Our industry-leading course meets nationally recognised training standards and is an excellent entry point into the fields of animal management and care. Students will learn the fundamental skills needed to care for domestic animals in addition to undertaking a practical work placement at select RSPCA NSW shelters and adoption centres. This course introduces students to the concepts of animal hygiene, providing basic animal first aid, effective communication, staying safe in an animal-related workplace, and sourcing information about the needs and behaviour of animals.
The course dates listed below are indicative only and may be subject to change. Pricing subject to change for courses starting after 1/7/25. To be notified of when course applications open, please fill out an Expression of Interest Form below.
21 July 2025 – 28 September 2025
29 September 2025 – 7 December 2025
8 December 2025 – 8 March 2026 (3 week break over Christmas/New Year)
Please note that undertaking training through RSPCA NSW does not guarantee an interview for a paid or volunteer position at RSPCA NSW.
By studying with RSPCA NSW, you’ll gain a broad and unique perspective on animal care, behaviour, and health. As a leader in animal welfare for more 150 years, our experienced trainers are industry professionals, committed to improving animals’ lives.
For full details regarding studying with the RSPCA NSW download the RSPCA NSW Student Handbook here.
For detailed information on the Certificate II in Animal Care, please download the information sheet here.
Course duration:
Ten weeks intensive full-time.
Course structure:
This course is a blended delivery mode that encompasses online learning, face-to-face training, and includes practical work placement at one of our RSPCA NSW Shelters. It should be considered a full-time course as students will need to commit significant time to their studies during the 10 weeks.
Please see the proposed timetable for the course here. Please note this is a sample only and slight changes are made to this timetable for each different cohort.
Cost:
This training is subsidised by the NSW Government through Smart and Skilled Funding. The fee for your course enrolment will vary dependant on your eligibility and the availability of funding under this subsidy. You can review your eligibility for funding by visiting the Smart and Skilled Website.
Please note that funding is limited and may not be available to all applicants even if considered eligible. You will be advised of your course fee before commencing studies so that you can determine if you would like to proceed.
Course fees may range between $0 and $1,340 for eligible student under Smart and Skilled funded positions.
For those not eligible, or where funding is not available, or those wishing to enrol as a non-funded student, the full course fee of $3405 is required.
Uniform:
Students are required to wear closed-in shoes, long pants and a sleeved shirt. A student polo shirt will be provided but all other items must be provided by the student.
Work placement locations:
Please check public transport availability for each location as some shelters have limited public transport options available.
Qualification:
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care. This qualification is nationally recognised.
Subjects studied:
Core (Seven)
Compulsory Electives (Five)
There are no education requirements for entry into this course. However, due to RSPCA NSW policy, students must be at least 18 years old, with the appropriate approval to study or work in Australia. Please note that we are not a registered provider for the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), meaning we cannot accept enrolments for those seeking to study with a student visa.
As our work placement will involve animal handling and manual lifting, it’s beneficial to have a reasonable level of physical fitness. Due to the nature of the animal industry, emotional resilience is advantageous. Please note that you must also be immunised against tetanus before enrolling in the course.
Given the online nature of our theoretical learning materials, students require access to a computer or laptop device with a strong internet connection and video calling capabilities.
Please note that undertaking training through RSPCA NSW does not guarantee an interview for a paid or volunteer position at RSPCA NSW.
At RSPCA NSW, animal welfare is at the forefront of all our courses and certifications. By undertaking your animal care studies with RSPCA NSW, you have the chance to gain a unique understanding of animal hygiene, behaviour, and care. Upon successfully completing this course, you’ll receive a nationally recognised qualification or statement of attainment. Through a mixture of theory and practical workplacement you will gain a realistic experience of what it is like to work in an animal care workplace.
Please submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in undertaking the ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care below. Our administrators will contact all interested parties who have submitted an EOI with an email invitation to enrol in the course.
Our team reviews all applications in order of receipt. We may need to contact you for further information in the process of confirming your eligibility to study with us. At this point, we will also determine your eligibility and accessibility to any Smart and Skilled government funding.
Please note that application does not guarantee a position in the course as acceptance is limited by the availability of our work placement locations as well as the number of spots allocated to each course.
Students successful in gaining a place in the course will be contacted to complete an enrolment form and will be provided with an estimated fee for enrolment in the course. Please note that student enrolment fees must be paid at least 2 weeks prior to the commencement of the course. RSPCA NSW does not have formal payment plans for this course but endeavours to open course applications at least 12 weeks before the course begins, giving students time to apply, gather fees, and submit their payment on time.
Please fill out the form below to express your interest in the Certificate ll in animals studies course at RSPCA NSW. This expression of interest is not an application. Once you have submitted an expression of interest form, we will contact you when applications are opened.
By completing this form, you are providing personal information to RSPCA NSW (we, us, or our). We are collecting your personal information to register your interest in our Certificate II in Animal Care and provide you with more information. Supplying your personal information is voluntary, but it may impact our ability to respond to your inquiry if you do not provide it. Further details about how we manage personal information is contained in our Personal Information Collection Notice and Privacy Policy. By submitting this form, you confirm that you have read and agree to the terms of our Personal Information Collection Notice.
Our in-depth course consists of 10 weeks of intensive full-time learning. It is offered in a blended delivery format, a mix of online learning, face-to-face training, and a practical work placement at select RSPCA NSW shelters and adoption centres. Because students will need to commit significant time to their studies over the duration of the course, it should be considered a full-time load.
Upon registration, all students have a maximum of two weeks to pay for their desired course. Payment options include payment via credit card or electronic funds transfer (EFT). If you are an employer registering staff for an RSPCA NSW course, you can opt to receive an invoice when registering.
Please note that while RSPCA NSW training courses are not eligible for VET FEE-HELP, individual courses like Certificate II in Animal Care may be eligible for government funding via the Smart and Skilled program. For more information on Smart and Skilled funding or paying for your course, please contact us via phone at (02) 9782 4478 or via email at training@rspcansw.org.au.
Your ability to study with RSPCA NSW may be impacted by any restrictions (in relation to study) associated with your visa. If you aren’t an Australian Permanent Resident but are seeking to apply for our nationally accredited courses, please contact our training team to confirm your eligibility to study with us.
Furthermore, RSPCA NSW is not registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), meaning our accredited training courses cannot take on individuals using a student visa. For any enquiries relating to enrolment and your visa, contact us via phone at (02) 9782 4478 or via email at training@rspcansw.org.au.
We promise to uphold the highest ethical standards. Your personal information has never been, and never will be sold or traded to other charities. This is our promise to you.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waterways, and particularly acknowledge the vital role animals have played in Indigenous life, stories and culture for tens of thousands of years.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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