National Code and name: ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services
Nationally Recognised Training: Yes
Fees: This course is fee for service only
Traineeships: Yes, in NSW this course is available as a traineeship with NTM
Mode of study: Virtual classroom via online Teams platform with a teacher
Become an animal care worker and make a real difference in the lives of animals in need. This fulfilling career path allows you to build meaningful connections with creatures, great and small. Master animal care and gain the knowledge and skills to excel in animal care. Our course covers animal behaviour, health monitoring, safe handling techniques, and proper enrichment to ensure animal well-being. Our engaging course format combines informative online lessons with practical exercises, preparing you for success in the field.
What is the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services qualification?
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.
Are there any licensing requirements?
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication.
What kind of careers and work could I do?
Job roles covered by this qualification may include: 
• Animal Health Officer (Indigenous Communities),
• Animal Care Receptionist,
• Aquarium Assistant,
• Pet Exerciser
• Animal welfare facility
• Pet shops
• Mobile animal farms
• Aquariums
• Animal shelters
• Kennels
• Catteries
• Sanctuaries
• Veterinary clinics
• Animal training facilities
• Pet shop worker
• Pet groomers
• Animal health officer (Indigenous Communities)
• Aanimal care receptionist
• Aquarium assistant
• Animal carer
• Pet exercise
This virtual course will appeal to animal care enthusiasts and people looking for a career with animals or a career change. For career prospects and trends, visit Home | Labour Market Insights. Completing this qualification does not guarantee a job.
What are the entry requirements?
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
However, we strongly recommend you meet the following requirements:
• A calm and patient demeanour
• A reasonable level of fitness to handle animals and carry out manual lifting
• Completion of Certificate II in Animal Care
• Have access to an animal care workplace one day a week
• Year 12 level of Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills (LLND) or higher
• Have capable digital literacy skills, including using a range of Microsoft products, such as Word, researching online, navigating the Internet, making recordings of your work placement and uploading these to Teams. Your teacher will provide support in using Microsoft products during your course
• Possess strong English communication and presentation skills
• Own or have access to a Windows 11 (which we highly recommend) or the latest Mac OS (Operating System) laptop for use in class. We will provide you access to the free education version of Office 365 (such as Word and PowerPoint, so you do not need to buy a subscription) and reliable internet at home or work.
What days do you run the course?
The ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services is run for one hour per week over 60 weeks, which is three semesters or 18 months. Classes normally run on a Thursday from 2.30 – 3.30 pm although this is subject to enrolment numbers. Classes are delivered online via the Teams platform. This course is only offered in part-time day mode.
What about work placements?
Work placement isn’t just about applying textbook knowledge. It’s your chance to:
• Master on-the-job skills: Handle real-world scenarios you can’t experience in a training environment.
• Boost confidence: Gain practical experience and build the skills employers seek.
• Use and refine what you learn: Apply your knowledge and get feedback in a supportive work environment.
Work placement is an essential step to a successful career. It strengthens your training and puts you on the fast track to success! Attending an animal facility workplace at least one day a week throughout this course is strongly recommended to gain practical experience while studying and to undertake some practical assessments.
The Animal Care industry in Australia is separated into nine key areas and include:
- veterinary services
- non-veterinary health and welfare services
- wildlife care and rehabilitation services
- animal control services
- captive wildlife operations
- animal technology services
- assistance and therapy animal services
- pet and companion
- animal breeding services
If I have previous work or life experience, how do I apply for Recognition of Prior Learning?
At NTM, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL) or a credit transfer. If you receive RPL, you may get your qualification faster. See our Learner Handbook for more information on RPL. You can apply for RPL at any time, both at the time of enrolment and during your first class. Your trainer will explain RPL and how to apply.
Dates for ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services
Schedule and Locations
Online | Term 1 2025 | Part-time Day | Tuesday
Days available: Tuesday
Mode: Virtual classroom with a real teacher. Do the course from home or at your workplace.
Pattern: One hour per week for 60 weeks
Training: 17 units of competency over 18 months
Time: 1pm to 2pm
First Training Session: 28 January 2025
Holidays: No classes over school holidays, we follow the NSW public school holidays
Last Training Session: July 2026
Availability: ENROLMENTS ARE NOW OPEN!
Duration: 18 months
How is the course delivered?
You do your course from home or at your workplace. This course is delivered online using the Teams platform. You will have an actual teacher and other students in a virtual classroom environment. You will have 18 months to complete the course.
Do I have to attend every class, and how much work is required for the course?
Yes. Because this online course is only for one hour a week, it is strongly recommended that you attend every class. However, as animal keepers, sometimes life or your work gets in the way of attending class. If you cannot make class you are required to notify your trainer and make sure your weekly chat session answers are completed and uploaded in Teams. Your trainer has the option to post on your behalf. Additionally, each one-hour online Teams session is recorded and made available for the students to watch later.
What are the units I am required to complete?
Courses consist of a combination of core and elective units. To achieve the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, you’ll need to complete 17 units of competency, including 7 core and 10 elective units. At NTM, the course structure is.
Core units of competency – all 7 must be undertaken
ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals
ACMGEN303 Assess the welfare status of an animal
ACMGEN304 Promote positive wellbeing in self and others in animal care workplaces
ACMGEN309 Provide basic animal first aid
ACMGEN315 Communicate effectively with clients and team members
ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work
ACMWHS301Contribute to workplace health and safety processes
Elective units of competency – the following 10 are the electives at NTM
ACMBEH302 Provide enrichment for animals
ACMGEN311 Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing
ACMGEN312 Provide nutritional requirements for animals
ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs
ACMGEN310 Provide reception services for an animal care facility
BSBOPS304 Deliver and monitor a service to customers
ACMSPE316 Provide general care of domestic dogs
ACMSPE317 Provide general care of domestic cats
ACMSUS401 Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
ACMGEN302 Care for young animals
How much is the course?
The ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services is available as fee for service – there is no government funding available for this course at NTM.
The fee for service cost is $8,540, however at NTM we do not charge that cost, the cost NTM charges is $4,400.00. You will also need to arrange your own insurance cover for any work placement you undertake.
Payment plans are available at no cost, and we do not use Ezy Pay or other interest- and fee-bearing payment plans. See our Learner Handbook for more details on how payment plans work. To secure a place in the course, you must pay a $500 deposit. PLEASE NOTE WE CANNOT ACCEPT MORE THAN $1500 IN PREPAID FEES. If you wish to commence a payment plan, please indicate this selection on your application form when prompted. Students are encouraged to request a payment plan at the time of application. However, these can be entered into later, should circumstances change. Payment by direct deposit is preferred. We do not accept cash or cheques. Certificates and/or Statements of Attainment will not be issued before all fees have been fully paid. See our policies for payments, refunds and consumer protection.
Contact our office 1300 653 501 for more information or email: [email protected]
How interactive and practical is the course?
This course is practical, interactive, and engaging with other students from a variety of animal workplaces across Australia. You will have sufficient time to complete all your assessments. Each online class uses the video function so the trainer can interact with the class and students can engage with one another.
All course material is included in the price, including electronic resources and training and assessment resources. You will have a student Microsoft Account as an NTM student that will give you access to Teams and our Learning Management System for training and assessment.
At NTM, this interactive course provides sufficient time to complete all your assessments. It includes interesting readings and practical assessment work to be completed at home or work. As part of the course, you will be required to record several videos of you completing animal related tasks. You will undertake written assessments, develop a Husbandry Manual Guideline on an animal that you work with, and deliver a ten-minute presentation on your Husbandry Manual Guideline species.
What are the pathways to further study?
The further study pathways available to learners who undertake this qualification include:
ACM40222 Certificate IV in Animal Facility Management
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
NTM does not offer the above pathways; contact our Career Development Practitioner for free career advice.
How long does the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services take?
The amount of training and volume of learning allocated for the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services qualification is based on each student’s prior experience. Students with a lot of relevant prior or current experience may be able to complete the qualification in a shorter time frame. Students should expect a duration between twelve and twenty-four months to meet the requirements of ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, which is consistent with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) volume of learning indicators for a Certificate III qualification.
The learning volume for a Certificate III qualification is typically twelve months to two years or between 1200-2400 hours. At NTM, you will attend 60 sessions of 1 hour per week of virtual online training over three semesters. In addition, you can expect to undertake around 19 hours per week of reading, completing assessments, lesson preparation, and one day of work placement. If you work in an animal care-related job, much of this additional work, including assessments, can be done in the workplace. Remember that every learner is different, so you may do fewer hours or need more time. For example, if your typing and reading speed is not as fast as other learners, you will spend more time on the course each week.
What learning platform does NTM use?
Our Learning Management System (LMS) is Microsoft Teams. As a student at NTM, you will have your own FREE Microsoft 365 account, giving you access to all popular products, including Teams, Word, and PowerPoint. For the duration of your course, we will provide you with an educational Microsoft account, giving FREE access to the Office 365 product family. As you will have your own account, this will save you from purchasing the Office 365 suite or a subscription. If you already have your own subscription to Office 365 or are planning on purchasing Office, remember you will get all the Office products for FREE when you enrol.
I would like to discuss the course before I enrol
Please call our learning consultants on 1300 653 501 to discuss the course. At NTM we are committed to enhancing your learning potential by providing a range of services. If you would like to speak to a qualified Career Development Practitioner before enrolling or to discuss Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) about your previous qualifications or workplace training experience, contact our office. To support your learning journey, we have a range of support services available, including Career Development, Counselling, Disability and Adult Basic Education services. As a student of NTM, these support services are available at no extra cost.
Do I need a Unique Student Identifier (USI)?
From 1 January 2015, anyone enrolling in a TAFE or Registered Training Organisation needs a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you do not have a USI or have lost it, you can get it quickly and at no cost, at www.usi.gov.au A USI gives you access to an online account and will contain all your nationally recognised training and results from 1 January 2015 onwards.
How do I enrol?
Enrolling is easy by following the steps below
1 Download the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services enrolment form here: NTM_Animals_Enrolment form_v3.5_2025
2 Email your completed enrolment form to [email protected]
3 If you have any questions or would like to speak to a consultant, please call: 1300 653 501
4 Once you submit your enrolment form, our Senior Animal Trainer will call you to discuss the course requirements.
We are a 100% Australian-owned and operated company. Our head office is in beautiful Kiama on the South Coast of NSW. When you call NTM, you will speak to a real local person, not an overseas call centre. All our trainers are located in Australia and have local qualifications, experience and training.