnic has a large range of specialist training facilities in health and community, construction, hospitality, education and more.
Specialist Training Facilities
Scholarships
One of the most common misconceptions about scholarships is that you have to be 'top in your class' to apply. Melbourne Polytechnic scholarships are awarded on a range of criteria such as merit, your area of study and personal circumstances.
ScholarshipsFees & Costs
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
To find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy we recommend you contact us help you find out.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1 November 2019. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Materials and Amenities cost
We will provide a list of recommended materials, texts and stationery at the commencement of the course.Attend an Info Session
Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this courseNext Steps
We're really excited for you to join the Melbourne Polytechnic community and we look forward to supporting you on your education journey.
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form. You'll then receive a link to complete a few more personal details.
It is a mandatory government requirement for all prospective students to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment. Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend of our Skills and Job Centres, or come to campus to complete your enrolment in person.
For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about TPPs here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 03 9269 8400 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.
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