Qualification Outline
22/07/2026 1:16 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Certificate III in Animal Care Services
Certificate III in Animal Care Services
ACM30121
BGQ8
Replaced
Replaced
National Endorsed, State Implementation and Classification
Releases
| Release Version | Release Date | TGA Status | DTWD Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | 18/02/2022 | Current | Approved |
| 1.00 | 13/04/2021 | Replaced | Approved |
Description
This qualification describes the skills and knowledge required to work in a broad range of roles in animal care facilities and services, including boarding/day care, breeding, shelters/holding centres, pet grooming, pet sitting and other animal businesses.
Individuals in these roles perform a range of animal care tasks under broad direction which involve discretion and judgement in handling animals, selecting and operating tools and equipment, coordinating resources and problem solving. They are required to take responsibility for their own work including, carrying out assigned tasks, compliance with animal welfare, organising processes, solving problems and working to schedules.
The qualification allows for specialisation in:
Animal Care
Pet Grooming
Customer Service.
This qualification is suitable to be undertaken as an apprenticeship or traineeship pathway.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
Schedule
Packaging Rules
To achieve this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in:Seventeen (17) units of competency:
- Seven (7) core units plus
- Ten (10) elective units.
Elective units must ensure the integrity of the qualification’s Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) alignment and contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome. Electives can be chosen to provide a general qualification or a qualification with a specialisation.
For the award of the Certificate III in Animal Care Services choose:
- at least nine (9) units from the electives in Groups A to D
- up to one (1) unit from any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course.
For the award of the Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Animal Care) choose:
- at least four (4) units from the electives in Group A
- up to six (6) units from the electives listed in Groups A to D (not already selected)
- up to one (1) unit from any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course.
For the award of the Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Pet Grooming) choose:
- all six (6) units from the electives in Group B
- up to four (4) units from the electives listed in Groups A to D (not already selected)
- up to one (1) unit from any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course.
For the award of the Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Customer Service) choose the following units from Group C:
- ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs
- ACMGEN305 Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care
- BSBOPS304 Deliver and monitor a service to customers
- at least one (1) more unit from the electives in Group C
- up to six (6) units from the electives listed in Groups A to D (not already selected)
- up to one (1) unit from any currently endorsed Training Package or accredited course.
Where two specialisations are completed, award of the qualification would read (for example), Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Pet Grooming, Customer Service).
Prerequisite requirements
Note: Units listed in the Prerequisite requirement column that have their own prerequisite requirements are shown with an asterisk (*) on TGA.
Pathways
| State Code | Title |
|---|---|
| AD13 | Pet Grooming |
1. Core Units
Seven (7) core units must be completed.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODC52 | ACMGEN303 | Assess the welfare status of an animal | 55 | Unit of competency |
| ODC23 | ACMGEN315 | Communicate effectively with clients and team members | 25 | Unit of competency |
| BBE73 | ACMINF301 | Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | 40 | Unit of competency |
| BBE28 | ACMWHS301 | Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | 60 | Unit of competency |
| ODC20 | ACMBEH301 | Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals | 55 | Unit of competency |
| ODC50 | ACMGEN304 | Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces | 35 | Unit of competency |
| ODC44 | ACMGEN309 | Provide basic animal first aid | 35 | Unit of competency |
2. Group A Elective Units: Animal Care
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODC51 | ACMGEN302 | Care for young animals | 35 | Unit of competency |
| ODC69 | ACMGEN313 | Carry out simple breeding procedures | 55 | Unit of competency |
| ODC25 | ACMBEH404 | Condition animal behaviour | 60 | Unit of competency |
| ODC66 | ACMGEN314 | Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work | 90 | Unit of competency |
| ODC76 | ACMGEN311 | Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing | 80 | Unit of competency |
| ODC48 | ACMGEN307 | Maintain aquariums and/or aquascapes and aquatic animals | 55 | Unit of competency |
| ODC65 | ACMBEH302 | Provide enrichment for animals | 60 | Unit of competency |
| ODC92 | ACMGEN312 | Provide nutritional requirements for animals | 65 | Unit of competency |
| ODC47 | ACMGEN308 | Walk and exercise dogs | 35 | Unit of competency |
3. Group B Elective Units: Pet Grooming
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODC80 | ACMGRM201 | Bath, dry and brush domestic dogs | 40 | Unit of competency |
| ODC29 | ACMGRM403 | Enhance companion animal coat and skin condition | 45 | Unit of competency |
| ODC46 | ACMGRM305 | Groom dogs to meet breed style and coat requirements | 150 | Unit of competency |
| ODC88 | ACMGRM304 | Perform grooms on cross breed dogs | 140 | Unit of competency |
| ODC39 | ACMSPE316 | Provide general care of domestic dogs | 20 | Unit of competency |
| ODC81 | ACMGRM303 | Provide sanitary and hygiene grooms for companion animals | 120 | Unit of competency |
4. Group C Elective Units: Customer Service
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
| State Code | National Code | Title | Hours | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWX42 | SIRRRTF001 | Balance and secure point-of-sale terminal | 20 | Unit of competency |
| AWX44 | SIRRMER003 | Coordinate visual merchandising activities | 35 | Unit of competency |
| OCF16 | BSBOPS304 | Deliver and monitor a service to customers | 50 | Unit of competency |
| AWW96 | SIRXSLS002 | Follow point-of-sale procedures | 10 | Unit of competency |
| AWX46 | SIRRMER001 | Produce visual merchandise displays | 30 | Unit of competency |
| ODC45 | ACMGEN306 | Provide advice on aquatic animal selection and general care | 35 | Unit of competency |
| ODC49 | ACMGEN305 | Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care | 65 | Unit of competency |
| ODC90 | ACMGEN310 | Provide reception services for an animal care facility | 30 | Unit of competency |
| AWX48 | SIRRINV001 | Receive and handle retail stock | 35 | Unit of competency |
| ODC55 | ACMGEN205 | Source and provide information for animal care needs | 35 | Unit of competency |
5. Group D Elective Units: General Electives
Please refer to the packaging rules for the full details of each specialisation.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BDN1 | ACM30117 | Certificate III in Animal Studies | Qualification |
| BDM6 | ACM30417 | Certificate III in Companion Animal Services | Qualification |
| BDM7 | ACM30617 | Certificate III in Pet Grooming | Qualification |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHV0 | ACM30122 | Certificate III in Animal Care Services | Qualification |
No information
Entry Requirements
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Traineeships and Apprenticeships