Diploma of Animal Technology
 

Traineeship
National Code
: 
ACM50110
Short Course Guide
CRICOS Code:  
Centre:
Biotechnology and Animal Sciences
Location:
Elgar Campus
Study Area: Animal Studies;
Study Area Sub Category:  
Career Card:
Animal Technician
Jump to:
Units of Competency

What does this course involve?

The Diploma of Animal Technology traineeship enables you to work as an animal technician in a scientific research facility. You will learn routine animal husbandry including breeding of research animals and procedures to prevent microbial pathogens. You will also learn animal injection techniques, signs of ill health and use sampling methods to detect diseases in animal colonies. You will also monitor animals during anesthesia and surgery, and learn to comply with relevant legislation and codes of practice on the use of animals for scientific purposes. This course is designed to give you an empathic understanding of animals and ensure the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes.

What employment opportunities will I have?

This course will improve your chances of gaining employment as an animal technician in an animal research or breeding facility in a research institute, hospital or university. It will also provide the employability skills required in other animal related industries e.g. animal welfare, animal training, veterinary nursing, pet shops, animal boarding facilities and captive animals.

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

This course is government accredited and has national recognition

What further study options will I have?

Graduates of the Diploma of Animal Technology receive 120 credit points towards articulation into the Bachelor of Animal & Veterinary Biosciences at La Trobe University. Other students go on to study in veterinary nursing or animal science.

Can I apply?

You must supply evidence of current tetanus vaccination.

Preference is given to students with passes in Year 12 mathematics, chemistry or biology.

How do I apply?

VTAC and direct entry - beginning and mid-year intake.

Current Year 12 applicants:

To apply for a full time position in this course you must use the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) process. Details of the VTAC application process are at http://www.vtac.edu.au/ and in the VTAC Guide, which is available from leading newsagents and libraries from August. If the Institute still has vacancies after the VTAC places have been offered, you will be able to apply directly to the Institute. 

 

Mature age applicants:

You must apply through VTAC and are required to contact the Institute to arrange an interview in October. If the Institute still has vacancies after the VTAC places have been offered, you will be able to apply directly to the Institute.

Other applicants:

Contact the Centre for Biotechnology and Animal Sciences on 03 8892 2051 in September for more information, an application form and to arrange an interview.

If the Institute still has vacancies after the VTAC places have been offered, you may be offered a place.

If you have any queries, please contact the Institute on 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445).

How will I be selected for this course?

  • Individual interview
  • Assessment of application
  • Assessment of application (VTAC)

Length of course

Full time and part time - Up to 3 years (first year is full time and subsequent years are part time)

Where will I study?

Elgar Campus

What costs and other fees should I expect?

For this course, there are two fee structures. Visit the Government Subsidised Place Eligibility page to see if you are eligible for a Government subsidised place.

Government Subsidised Fees

  1. Tuition Fee - $2.17 per hour *
  2. Concession Tuition Fee - $187.50
  3. Service and Amenities Fee - $65.00 or 90.00
  4. Material Fees - contact the Institute

*Annual indicative tuition fee for full-time commencing students, and maximum for continuing students		Fee For Service Fees

Fee for Service - this course will cost $15,180.00 if you aren't eligible for government subsidised training.

If you are an employer seeking training for groups of employees, contact the Institute for a customised package.

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?

Advanced Standing is approved recognition of prior learning that is displayed as an Exemption (EX) on the student’s academic record. 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.

What will I study?

Students must complete 15 core units and 8 electives over 2 - 3 years.

 
Units of Competency

Core
MSL924001A
Process And Interpret Data
70.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the ability to retrieve data, evaluate formulae and perform scientific calculations, present and interpret information in tables and graphs and keep accurate records. The unit requires personnel to solve problems of limited complexity where the information may be less obvious, but not contradictory, and can be determined by direct reasoning.

MSL973004A
Perform Aseptic Techniques
40.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the ability to perform aseptic techniques to maintain the integrity of both the sample source and the sample. It applies to sampling techniques in tissue culture and to generic microbiological procedures.

ACMATE301A
Work Within An Animal Technology Facility
30.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of working effectively within an animal technology facility.

 No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

ACMATE302A
Carry Out Institution Containment And Exclusion Procedures
40.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of carrying out institution containment and exclusion procedures that are designed to exclude pathogenic organisms from entering an aseptic site and to contain organisms in a particular site.

 No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ACMATE303A
Prepare For And Monitor Anaesthesia In Animals
60.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of preparing for and monitoring anaesthesia in animals for non-surgical and tissue collection procedures under supervision and would aim to minimise the pain of an animal during the procedure and/or to minimise the risk to the operator during the procedure.

 Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

ACMATE304A
Conduct Non-Surgical Procedures On Animals
60.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of conducting non-surgical procedures required to administer substances and take tissue and fluid samples for clinical trial project research purposes.

 Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit

ACMATE305A
Conduct Euthanasia Of Research Animals
30.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of euthanasing research animals under supervision. It has been developed specifically for animal technicians working with and caring for animals used within an animal technology biomedical research or production environment for scientific purposes and teaching purposes.

 Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

ACMATE501A
Manage Compliance In Animal Technology
30.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of practising and promoting animal welfare and ethical standards to others in animal technology workplaces and ensuring work practices, documentation and attitudes meet legislative, regulatory and workplace standards.

 No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

ACMATE502A
Manage And Maintain The Health Of Research Animals
80.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the processes of managing the health of animals in a research environment according to the institution's standard operating procedures and relevant codes of practice.

 No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

ACMGAS301A
Maintain And Monitor Animal Health And Wellbeing
50.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of following animal health management practices to monitor animal health via daily observations of behaviour and condition.

ACMGAS302A
Provide Enrichment For Animals
40.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of providing behavioural management and enrichment to stimulate, replenish and maintain appropriate behavioural patterns of animals.

ACMGAS303A
Plan For And Provide Nutritional Requirements For Animals
60.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of calculating rations based on animal species needs and availability of feedstuffs.

ACMGAS304A
Carry Out Simple Breeding Procedures
40.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of planning mating and breeding, parturition or hatching and weaning of animals under supervision.

 No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

ACMOHS501A
Manage Occupational Health And Safety Processes
80.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process required by an individual responsible for ongoing management of occupational health and safety (OHS) within an area of management responsibility, where the OHS management processes have been set up by other persons, either internal or external to the organisation.

 No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

ACMSPE312A
Provide Basic Care Of Rodents And Rabbits
40.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of identifying rodents and rabbits and their behavioural and physical needs, providing daily care requirements, assisting with behavioural requirements and basic preventative health measures.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit in relation to keeping rodents and rabbits. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

Electives Group A
MSL974011A
Prepare Tissue And Cell Cultures
50.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the ability to prepare primary tissue cultures for applications, such as maintenance of animal cell lines and propagation of plants by tissue culture and basic subculture procedures. Personnel are required to manipulate equipment and materials and samples to prevent contamination at all preparation stages. They will have ready access to enterprise procedures and will work under direct supervision. This unit of competency has the following prerequisite: MSL973004A - Perform aseptic techniques.

ACMATE503A
Carry Out Post-Mortem Examination Of a Research Animal
80.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of conducting a post-mortem examination of a research animal for scientific purposes.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

ACMATE504A
Administer Anaesthesia And Perform Surgery On Animals For Scientific Purposes
60.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of preparing personnel, equipment, animals and the facility for anaesthesia and surgical procedures for scientific purposes.

 Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

ACMATE505A
Carry Out Advanced Breeding Procedures
40.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of establishing breeding programs for multiple generation production lines, selecting and preparing animals for breeding and implementing breeding and post-mating procedures.

 Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

ACMSUS301A
Implement And Monitor Environmentally Sustainable Work Practices
40.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process required to analyse the workplace in an effective manner in relation to environmentally sustainable work practices and to implement improvements and monitor their effectiveness.  No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

Electives Group B
MSL973007A
Perform Microscopic Examination
40.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the ability to prepare routine samples and examine them using a light microscope, standard methods and readily available advice. Personnel are required to set up microscopes for optimum resolution and observe, identify and report sample characteristics. The unit covers limited interpretation and analysis of results. Troubleshooting of equipment and procedures is not required.

ACMACR403A
Identify And Respond To Animal Behaviour
60.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of identifying animals and interpreting their body language and behaviour in the context of an animal control and regulation environment during day-to-day activities.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication

ACMSPE310A
Provide Basic Care Of Mammals
40.00 hr

This unit of competency covers the process of identifying mammals and their behavioural and physical needs, providing daily care requirements, assisting with behavioural and basic preventative health measures.

All fees quoted are annual indicative fees and are correct at the time of publishing. The Victorian state government recently announced a series of government funding and fee policy changes for TAFEs. As a result, the advertised tuition fee rates are subject to change, for students commencing their course from 1 July 2012. In subsequent calendar years, fees may be subject to a small increase in line with annual Institute fee pricing reviews. The student tuition fee is indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as student services and amenities fees. This qualification may have prerequisites, co-requisite or bridging units from lower or higher level qualifications. An offer of a place is always subject to places being available. The Institute reserves the right to close applications when the course is full. Where minimum course numbers are not met, the course may be cancelled at short notice. In such instances and only when possible, an alternative option may be suggested for accredited courses. For further clarification please seek advice from the Institute.

Course Enquiries

Local Students
1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445)

International Students
+61 3 9286 9425

Please click here to see the list of courses offered to International students