Nurturing future animal welfare advocates
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), RSPCA NSW helps shape the future of animal welfare by offering both short and nationally accredited training courses. Every year, we mentor hundreds of graduates through our accredited courses alone, showcasing our commitment to guiding animal lovers and future industry professionals alike.
Our RTO has delivered training to a wide range of students over the last 12 years. Our experienced training team have all essential teaching requirements and maintain their skills and currency by actively engaging in animal care work.
Full details of student rights and details of the RSPCA NSW Training Team’s complaints and appeals processes can be found in the RSPCA NSW Training Team Student Handbook.
All training is delivered through our Registered Training Organisation (RTO code 70238).
Our list of nationally accredited courses refers to training that is aligned with nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) standards.
Upon successfully completing an accredited course with RSPCA NSW, students may receive a nationally recognised certificate or statement of attainment. Students undertaking any nationally accredited training course will need a Unique Student Identifier (USI).
For more information about our courses or creating a USI, enquire directly with our team or visit www.usi.gov.au.
This qualification allows students to develop practical animal care skills and gain an in-depth understanding of animal welfare. Students will learn the fundamental skills needed to care for domestic animals and undertake a practical work placement at select RSPCA NSW shelters and adoption centres.
Our comprehensive microchipping course is the perfect resource for animal attendants, veterinary nurses, council rangers, breeders, and those involved in microchipping cats and dogs. This course is delivered either online or in a blended delivery format, and covers topics such as workplace safety, animal health, and post-implantation procedures.
This unit of competency covers the process of providing essential animal first aid, teaching students to recognise and respond to emergencies using basic first aid measures. This course is delivered in a blended format, involving both theoretical learning and face-to-face practical training.
RSPCA NSW short courses are the perfect fit for anyone looking to develop their understanding of animal care and welfare.
Our short courses help students build confidence and proficiency in fundamental animal care skills. Upon successfully completing any of the short courses on offer, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from RSPCA NSW.
Every year, our training team mentors hundreds of participants through our short training courses, empowering animal carers and guardians with both theoretical knowledge and practical animal care and welfare skills.
This short course is the ideal introduction to emergency response and animal first aid. It is available both online and as a practical in-person class. This course is perfect for anyone looking to gain an understanding of animal first aid.
This general interest course will introduce you to the fundamentals of animal welfare. It is the perfect course for anyone hoping to develop their understanding of animal welfare, whether they’re looking to work with animals or simply interested in their care.
This course will provide guidance to those looking to safely introduce enrichment to their beloved animal companion. By covering the benefits of enrichment and giving instruction on its implementation, the course is perfect for dedicated pet owners and industry professionals alike.
This comprehensive general interest course is aimed at providing helpful instruction on how to introduce an animal companion to a new baby. Covering topics like dog body language, noise conditioning, and training, this course is perfect for those who are pregnant or anyone planning a family with pets.
RSPCA NSW rehomes a range of different animals, from dogs, cats, and birds to horses, rabbits, and sheep! We believe that all creatures, great and small, can bring joy to our families and homes. Begin your adoption journey today and make an adorable lifelong friend!
By providing temporary homes for our animals, we can ensure they get the care they need until they are ready to be adopted. Join our network of foster carers for an incredibly rewarding experience; with your help, we can change the lives of some of the state’s most vulnerable animals.
We rely on our generous supporters to continue assisting the thousands of animals turning to RSPCA NSW for help. No matter how small your contribution, every gift makes a lifesaving difference for animals in need.
By raising funds and lending a hand to communities and their pets, our volunteers play a pivotal role in our work throughout NSW. If you have a genuine concern for animals and enjoy meeting like-minded people, consider becoming an RSPCA NSW volunteer today!
In line with RSPCA NSW policy, students must be at least 18 years old to enrol in any of our courses. If you’re under 18 years of age but are looking to apply for a course that commences after you turn 18, you may be allowed to enrol with a parent or guardian’s approval – this is to ensure that we can liaise with an adult in the lead up to the commencement of the course.
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.
Our list of nationally accredited courses refers to training that is aligned with nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) standards.
Our accredited first aid course is delivered as the Unit of Competency ACMGEN309 Provide Basic Animal First Aid. This version of the animal first aid course requires us to assess students’ skills using both theoretical examination and practical assessments. Upon successfully completing this course and its assessments, students will receive a nationally accredited Statement of Attainment in ACMGEN309 Provide Basic Animal First Aid.
Our comprehensive Basic Animal First Aid short course covers similar content and themes taught by its nationally accredited counterpart. However, unlike our nationally accredited courses, our short courses don’t have the same examination requirements. Upon successfully completing any of the short courses on offer, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from RSPCA NSW.
Many of our courses can be completed either online or in a blended delivery format. Online courses are solely taught and delivered in our online platform. Blended courses involve a mixture of online and face-to-face components.
Please refer to our course pages to find out more about our delivery options. You can also contact us via phone at (02) 9782 4478 or via email at training@rspcansw.org.au.
Students are enrolled in their desired short courses as soon as payment has been processed. Please note that enrolments only occur during business hours from Monday to Friday, meaning any payments and registrations made during the weekend will be processed the following week. After being enrolled in a course, students will receive an email correspondence from Learnbook, our learning management system, providing additional instructions for accessing the course.
For our online short courses with set commencement dates, students will receive access to their learning materials on the day the course begins.
To enrol in a RSPCA NSW microchipping course, you must either be currently employed or volunteering in the animal industry or be a dog or cat breeder with a valid NSW Breeder Identification Number. You will also be required to locate a veterinarian to supervise your microchipping implantation of ten live cats and dogs. Veterinarians must be adequately registered and be an authorised microchip identifier.
Please note that RSPCA NSW cannot accommodate students to microchip animals at our facilities.
Additionally, students enrolled to study our microchipping course via online delivery will also need access to the following (or be able to access a workplace with the following):
For more information on course pre-requisites, please refer to our Student Information Sheet or contact us at training@rspcansw.org.au.
You don’t need to reside or work in NSW to participate in our microchipping course. However, it’s important to note that successful completion of our microchipping course does not guarantee that you will be eligible to become an authorised microchip implanter in your preferred state.
Microchipping legislation and the steps necessary to become an authorised microchip implanter differs from state to state. So, while the unit we deliver is nationally recognised, we do not have the authority to apply for an authorised implanter number for students residing or working outside of NSW.
For additional information on applying to our courses from outside NSW, please contact us at training@rspcansw.org.au.
Our comprehensive microchipping course can be completed either online or in a blended delivery format (which involves both online learning and a face-to-face session). Please note that face-to-face training days are only a part of the blended course; pre-course and post-course work and assessments are also required to complete the course.
Microchipping students have a maximum of 28 weeks to complete the course. Students are permitted to complete the course in less than 28 weeks and may request additional time to complete the coursework when required. With time to complete assessments and access to animals for practical experience, it is possible to complete an RSPCA NSW microchipping course within 3-4 weeks.
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.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
