HomeCoursesAnimal careCertificate III
Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Animal Care Services
This qualification prepares you to look after animals in places like boarding kennels, day care, shelters, breeding facilities and grooming salons, and to handle the day to day running of those settings.
- How long it takes
- 4 to 18 months
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $1,400
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $12,581
- How you can study
- Online or on campus
- Main job
- Animal Attendant
- $66,400 median pay
- Taught by
- 19 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Animal Care Services asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- a genuine interest in animals and their wellbeing
- patience and a calm manner around animals
- good communication skills with clients and team members
- a willingness to follow safety and hygiene procedures
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Where this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Animal Attendant
Animal attendants carry out the daily feeding, cleaning and health watching that animals in shelters, vet clinics, kennels and wildlife parks depend on.
What else you need
A higher entry route for kennel, cattery and shelter work. Employers set their own requirements, so check the provider.
Median pay$66,400
If you study further
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $1,400
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$8,215 to $12,581
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,400 | $240 | $10,760 | 4 to 18 months |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $3,919 | $784 | $12,581 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $3,097 | $616 | $11,567 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $4,305 | $3,455 | $8,215 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $1,400
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $10,760
- How long
- 4 to 18 months
GOTAFEVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,919
- Concession
- $784
- Full fee
- $12,581
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,097
- Concession
- $616
- Full fee
- $11,567
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $4,305
- Concession
- $3,455
- Full fee
- $8,215
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 19 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Website for Melbourne Polytechnic (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
13 campuses, VIC
3.7from 485 Google reviews
What students like
- Some teachers are supportive and go out of their way
- Student services offer understanding and compassion
What to weigh up
- Messages to staff can go unanswered
- Enrolment mistakes can take time to fix
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
16 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- How long
- 4 to 18 months
- Fee
- From $1,400 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
8 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- Fee
- From $4,305 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
- Website for Alffie (opens in a new tab)
Alffie
2 campuses, VIC
2.7from 84 Google reviews
What to weigh up
- Staff can be slow to reply
- Course materials can contain errors
- Website for Box Hill Institute (opens in a new tab)
Box Hill Institute
4 campuses, VIC
3.0from 372 Google reviews
What students like
- Teachers are friendly and supportive
- Course content is practical and relevant
What to weigh up
- Admin replies can be slow
- Course organisation can be inconsistent
- Course page for The Gordon (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
2 campuses, VIC
4.0from 168 Google reviews
- Fee
- From $3,097 subsidised
What students like
- Teaching staff are supportive and highly professional
- Staff are friendly and helpful
What to weigh up
- Courses can feel loosely organised
What you’ll learn
17 units: 7 that everyone takes and 10 you choose.
- Reading animal behaviour
- Safe animal handling
- Checking animal welfare
- Basic animal first aid
- Talking with clients and owners
- Infection control and workplace safety
See all 7 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It prepares you to look after animals in boarding kennels, day care, shelters, breeding facilities and grooming salons. You perform animal care tasks under broad direction, using discretion and judgement in handling animals.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.