What does this course involve?
This course will give you the skills for entry-level work in the animal care industry.
You’ll learn how to assist with general animal care, provide food and water for animals and follow Occupational Health and Safety procedures in the workplace.
You can specialise in any of these streams:
Veterinary Nursing (delivered on-the-job only)
This stream is designed for those who are working or seeking work in a veterinary clinic.
You’ll learn how to carry out veterinary reception duties, carry out daily clinic routines and assist with surgery preparations.
This stream will give you credits into the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
Animal Care(Schools Program only)
This stream is designed for secondary school students wanting to gain basic skills and knowledge to become animal carers.
You’ll learn to provide daily care for a variety of animals and provide information on companion animals, products and services.
Captive Animals (delivered on-the-job only)
This course is designed for volunteers in captive animal facilities such as zoos, wildlife parks and sanctuaries.
This course aims to complement your volunteer work by giving you skills for working within captive animal institutions and in rehabilitating native wildlife.
What employment opportunities will I have?
Veterinary Nursing
This course may provide you with entry-level employment opportunities in veterinary clinics.
Animal Care (Schools Program)
This course may provide you with employment opportunities as an Animal Carer in:
- welfare organisations
- animal rescue centres
- pet retail shops
- pet boarding facilities
- pet grooming services
Captive AnimalsThis course may provide you with employment opportunities as an Animal Attendant in:
- welfare organisations
- animal rescue centres
- zoos
- wildlife parks
- sanctuaries
As a student, the Institute’s Employment Service is your first port of call for advice on gaining employment in this field, and can be contacted on 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).
Accreditation
Nationally Recognised
What further study options will I have?
You may wish to progress into any of these courses:
- Certificate III in Companion Animal Services
- Certificate III in Captive Animals (for those employed as animal keepers in zoos or wildlife parks)
- Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (for those employed in vet clinics)
Can I apply?
- You must have successfully completed Year 10 of education, or equivalent
- You must supply evidence of your current tetanus vaccination
- You must provide evidence of work experience undertaken from an employer with the application form (where applicable)
To apply:
- Veterinary Nursing - rolling enrolment
- Animal Care - through your Schools programme
- Captive Animals - rolling enrolment
Depending on the stream of your choice, you must have the following work experience:
- Veterinary Nursing- 8 hours voluntary work per week in a veterinary clinic throughout the course
- Animal Care - 2 weeks voluntary work placement in an animal related industry (such as a pet shop, vet clinic or welfare organisation)
- Captive Animals - 2 weeks voluntary work placement in a captive animal related industry working with animals (such as a zoo, wildlife park or sanctuary)
How do I apply?
- Direct Entry - Rolling enrolments
Supplementary application requirements are necessary for this course. Please read the information contained in the selection process.
If you have any queries, please contact the Institute on 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).
How will I be selected for this course?
- Assessment of Application
- Supplementary requirements to the application process apply:
- Animal Care Box Hill Institute Vet in Schools booklets are sent to schools in August. This includes information on all the programs offered by the Institutes to schools together with application information.
Length of course
Veterinary Nursing
Part time - 1 year (self paced so length may vary)
Animal Care
Part time - 1 year (1 day and 1 evening per week 5pm - 8pm) during school term. Work experience times will be available on a roster basis to work in the animal facility, Pets on Elgar and observing vet clinic consults.
Captive Animals
Part time - 1 year (self paced so length may vary)
Where will I study?
Elgar Campus,
Industry Site
What costs and other fees should I expect?
Government Funded
This course attracts Victorian Government funding. For information about Fees and Charges please click here. This qualification may also be provided on a fee for service basis to industry, interstate or international students.
How will I be assessed?
- Oral presentation
- Written assessment
- Practical assessment
- Project work
- Examination or testing
- Online Assessment
- Workplace Assessment
Will my previous experience or study count?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) takes into account the knowledge and skills you've already gained through your previous education and work. This may be through formal or informal training, paid or unpaid work experience, and can earn you credit if relevant to your chosen course.