Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:08 PM AWST

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Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals

Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals

Unit of competency
National Code
ACMBEH301
State Code
ODC20
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
13/04/2021
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
26/07/2021
Field of Education
010915 - Zoology
Original Release Date
26/07/2021
Nominal Hours
55
Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and interpret behaviour and safely handle, interact and respond to animals in a range of animal care facilities and environments. It can be applied to a range of animal species.This unit applies to individuals who are required to handle and interact with animals in close proximity in an animal care workplace. They work independently and take responsibility for the quality of their own work, including carrying out assigned tasks, solving routine problems and working to required timeframes.All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for interaction with animal
  • 1.1 Assess environment and establish a safe and secure environment for interacting with animals according to workplace policies and procedures
  • 1.2 Obtain information about the animal from relevant sources to inform approach to animal
  • 1.3 Identify hazards and infection control procedures, and minimise risks to self, other people and animals
  • 1.4 Select and correctly fit personal protective equipment appropriate for animal interaction
  • 1.5 Prepare equipment for securing the animal if required
2. Identify and interpret animal behaviour
  • 2.1 Identify animal by species or breed group, physical characteristics and visible identification
  • 2.2 Recognise common behavioural traits for the species or breed group
  • 2.3 Observe animal body language and other signs to interpret the animal's likely emotional state, arousal level, and likely motivations for the behaviour observed
  • 2.4 Identify individual animal triggers, stressors or species-specific behaviours that may impact on behaviour and pose potential safety risks
  • 2.5 Choose appropriate low stress handling techniques based on observation of the animal's behaviour
3. Move animal safely and securely
  • 3.1 Check other animals are safe and secure prior to moving the animal
  • 3.2 Approach and move around animal in a calm and non-threatening manner
  • 3.3 Move animal or remove from enclosure using low stress handling techniques
  • 3.4 Secure animal safely in suitable environment using humane restraints, if required, according to workplace requirements
  • 3.5 Prepare and load animal for transport, where required, ensuring safe restraints or housing according to species and workplace requirements
4. Handle animals for intended activity
  • 4.1 Use species-appropriate low stress techniques and equipment to safely secure, position and manage animal
  • 4.2 Adjust handling based on situation, individual animal and its responses to being handled
  • 4.3 Undertake intended activity ensuring personal and animal safety, and minimising animal stress
  • 4.4 Follow workplace procedures for hygiene and sanitation after handling the animal
  • 4.5 Provide feedback, using objective descriptions of animal behaviour, to relevant team members according to workplace procedures
  • 4.6 Update animal records in workplace record-keeping system
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