Home Insiders & Advisers Field Officer Briefs Animal Care and Management ACM

Animal Care and Management ACM

Overview

Commencements

Availability & Duration

Australian School-based Apprenticeships

Overview

These qualifications cover animal related care and management and include companion animal care and control, veterinary nursing and farriery work.

‘Agriculture Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management’ and ‘Racing and Breeding’ are associated industries.

Quick facts

The training units of competent structure and packing rules are detailed in Training Package documents.

The information provided here includes the most recent changes from the ACM (release 4.1) Training Package.

The Animal Care and Management Training Package ACM (release 4.1) includes 17 qualifications and 25 skill sets

Registered Training Organisations can access the full details of this Training Package from the
training.gov.au website.

Career information

Qualification and job outcome information is also presented in a Job Pathways Chart.

For specific industry information click here.

More detail of how training works can be accessed here: for employers; for potential employees.

Use the My Skills site to search for Registered Training Organisations registered to deliver courses. Each State and Territory separately approves Registered Training Organisations to deliver apprenticeships and traineeships in their jurisdiction.

Qualifications Summary

ACM20117 - Certificate II in Animal Studies

This is a general qualification for entry into sectors of the animal care and management industry, where workers provide care for animals in workplaces such as animal shelters, kennels, catteries, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics.

Animal Shelter Attendant

Assistant Dog Groomer

Veterinary Assistant

ACM20121 - Certificate II in Animal Care

This qualification describes the skills and knowledge for entry level and support roles in the animal care and management industry, where workers provide care for animals in workplaces such as animal shelters, boarding/day care facilities, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics. The work activities are routine, performed under supervision and within clearly defined guidelines.

Animal Shelter Attendant

Veterinary Assistant

ACM20217 - Certificate II in Horse Care

This is a general qualification for entry into industry sectors where horses are used. Job roles may include stable hand; farm hand; groom, stock rider; or trail-ride assistant.

Horse Riding Assistant

ACM30117 - Certificate III in Animal Studies

This qualification is a general industry standard for persons operating at an assistant level and undertaking animal care functions in an animal care workplace.

Animal Health Officer-Indigenous Communities

ACM30121 - Certificate III in Animal Care Services

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.

Aquarium Assistant

Grooming Assistant

Animal Carer

ACM30219 - Certificate III in Animal Technology

This qualification is the industry qualification for persons operating at a junior or assistant level and undertaking animal technology functions within a biomedical research or production environment.

Technical Officer

ACM30317 - Certificate III in Captive Animals

This qualification is a general industry standard for persons operating at pre-trade level and undertaking animal care functions in a captive animal facility or institution.

Assistant Wildlife Attendant

ACM30417 - Certificate III in Companion Animal Services

This qualification is the industry standard for persons operating within a companion animal organisation. Main duties include feeding, watering and diet preparation, providing advice to customers on animal selection and care.

Cattery Assistant

Kennel Assistant

Aquarium Assistant

ACM30617 - Certificate III in Pet Grooming

This qualification is for persons operating within an organisation that provides professional pet grooming services. A pet grooming attendant undertakes salon reception and housekeeping duties as well as bathing, brushing, trimming and other basic grooming services for domestic pets, usually dogs and in some cases cats. The duties require patience and a genuine empathy for animals, excellent customer service skills as well as high standards of cleanliness and professionalism.

Grooming Assistant

ACM30717 - Certificate III in Horse Breeding

This qualification provides a vocational outcome for persons operating in a horse breeding or stud farm operation.

Horse Breeding Assistant

ACM30817 - Certificate III in Performance Horse

This qualification is for occupational outcomes in the Performance Horse industry and covers the skills and knowledge required to work safely with horses,

Stable Hand

ACM30918 - Certificate III in Equine Hoof Care

This qualification reflects the role of practitioners undertaking equine barefoot care. It covers hoof care, hoof trimming and the provision of services to assist in optimising environmental and nutritional requirements of equines in a range of varied contexts that may be complex and non-routine.

Horse Trimmer

ACM40117 - Certificate IV in Animal Control and Regulation

Animal control and regulation (also known as urban animal management) is a function provided by local and State/Territory governments. It provides a community management service comprising four elements - regulation, education, information and infrastructure.

Animal Control Officer

ACM40217 - Certificate IV in Captive Animals

A general industry qualification for persons operating at a senior keeper level and undertaking animal care functions within zoo, wildlife or theme park environments.

Senior Keeper

ACM40317 - Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services

This industry qualification for persons managing within companion animal organisations such as a pet shop, animal shelter, kennel or cattery.

Animal Shelter Supervisor

Animal Trainer/Behaviourist

Pet Shop Manager

ACM40418 - Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

This qualification reflects the role of a veterinary nurse who works under the supervision of a registered veterinarian to provide nursing care to animals, to support veterinarians to carry out medical and surgical procedures, and to support clients to maintain health of animals.

Veterinary Nurse

Equine Veterinary Nurse

ACM40517 - Certificate IV in Equine Dentistry

This qualification covers work activities undertaken by an equine dental service provider who is engaged or employed to provide day-to-day dental care and treatment services for routine dental correction and oral care for equines

Equine Dental Service Provider

ACM40818 - Certificate IV in Farriery

This qualification provides a trade outcome in farriery. It relates to the work activities undertaken by a farrier who is engaged or employed to provide equine hoof care and shoeing services. Farriers are generally self-employed, working autonomously and taking responsibility for their own functions and outputs in a range of varied contexts that may be complex and non-routine.

Farrier

ACM50119 - Diploma of Animal Technology

This qualification is the industry qualification for individuals aiming to operate at a senior technician or managerial level, undertaking animal technology functions within a biomedical research, teaching or production environment.

Senior Animal Technician

ACM50212 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Surgical)

This qualification is the industry standard for veterinary nurses who provide specialised surgical nursing support for registered specialist veterinarians performing specialised surgical procedures within veterinary clinics or hospitals.

Veterinary Surgical Nurse

ACM50219 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing

This qualification reflects the role of a senior veterinary nurse who works under the supervision of a registered veterinarian, to provide leadership to staff and advanced nursing care for animals including applying specialist skills and in-depth knowledge to patient assessment, care and management within a veterinary workplace.

Senior Veterinary Nurse

Dental Veterinary Nurse

Emergency Care Veterinary Nurse

Surgical Veterinary Nurse

ACM50312 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Dental)

This qualification is the industry standard for veterinary nurses who provide specialised and advanced veterinary dental nursing support within a clinic or hospital that performs advanced veterinary dentistry, or a specialist or referral veterinary dental clinic or hospital.

Veterinary Dental Nurse

ACM50412 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical Care)

This qualification is the industry standard for veterinary nurses who provide support for an extensive range of emergency and critical care procedures within a veterinary hospital or emergency/specialist veterinary clinic.

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Nurse

ACM50512 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (General Practice)

This qualification is the industry standard for veterinary nurses who provide a leadership role and apply advanced skills and knowledge in patient assessment, care and management within a veterinary workplace.

General Practice Veterinary Nurse

Note: Employers should be aware that this information is provided as a guide only to the content and use of the Training Package. Employers should seek advice from an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (Apprenticeship Network) provider or Registered Training Organisation for more detail.

Commencements

	NSW	VIC	QLD	WA	SA	TAS	ACT	NT
ACM20117 - Certificate II in Animal Studies
Annual Commencements	20	10	45	15	0	15	0	0
ACM30117 - Certificate III in Animal Studies
Annual Commencements	15	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
ACM30317 - Certificate III in Captive Animals
Annual Commencements	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
ACM30417 - Certificate III in Companion Animal Services
Annual Commencements	5	20	35	0	5	0	0	0
ACM30617 - Certificate III in Pet Grooming
Annual Commencements	10	5	0	0	0	0	0	0
ACM40418 - Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Annual Commencements	10	30	10	10	25	20	0	0
ACM40818 - Certificate IV in Farriery
Annual Commencements	15	0	5	0	0	0	0	0

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 12/07/2021, rounded estimates for January 2020 to December 2020. Qualifications with no recorded commencements may not appear. This data is for general information purposes only.

Availability and Duration

	NSW	VIC	QLD	WA	SA	TAS	ACT	NT
ACM20117 - Certificate II in Animal Studies
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	12 mths	12 mths	12 mths	12 mths	12 mths			12 mths
Part Time
Classification	T	T	T	T	T	*		T
ACM20121 - Certificate II in Animal Care
Full Time (Nominal Duration)						12 mths	12 mths
Part Time
Classification						*	T
ACM20217 - Certificate II in Horse Care
Full Time (Nominal Duration)		24 mths						12 mths
Part Time
Classification		T				*		A
ACM30117 - Certificate III in Animal Studies
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	24 mths		24 mths		24 mths			18 mths
Part Time
Classification	T		T		T	*		A
ACM30121 - Certificate III in Animal Care Services
Full Time (Nominal Duration)						12 mths
Part Time
Classification						*
ACM30219 - Certificate III in Animal Technology
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	24 mths			24 mths	24 mths		24 mths	24 mths
Part Time
Classification	T			T	T	*	T	A
ACM30317 - Certificate III in Captive Animals
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	24 mths		24 mths	24 mths	24 mths			36 mths
Part Time
Classification	T		T	T	T	*		A
ACM30417 - Certificate III in Companion Animal Services
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	24 mths	24 mths	24 mths	24 mths	24 mths		24 mths	36 mths
Part Time
Classification	T	T	T	T	T	*	T	A
ACM30617 - Certificate III in Pet Grooming
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	24 mths	24 mths		24 mths				36 mths
Part Time
Classification	T	T		T		*		A
ACM30717 - Certificate III in Horse Breeding
Full Time (Nominal Duration)		24 mths
Part Time
Classification		T				*
ACM30817 - Certificate III in Performance Horse
Full Time (Nominal Duration)								36 mths
Part Time
Classification						*		A
ACM30918 - Certificate III in Equine Hoof Care
Full Time (Nominal Duration)								36 mths
Part Time
Classification						*		A
ACM40117 - Certificate IV in Animal Control and Regulation
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	36 mths	24 mths			36 mths			36 mths
Part Time
Classification	T	T			T	*		T
ACM40217 - Certificate IV in Captive Animals
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	36 mths				36 mths			36 mths
Part Time
Classification	T				T	*		T
ACM40317 - Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	36 mths			24 mths	36 mths			36 mths
Part Time
Classification	T			T	T	*		T
ACM40418 - Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	30 mths	36 mths	36 mths	24 mths	36 mths	36 mths	36 mths	36 mths
Part Time
Classification	T	T	T	T	T	*	T	A
ACM40517 - Certificate IV in Equine Dentistry
Full Time (Nominal Duration)								36 mths
Part Time
Classification						*		T
ACM40818 - Certificate IV in Farriery
Full Time (Nominal Duration)	48 mths	48 mths	48 mths	36 mths	48 mths	48 mths	48 mths	36 mths
Part Time
Classification	A	A	A	A	A	*	A	T
ACM50119 - Diploma of Animal Technology
Full Time (Nominal Duration)					48 mths			36 mths
Part Time
Classification					T	*		T
ACM50212 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Surgical)
Full Time (Nominal Duration)								18 mths
Part Time
Classification						*		T
ACM50219 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing
Full Time (Nominal Duration)					48 mths	18 mths
Part Time
Classification					T	*
ACM50312 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Dental)
Full Time (Nominal Duration)								18 mths
Part Time
Classification						*		T
ACM50412 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical Care)
Full Time (Nominal Duration)								24 mths
Part Time
Classification						*		T
ACM50512 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (General Practice)
Full Time (Nominal Duration)								24 mths
Part Time
Classification						*		T

Legend: = Yes, = No, A = identified by the State or Territory as an Apprenticeship, T = identified by the State or Territory as a Traineeship, * = An approved qualification in Tasmania is available as an Apprenticeship/Traineeship.

Availability of Australian Apprenticeships and Nominal Duration (in months)
A Qualification registered by a State or Territory as available as an Australian Apprenticeship may not be eligible for public funding support, check with the relevant State or Territory Training Authority.

Nominal durations listed are for full time occuptations, stated in months. In some cases nominal durations provided may not include the completion of pre-requisites. This data is sourced from State and Territory Training Authorities and is provided for information only and must be confirmed with these authorities.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships

	NSW	VIC	QLD	WA	SA	TAS	ACT	NT
ACM20117 - Certificate II in Animal Studies
Availability
ACM20121 - Certificate II in Animal Care
Availability
ACM20217 - Certificate II in Horse Care
Availability
ACM30117 - Certificate III in Animal Studies
Availability
ACM30121 - Certificate III in Animal Care Services
Availability
ACM30219 - Certificate III in Animal Technology
Availability
ACM30317 - Certificate III in Captive Animals
Availability
ACM30417 - Certificate III in Companion Animal Services
Availability
ACM30617 - Certificate III in Pet Grooming
Availability
ACM30717 - Certificate III in Horse Breeding
Availability
ACM40117 - Certificate IV in Animal Control and Regulation
Availability
ACM40217 - Certificate IV in Captive Animals
Availability
ACM40317 - Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services
Availability
ACM40418 - Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Availability
ACM40818 - Certificate IV in Farriery
Availability
ACM50119 - Diploma of Animal Technology
Availability
ACM50219 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing
Availability

Legend: = Yes, = No

This information generally reflects availability of ASbAs that may contribute to study scores. In some cases ASbAs allow an individual to start training in a qualification that can be completed after they leave secondary school. Australian Apprenticeships may also be undertaken as part-time employment. Please note that applicable industrial arrangements must allow for ASbAs. Visit the relevant State or Territory website for more detailed information (click on the State or Territory link provided).

Not what you're looking for?

Animal Care and Management ACM

Overview

Commencements

Availability & Duration

Australian School-based Apprenticeships

Quick facts

Career information

Major Occupations Training

Qualifications Summary

ACM20117 - Certificate II in Animal Studies

ACM20121 - Certificate II in Animal Care

ACM20217 - Certificate II in Horse Care

ACM30117 - Certificate III in Animal Studies

ACM30121 - Certificate III in Animal Care Services

ACM30219 - Certificate III in Animal Technology

ACM30317 - Certificate III in Captive Animals

ACM30417 - Certificate III in Companion Animal Services

ACM30617 - Certificate III in Pet Grooming

ACM30717 - Certificate III in Horse Breeding

ACM30817 - Certificate III in Performance Horse

ACM30918 - Certificate III in Equine Hoof Care

ACM40117 - Certificate IV in Animal Control and Regulation

ACM40217 - Certificate IV in Captive Animals

ACM40317 - Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services

ACM40418 - Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

ACM40517 - Certificate IV in Equine Dentistry

ACM40818 - Certificate IV in Farriery

ACM50119 - Diploma of Animal Technology

ACM50212 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Surgical)

ACM50219 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing

ACM50312 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Dental)

ACM50412 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical Care)

ACM50512 - Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (General Practice)

Back to Field Officer Brief Search

Be the first to receive our resources, news and updates. Sign up to our newsletter.

Email Subscription