Core Units

• ACMWHS201 Participate in Workplace Health Safety 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 successfully to gain the qualification of ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care.

• Students must be a minimum of 16 years of age on commencement of the course
• Students are expected to attend all mandatory dates which include classroom lessons , practical assessment days, facilitated practical days and workshops.
• Students must be an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident New Zealand Citizen  residing in Australia or hold an acceptable visa (with no study restrictions) and be approved by Taronga Training Institute.
• Students must have a good level of health and fitness in order to fully participate in the course
• Students must demonstrate good English and communication 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.

FACE TO FACE 

Our Certificate II in Animal Care (ACM20121) offers two intakes each year for Sydney—in July and January, and one in Dubbo. Here’s what you need to know to apply:

1. Application Open Dates
   Applications open approximately 3 months prior to each intake. Be sure to mark your calendar to avoid missing the deadline.
2. Review Course Information
   Before applying, carefully review the course details to ensure you meet all application requirements.
3. Complete Your Application
   Once applications open, fill out the online form in full. Incomplete applications will not be accepted, so double-check all fields before submitting.
4. Application Review and Interviews
   After submission, our team will review your application. Suitable candidates will be invited to an interview as part of the selection process.
5. Accept Your Offer
   If successful, you’ll receive a notification and an offer to join the course. You must accept your position and complete all enrolment requirements within 72 hours to secure your place.

How to best prepare for your application: 

See the course dates below:

Note all dates and time are subject to change with notice

Sydney- July 2025

Monday

Start: Monday 7th July 2025

Finish: Monday 8th December 2025

Assessment Days: Monday 20th October & Monday 8th December 2025

• Due to the Bank Holiday and Labour Day falling on a Monday, students will be required to attend class on a TUESDAY on two specific dates: Tuesday 4th August & Tuesday 6th October 2025. Remainder of your classes will be held on Monday.

Tuesday

Start: Tuesday 8th July 2025

Finish: Tuesday 9th December 2025

Assessment Days: Tuesday 21st October & Tuesday 9th December 2025

This training is subsidised by the NSW Government (Smart and Skilled)*. Eligibility criteria apply.

$1,120 – Smart & Skilled Student contribution for First Qualification

$1,340 – Smart & Skilled Student contribution for Second Qualification

$160 – Smart & Skilled Student contribution Concession

Smart and Skilled student contribution to be paid in full on acceptance.

$3,870 - Full course value (without Smart and Skilled subsidy)

Pay in full on acceptance or by 2 equal instalments (first payment due on acceptance).

Course cost includes all course materials and compulsory uniform items.

Pricing as at 1st August 2023, subject to change.  

*This training is subsidised by the NSW Government (Smart and Skilled). Eligibility criteria can be found on the Smart and Skilled website.

There may be a limited number of Smart and Skilled funded positions available for this intake of the Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care at Taronga Training Institute.

The cost of this qualification will vary based on your eligibility for a Smart and Skilled Student Fee. Irrespective of eligibility enrolled students may not be offered a Smart and Skilled funded position.

Successful completion of this course 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 to continue your career in Animal Care, including:

• ACM30321 Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care;
• ACM30219 Certificate III in Animal Technology;
• ACM30417 Certificate III in Companion Animal Services;
• ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Please note Taronga Training Institute only offers Certificate III Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care. The other qualifications listed above can be completed at other registered training organisations.

Please refer to the National Training Sector website for further details on available courses.

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 ACM20121 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. A $300 acceptance and administration fee will be retained out of the 1st Instalment of fees paid in the event that the student withdraws their enrolment during the two-week cooling off period. 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.
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 will be assigned to a class and you are committed to attending all classes on the dates listed.  
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.
You understand that to be eligible to study with the Taronga Training Institute you must be an Australian Citizen, permanent resident of Australia, New Zealand Citizen residing in Australia or hold an acceptable visa (with no study restrictions) and be approved by Taronga Training Institute. Please note: Visa holders are encouraged to contact Taronga Training Institute prior to lodging an application to confirm their eligibility to study with us.
You understand that it is a requirement of this course that you wear the Taronga Training Institute uniform (issued polo) when you attend classroom sessions and onsite practical days. The course fee includes one polo shirt. Additional uniform items can be purchased for an additional cost. You will be required to provide and wear neutral coloured short or pants and work boots.
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 Zoo.
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.

• Must be in Year 11 or 12  at school (NSW) or Year 11 or 12 or Year 10 turning 16 (QLD)
• Students are expected to attend all classroom lessons and practical days
• Students must be an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or New Zealand Citizen residing in Australia or hold an acceptable visa (with no study restrictions) and be approved by Taronga Training Institute.
• Students must be able to make their own way to and from the campus.  
• Students must have written permission from their school principal/careers advisor to participate in the course
• Students must have written permission from a parent/guardian to participate in the course
• Students are required to wear the provided Taronga Training Institute uniform and enclosed footwear at all times when attending their campus
• Students should bring a laptop computer (preferable) or tablet computer to classes

• Students must meet the selection criteria and demonstrate good English and communication skills, both written and verbal, and basic numeracy skills  
• Enrolment in this course needs to be coordinated/approved with the students’ school
• Acceptance into the course will be based on merit (subject to students meeting minimum entry requirements) and is NOT first in first served.

NSW:  

• Schools must submit an EOI for their students through the EVET portal.
• Students will receive a questionnaire to complete.
• Questionnaires will be reviewed and selected students will be offered an interview.
• Outcomes will be posted on the EVET portal.

QLD:

Complete all questions in the online application. 

NSW: Refer to EVET and contact your school for further pricing information.

Course fee includes all course materials and compulsory uniform items.

Please see below for terms & conditions and further instructions on how to apply.

NSW: To be considered for a position within the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (HSC) with the Taronga Training Institute, you must discuss your desire to apply with your school careers advisor/ EVET contact. Together you will need to submit an expression of interest form through the EVET portal. This is only accessible through school logins and cannot be accessed as an individual student. Only expressions of interest submitted through the EVET portal will be considered for the course. Expressions of interest sent via email or in paper form will not be accepted.
The completion of the expression of interest form through EVET does not constitute enrolment in the course. In accordance with the EVET timeline, once the EVET applications closes your expression of interest will be evaluated through EVET. If successful, a position will be offered in the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care with the Taronga Training Institute. Offers will be made through EVET to the corresponding student’s school. Schools with successful students will be required to accept or decline their students offer by the required deadline as set out in the EVET timeline. Offers will be made in line with the EVET timeline dates. Schools may withdraw a student’s application at any stage. Payment of fees should be discussed between school and student prior to submission of their expression of interest.

Classroom lessons will be held one day per week from 9.00am to 2.00pm (Sydney) and 9.30am -2.30pm (Dubbo). Students will also be required to complete a total of five (5) onsite practical days and one (2) facilitated practical day (Dubbo) and (1) facilitated practical day (Sydney), additional to their weekly class day as a requirement of the course. Practical days will be scheduled in consultation with the student on weekends and throughout the NSW school holidays.

QLD: To be considered for a position within the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (QCE) with the Taronga Training Institute, you must discuss your desire to apply with your school careers advisor/teacher. You will need to submit an application through the Taronga Training website.

Training is delivered as a mix of independant online study (weekly) combined with alternating onsite classroom learning from 8.30am - 12.30pm and online tutorials from 8.30am - 9.30am each week. 
You understand that if successful in being offered a position in the course, additional documentation will be requested and required to be submitted within the deadlines given by Taronga Training Institute. Failure to do so may result in the student relinquishing their position in the course. 
Students are required to commit to attending all scheduled classes (excluding school holidays).
 

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 residing in Australia.
You understand that it is a requirement of this course that you wear the Taronga Training Institute uniform (issued polo) when you attend classroom sessions and onsite practical days. Additional uniform items can be purchased on request. You will be required to provide and wear neutral coloured shorts or pants and work boots.
The Taronga Training Institute is committed to minimising its use of paper. Students must 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. Students are to be computer literate and able to 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.
Student 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.
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.

Course assessments are a combination of written answers, reports, case studies, projects, practical activities, observations of students performing tasks, self-assessments and supervisor reports. 

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 Taronga Zoo Sydney, Taronga Western Plains Dubbo or Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast 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 7.00am. 

Accredited training through the Taronga Training Institute involves independent online study, mandatory classroom sessions, workshops and assessment days. 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. 

Under our obligations as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), students of the Taronga Training Institute must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia or a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia or hold an acceptable visa (with no study restrictions) and be approved by Taronga Training Institute.  

Accordingly, Taronga Training Institute does not currently deliver to students outside of these criteria and we do not delivery any accredited training via overseas or international partnerships. 

When on site, Taronga Training Institute 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. 

Taronga Training Institute, Registered Training Organisation No. 91359, is the course provider. Taronga Training Institute, as the RTO, is responsible for the quality of training and assessment in compliance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015, and for the issuance of the AQF [Australian Qualification Framework] certification documentation. 

For more information about any of our Certificate courses, take a look at our student handbook or send us an email at tti@zoo.nsw.gov.au alternatively give our team a call at (02) 9978 4746.