VET Certificate II in Animal Care -
New to TC in 2027 

VET Animal Care is a two-year course that provides students with the foundational skills and knowledge needed for entry-level roles in the animal care and management industry.  

If you are passionate about animals and interested in learning how to care for them safely and professionally, this course could be for you. It can help prepare you for future pathways in workplaces such as animal shelters, boarding and daycare facilities, wildlife sanctuaries, veterinary clinics and other animal care settings. 

Classes are conducted on-site at TC in our Working with Animals facility. Students will gain hands-on experience working with a wide variety of species, including skinks, snakes, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, pigs and alpacas. 

Throughout the course, you will learn how to: 

• Safely approach, handle and care for animals 

• Prepare and provide food and water 

• Clean and maintain animal enclosures 

• Assist with animal health care procedures 

• Provide enrichment activities that support animal wellbeing 

• Deliver basic animal first aid 

• Follow workplace health and safety procedures 

• Apply infection control and hygiene practices 

• Communicate with a wide variety of people in a professional manner  

This practical course is ideal for students who enjoy working with animals and/or are considering further study or a career in the animal care industry.  

There are no formal pre-requisite subjects for this course. Participation in the Animal Industry Skills elective is a helpful stepping stone to this class, but not essential. Similarly, our Animals electives (Feathers and Fur, Reptiles & Fish) can provide helpful experience working with animals, but is not a pre-requisite to enrol or succeed!  

What year level do I need to be in for VET Animal Care? Students can participate in VET Animal Care in FLE3 (Year 10) and above. 

Does it contribute towards my ATAR? Yes! This course is non-scored. Students completing a Unit 3-4 sequence of this program may be eligible for an increment towards their ATAR. An increment is calculated using 10% of the fourth study score of the primary four. Further information on this can be found on the VTAC website.  

If you wish to learn more about the certificate and its requirements, you can find further details at https://training.gov.au/training/details/ACM20121