Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:36 AM AWST
22/07/2026 5:36 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.
Contribute to animal care through work activities
Contribute to animal care through work activities
Unit of competency
National Code
AGFCMN201A
AGFCMN201A
State Code
S5334
S5334
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
24/09/2007
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
24/09/2007
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit covers the skills and knowledge needed to identify what animal care' means in a workplace and how one's own individual responsibilities contribute to animal care as a whole within a specific workplace or industry. It may or may not include hands-on animal care but more importantly includes being part of a whole system that supports and contributes to animal care.The unit also includes contributing to animal care through the use of an appropriate mix of technical skills, handling unexpected contingencies in relation to animal care, and reflecting on animal care procedures in order to make improvements to one's own work.This unit is designed for use in a Pathway qualification or skills set. It should not be used in a qualification that has a direct job outcome.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
Identify and plan appropriate animal care approach.
- 1. Workplace approach to working with animals is identified, understood and considered in relation to work activity.
- 2. Individual responsibility to the contribution of animal care is identified in relation to work activity.
- 3. Products, services, operations, customers and safe work practices relevant to work activity are researched and identified.
- 4. Appropriate capture and restraint requirements and equipment are identified where required.
- 5. Animal care strategy based on workplace requirements and individual responsibility is mapped out and applied to work activity.
Contribute to animal care using an appropriate mix of technical skills.
- 6. Food preparation equipment is organised according to task needs.
- 7. Common animal behaviours for the species are recognised and appropriate action is taken.
- 8. Animals are cared for and fed and watered according to animal welfare standards and health and safety procedures and standards.
- 9. Tools and equipment are identified and used appropriately.
- 10. Stock levels are accurately counted where appropriate.
- 11. Animals are groomed according to enterprise and animal welfare policy, if required.
Work with others and handle unexpected contingencies.
- 12. Requests that effect work activity and animal care are met courteously, clearly, professionally and efficiently.
- 13. Assistance with issues relating to animal care is sought from other staff when required and in a timely manner.
- 14. Key personnel are kept informed of progress of animal care activity and provided with clear explanations regarding issues in regards to animal care.
- 15. Physical and behavioural hazards from the environment and animalsare identified and reported.
Reflect on animal care procedures.
- 16. Personal performance in relation to working with animals is considered and analysed.
- 17. Possible improvements to personal contribution to working with animals are identified and applied to work activity.
- 18. Possible improvements to animal care procedures are considered and discussed with key personnel.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Animals may include:
birds
domestic animals
farm and rural animals
fish and sea animals
mammals and land animals
sporting animals, such as greyhounds and horses
wild animals
zoo animals.
Animal capture and restraint procedures must be carried out in a humane way. Capture techniques may depend on animal characteristics such as:
aggressive nature
stress response
defence mechanisms
physiological makeup.
Capture can involve the following equipment:
anaesthetic agents
bags
catch poles
nets
ropes
visual barriers.
Restraint requirementsand equipment can include:
electric fencing systems
security systems
wire mesh systems
wire strand systems.
Food preparationequipment could require:
cleaning
collecting and putting away
disinfecting
gathering
sterilising.
Feeding and watering animals in the context of animal welfare standards may involve considering:
instructions and dietary charts for food preparation
monitoring water supply for appropriate quantity, quality and safety
animal welfare policies
portions and distribution.
Health and safety procedures and standards may relate to:
protocols, including hazard identification
handling of biological wastes
handling of chemicals
use of personal protective equipment.
Tools and equipment may include:
blankets
bridles
brushes
chains
collars
combs
headstalls
leads
ropes
rugs
soaps.
Animal grooming can involve:
bathing, including massaging, and selecting and using an appropriate shampoo and conditioner
brushing
cleaning anal glands
clipping, including coat clipping
coat-reduction techniques
combing
cutting
de-matting
drying
cleaning ear and eye area
nail trimming
plucking
pre-bathing procedures, including wetting the animal using appropriate water temperature
rinsing animal
scrubbing
shaving and pattern trimming
styling
teeth cleaning
thinning.
Assistance may be needed and requested when:
carrying out familiar tasks relating to rearing young animals
carrying out a new task
dealing with an emergency
handling more than one animal at a time
handling stressed animals
rearing young animals.
Key personnel may include:
animal health specialists
animal trainers
management
OHS personnel
other persons authorised or nominated by the organisation
security staff
supervisors
team leaders
other workplace personnel.
Physical and behavioural hazards
may include:
chemicals and other harmful substances
dangerous floor surfaces
exposure to dust
exposure to noise
extremes in weather conditions
inappropriate lifting practices
incorrect manual-handling practices
micro-organisms in the air or soil
sharp instruments, knives and equipment
signs indicating mating
signs of animal aggression, such as showing teeth
signs of animal combat
signs of animal illness, such as dehydration
unsuitable lighting levels
untidy work conditions
inappropriate waste management and disposal.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Animals may include:
birds
domestic animals
farm and rural animals
fish and sea animals
mammals and land animals
sporting animals, such as greyhounds and horses
wild animals
zoo animals.
Animal capture and restraint procedures must be carried out in a humane way. Capture techniques may depend on animal characteristics such as:
aggressive nature
stress response
defence mechanisms
physiological makeup.
Capture can involve the following equipment:
anaesthetic agents
bags
catch poles
nets
ropes
visual barriers.
Restraint requirementsand equipment can include:
electric fencing systems
security systems
wire mesh systems
wire strand systems.
Food preparationequipment could require:
cleaning
collecting and putting away
disinfecting
gathering
sterilising.
Feeding and watering animals in the context of animal welfare standards may involve considering:
instructions and dietary charts for food preparation
monitoring water supply for appropriate quantity, quality and safety
animal welfare policies
portions and distribution.
Health and safety procedures and standards may relate to:
protocols, including hazard identification
handling of biological wastes
handling of chemicals
use of personal protective equipment.
Tools and equipment may include:
blankets
bridles
brushes
chains
collars
combs
headstalls
leads
ropes
rugs
soaps.
Animal grooming can involve:
bathing, including massaging, and selecting and using an appropriate shampoo and conditioner
brushing
cleaning anal glands
clipping, including coat clipping
coat-reduction techniques
combing
cutting
de-matting
drying
cleaning ear and eye area
nail trimming
plucking
pre-bathing procedures, including wetting the animal using appropriate water temperature
rinsing animal
scrubbing
shaving and pattern trimming
styling
teeth cleaning
thinning.
Assistance may be needed and requested when:
carrying out familiar tasks relating to rearing young animals
carrying out a new task
dealing with an emergency
handling more than one animal at a time
handling stressed animals
rearing young animals.
Key personnel may include:
animal health specialists
animal trainers
management
OHS personnel
other persons authorised or nominated by the organisation
security staff
supervisors
team leaders
other workplace personnel.
Physical and behavioural hazards
may include:
chemicals and other harmful substances
dangerous floor surfaces
exposure to dust
exposure to noise
extremes in weather conditions
inappropriate lifting practices
incorrect manual-handling practices
micro-organisms in the air or soil
sharp instruments, knives and equipment
signs indicating mating
signs of animal aggression, such as showing teeth
signs of animal combat
signs of animal illness, such as dehydration
unsuitable lighting levels
untidy work conditions
inappropriate waste management and disposal.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills demonstrated over a period of time, in a range of contexts and to a consistent standard. Evidence must demonstrate the individual's ability and understanding to:
apply relevant ethical practices and codes of practice in the course of work activities
communicate effectively in the course of work activities
communicate effectively with others as required when following safety procedures
complete work activities in collaboration with others according to instructions, procedures and applicable regulations
follow workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control
plan own work activities to meet workplace outcomes
recognise and adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace
report and rectify workplace problems according to workplace procedures
complete work activities with required attention to detail and without damage to goods, equipment or personnel
use relevant personal protective clothing and equipment.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment can be carried out by a using a range of simulated or actual workplace activities that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to adapt to workplace requirements. This unit of competency should be part of a holistic assessment involving other units which make up the job function. A variety of assessment methods is recommended and may include:
written or oral questions
observation of work activities, which can be in a workplace or simulated workplace
evaluation of products or output created through work
logbook of work activities undertaken over a period of time
third-party report, for example from a supervisor.
Where a simulated environment is used for assessment it must be reflective of a workplace environment.
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills demonstrated over a period of time, in a range of contexts and to a consistent standard. Evidence must demonstrate the individual's ability and understanding to:
apply relevant ethical practices and codes of practice in the course of work activities
communicate effectively in the course of work activities
communicate effectively with others as required when following safety procedures
complete work activities in collaboration with others according to instructions, procedures and applicable regulations
follow workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control
plan own work activities to meet workplace outcomes
recognise and adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace
report and rectify workplace problems according to workplace procedures
complete work activities with required attention to detail and without damage to goods, equipment or personnel
use relevant personal protective clothing and equipment.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment can be carried out by a using a range of simulated or actual workplace activities that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to adapt to workplace requirements. This unit of competency should be part of a holistic assessment involving other units which make up the job function. A variety of assessment methods is recommended and may include:
written or oral questions
observation of work activities, which can be in a workplace or simulated workplace
evaluation of products or output created through work
logbook of work activities undertaken over a period of time
third-party report, for example from a supervisor.
Where a simulated environment is used for assessment it must be reflective of a workplace environment.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45398 | AGRPCI201A | Contribute to animal care through work activities | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAT03 | AHCCMN201 | Contribute to animal care through work activities | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S512 | AGF10107 | Certificate I in Agri-Food (Pathways) | Qualification |