Important update.
If at any stage during course delivery, students aren't permitted onsite due to COVID-19 restrictions enforced by either the Government or by Taronga, the Taronga Training Institute will continue to deliver Certificate courses via virtual classrooms. This will continue to provide students with direct contact with trainers and their classmates.
In the event this is enforced, students would also gain virtual access to Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo through specially recorded interviews, behind the scenes recordings and online resources. Taronga would then transition back to onsite classes as soon as is safely possible.
Study format
Course Structure: Studying at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo can be completed in different ways to suit your individual needs. You can study:
- On-site at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo on Tuesdays 9.30am to 2.30pm.
Study load: There is a total of 12 units of competency to be completed to a satisfactory level. This includes weekly face to face classes (or online study), tutorials, workshops, practical assessment days and facilitated practical requirements. Independent study, research, workbooks and assessments are completed in your own time. It is estimated that you will spend approximately 25 hours per week completing the course requirements.
Course entry requirements
- Students must be a minimum of 16 years of age on commencement of the course
- Students must be an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or New Zealand Citizen
- Students are expected to attend all mandatory dates which include classroom sessions, practical assessment days, facilitated practical days and workshops.
- Students should have a good level of health and fitness in order to fully participate in the course
- Students should demonstrate good English skills, both written and verbal, and basic numeracy skills and will be required to undertake a Language, Literacy and Numeracy skills test to ensure you have the necessary skills to complete the course requirements
- Students are required to be double vaccinated for COVID-19 and show proof upon acceptance into the course
Units of competency
Core units
- ACMWHS201 Participate in WHS processes
- ACMGEN201 Work in the animal care industry
- BSBCMM211 Apply communication skills
- ACMGEN202 Complete animal care hygiene routines
- ACMGEN203 Feed and water animals
- ACMGEN204 Assist in the health care of animals
- ACMSUS201 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
Elective units
- ACMGEN309 Provide basic first aid for animals
- BSBOPS203 Deliver a service to customers
- ACMGEN205 Source and provide information for animal care needs
- ACMBEH301 Identify behaviours and interact safety with animals
- ACMGEN314 Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work
NOTE: All 12 units (7 core and 5 elective) must be completed to gain the Certificate II in Animal Care.
Pathways
Successful completion of ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care prepares you 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 care facilities, sanctuaries and veterinary clinics. In addition, further study options are available, including:
- Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care;
- Certificate III in Animal Technology;
- Certificate III in Companion Animal Services;
- Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Please note TTI only offers the Certificate III Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care. The other qualifications can be completed at other Registered Training Organisations. Please visit the Training Sector website for further details.
Application process
Taronga is an equal opportunity organisation and encourages people from diverse backgrounds to apply to study with us. The application process is used to help determine your suitability to complete the course in conjunction with the support of TTI staff & trainers.
The online application process is used to determine your suitability within the course. Ensure you spend time reading the questions and completing your application before submitting. Please note that the application form is not designed to be completed on a mobile device. Please use a laptop or desktop computer when applying.
All applications must be submitted online during the application opening period. Any applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
All applicants must:
- Read the Course Information above and ensure you can meet the requirements of the course before lodging an application
- Read the Taronga Training Institute Student Handbook prior to completing an application
- Complete ALL questions in the online application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and cannot progress any further
- Read the terms and conditions below before applying - proceed to apply only if you agree and can comply with the conditions
- Copies of the following will need to be uploaded at the time of your online application and you should gather electronic copies of these documents before commencing your application:
- copies of any completed units of competency that make up the Certificate II in Animal Care or any equivalent units, as offered by Taronga Training Institute, as you may be eligible for Credit Transfer
- copy of your birth certificate or passport as proof of Australian Citizenship or permanent residency
- copy of your photo ID
- your Unique Student Identifier (USI)
- On submission of your application you should receive a confirmation email to the email address you provided within your application. If you do not receive a confirmation email from Taronga Training Institute within 24 hours, please please first check your junk email, before contacting us at tti@zoo.nsw.gov.au
- If your application is accepted, you will be offered an interview with Taronga Training Institute staff. During this interview your suitability to the course will be evaluated and a judgement will be made by Taronga Training Institute staff. During your interview you will be requested to provide the originals of the documents uploaded during the application process:
- your original Statements of Attainment for any units of Credit Transfer
- your original birth certificate or passport as proof of Australian Citizenship or permanent residency
- your original photo ID
- If your application is successful, you will be required to accept your position and complete the enrolment requirements within 72 hours. You may be required to pay a portion of your course fees shortly after your enrolment. If you are offered a Smart & Skilled position, this fee will be refunded less any student contributions
Course dates
Orientation Day for all face to face day classes will be February 2023.
Face to Face classes and online tutorial sessions will start in February and continue weekly until September (excluding school holidays).
A full schedule of dates will be provided upon successful application into the course. Please note that if any of your classes fall on a public holiday, they will be rescheduled to the next business day.
All students are required to attend two (2) facilitated practical days on site for assessment purposes. Students will have a choice of which days they prefer. Please note that facilitated practical days will commence at 7.30am and finish at 3pm.
Orientation and starting: Tuesday 14th February 2023
Finishing: Tuesday 12th September 2023
Terms and conditions
Please read carefully before applying
Thank you for your interest in studying with the Taronga Training Institute. By completing this application you acknowledge the following conditions:
- Your application will be evaluated and if you are successful, you will be offered a position in the Certificate II in Animal Care with the Taronga Training Institute. Commercial course fees can be paid in full or in two equal instalments. The first instalment is due within two weeks of the offer being made. Any students awarded a Smart and Skilled subsidised position will be required to pay the student component of fees upon acceptance of a position in the course. NOTE: No payment of course fees is required until you are offered a position in the course and the offer being accepted at which time payment of course fees will be required in full.
- The completion of your application does not constitute enrolment in the course. All applications will be reviewed based on eligibility and merit. Applicants deemed most suitable, based on their response to the selection criteria questions contained within the application will be invited to attend an onsite or online interview after applications close. You may withdraw your application at any stage, prior to being offered/accepting a position.
- You understand that if you are successful in being offered a position in the course you are committed to attending all classes
- Attendance is expected at ALL classes; attendance of less than 80% of classes may result in the missed unit/s of competency needing to be repeated at the student's expense prior to being eligible for the issue of a qualification. Attendance at all practical assessment days is a mandatory requirement of the course and these dates will be provided upon successful application.
- You understand that in order to be eligible to study with the Taronga Training Institute you must be an Australian Citizen, permanent resident of Australia or a New Zealand Citizen.
- You understand that it is a requirement of this course that you wear the Taronga Training Institute student uniform when you attend classroom sessions. The uniform consists of a polo shirt and jumper. The course fee includes the cost of your uniform. Additional uniform items can be purchased at $45 per item.
- The Taronga Training Institute is committed to minimising its use of paper. As such you confirm you have access to a computer to access course material, and upload assessments. The use of a laptop (preferred) or tablet in the classroom is necessary. You are computer literate and can access the internet to upload and download assessments and course work when required.
- You understand if you enrol into a course with Taronga Training Institute you will be required to access the online student management system on a regular basis to receive and send communication to the institute.
- You will answer all questions truthfully and to the best of your ability and you acknowledge that you have completed the application questions and you have not had any other person complete the application on your behalf.
Work Health and Safety considerations:
- Taronga Training Institute is required and committed to ensure that all prospective students satisfy the inherent requirements and job demands of the course for which they are being considered and that all students are safe in fulfilling the components of their course. This information is required for the purpose of assessing your fitness for participation in the course. Please Note: medical clearance may be required if requested by Taronga’s WHS Manager or the Taronga Training Institute Manager.
- Taronga may require students to be vaccinated at their own expense and you will be required to comply with any vaccination requirements of Taronga.
- It is a requirement of studying with Taronga Training Institute that all students have had at least 2 COVID 19 vaccinations by the time their course commences or a formal medical exemption – subject to approval by Taronga Training Institute.
- Taronga Training Institute also reserves the right to include any other vaccinations as required
- Taronga’s Veterinary and Animal Health Team in consultation with Taronga’s Work Health and Safety Manager would like to advise you that working in some areas of the Zoo poses a risk to both animals and humans in the transfer of tuberculosis. Taronga requires you to provide TB clearance prior to commencement if you are identified as being in a high risk category for tuberculosis. You will need to provide TB clearance if you fit into any of the following categories:
- Born overseas in a high TB incidence country
- Lived overseas in a high TB incidence country for longer than 3 months
- Have known exposure to a TB positive person
Please note: TB clearance is not required prior to acceptance of a position in the course
Please be advised that the risk of contracting TB is very low. However, you may choose to seek further advice from your health professional.
Frequently asked questions
How is this course assessed?
Course assessments are a combination of written answers, reports, case studies, projects, practical activities, observations of students performing tasks, self-assessments and supervisor reports.
What is a facilitated practical day?
As a course requirement, all students must be assessed for specific practical requirements. In order to complete these requirements, it is necessary for students to be observed in a real working environment. A facilitated practical day involves students attending the Zoo and completing these practical requirements under the supervision of a qualified assessor. Morning routines of keeping staff are followed which means students will need to be on site ready for commencement as early as 7.30am.
How much work is involved in an accredited course?
Accredited Training through the Taronga Training Institute involves mandatory classroom sessions, tutorials, workshops and assessment days. Depending upon your course, you may also have a practical placement. In addition to these mandatory dates, you will have independent study and research, workbooks and other course related activities. We would expect that you will need to spend between 20-25 hours per week completing your course requirements depending upon your previous knowledge and skills.
Do you deliver courses to international students?
Under our obligations as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), students of the Taronga Training Institute must be a citizen (or permanent resident) of Australia, a citizen of New Zealand or holders of an acceptable study visa. Accordingly, TTI does not currently deliver to students outside of this criteria and we do not delivery any accredited training via overseas or international partnerships.
Do I have to wear a uniform?
When on site, TTI students are required to wear the Taronga Training Institute polo shirt which is provided and included in your course fees. Additional uniform items may be purchased at the start of the course. Please speak to your Support Officer during Orientation for further details.
Who is the registered course provider?
Taronga Training Institute, Registered Training Organisation No. 91359, is the course provider. Taronga is a leading wildlife tourism attraction and operates both Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo. All qualifications gained will be issued by Taronga Training Institute.
Can I get a position as a volunteer while I am a student?
Yes, while studying with TTI, you are able to apply through Taronga's volunteer program. However, if your course requires you to conduct practical placement, volunteer days are additional and TTI practical days must still be completed. Please note that being a TTI student will not automatically gain entry into our volunteer program.
I have some general questions about studying with Taronga
We have captured most of the questions we have previously received either on our website or in our Student Handbook. Please thoroughly read both of these platforms and if you still have questions, you can email us at tti@zoo.nsw.gov.au.