Study at Bonorong’s Certificate II and III in Animal Care
Looking for a career working with animals and interested in quality practical enjoyable training?
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary has been delivering nationally accredited animal care courses for over ten years. We partner with our Registered Training Organisation partner Link Education (RTO 60154), to deliver our nationally accredited certificate animal care courses
Our focus is to provide stimulating positive student experiences that include work placement time within Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. It will be the most intense, sweaty, fun-filled and satisfying time of your life. Do not expect to be cuddling furry animals all day! Wildlife keeping is a fulfilling, strenuous and diverse job and Bonorong is a hive of activity. We work very hard and will expect the same of you. This way we can make sure you get the most out of studying and learning with us.
Why do we offer Animal Care courses? It is important to us that there is a growing, professional, knowledgeable skilled workforce that has a practical understanding of the provision of quality animal welfare in animal/wildlife related roles.
We have now opened for applications our Certificate II and Certificate III courses. You will have an opportunity to learn a wide range of skills and build knowledge in areas such as:
General animal care (for example; the provision of food, water and shelter for a range of animals);
How to safely undertake the rescue and safe handling of injured native wildlife;
What is involved in the daily care of animals;
Researching and providing information on animal products and services such as enclosure design, health issues and nutrition;
Exhibit design, enrichment and renovations designed to meet species specific welfare requirements;
Assisting with the administering of medication and the delivery of treatment plans all undertaken under careful supervision;
The most appropriate way to handle animals that ensures the maximum animal welfare;
A focus on self-care and positive wellbeing in the animal care workplaces; and
Specialist subject matters relevant to the animal care industry taught by invited guests with specialist knowledge.
OUTCOMES AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Completion of Certificates in Animal Care through Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Link Education may offer you a career pathway in a wide range of animal based service organisations, providing you with an entry point into the following employment or volunteer opportunities:
Veterinary Nurse
Animal Attendant
Animal Technical Officer
Wildlife Rehabilitator
Zookeeper or Wildlife Keeper
Animal Rescue, Animal Control and Regulation
The Companion Service Industry
Tourism roles such as guided nature or wildlife talks/walks
Government or Non Government Organisations related roles which are based on conservation and species recovery
Animal based service businesses
Animal shelters
COURSE OVERVIEW
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care – This is an intensive 20 week course full of supervised sanctuary based activities and animal care theory. Students will develop the knowledge and skills to undertake quality animal husbandry and animal care. A perfect introduction into the animal care sector providing insight and connection with wildlife delivered within a fast paced operating sanctuary.
ACM30321 Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care – Cert III is focused on applying the knowledge you have developed in Cert II. This course is conducted over 30 weeks with on-site activities within the Sanctuary. Theory includes animal welfare, enrichment, exhibit design, animal health and treatments, communication skills, sustainability and infection control. All delivered via hands-on tasks which help the students understand the level of care required for native wildlife and exhibited animals.
The courses will follow the standard school term calendar and is nationally recognised by, and aligned with, the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
ready to apply?
Have decided that the Certificate in Animal Care is right for you?
We are only accepting applications for Cert II at this time.
You can now apply now for the Cert II 2025 intake by filling in the information here. If you have previously applied, there is no need to apply again.
Application deadline: Wednesday 1st January 2025.
Prospective students should highlight in their application their area of interest in animal care (i.e. domestics, exotics, native wildlife care) and any prior experience/qualifications relevant to animal care.
Interviews will be conducted in January 2025 and the course will begin in February 2025.
Term 1: Wednesday 12th February - Wednesday 16th April
Term 2: Wednesday 30th April - Wednesday 2nd July
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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If this is your primary motivation for undertaking this course of study you may be disappointed to learn that working with animals involves much to ensure they are safe, healthy, fed and stimulated and not a lot to do with sitting and cuddling animals.
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The course consists of two face to face on site days (a theory day and placement day) and a minimum of 8 – 10 hours per week of self-directed study in your own time and premises.
In 2024, Certlficate II classes will have a theory day on Wednesday each week, and Thursday for Certificate III.
Your second day per week will be a placement/practical day within Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. Weekend days will be an option as well as weekdays (except your theory day). Preferences again will be taken for placement days but your preference, and what works with numbers to ensure the best placement day experiences for students, may result in you not getting your preference.
In addition to the theory day and placement day, students are expected to commit up to an additional 8 – 10 hours each week for self-directed study in their own time - writing up class notes, work placement journals and completing research and assessment tasks.
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The theory days run between 9am to 4pm onsite at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. They are delivered in a classroom style setting with a teacher. These theory days will include knowledge sessions to develop your understanding of key animal care practices. Our theory days incorporate some interesting hands on animal related activities that give students the chance to apply the knowledge they have learnt.
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Placement days are worked alongside Bonorong staff. You will learn husbandry skills and complete the tasks required to complete the accredited courses. Students undertake an amazing variety of tasks that will involve working in and around animal enclosures. Tasks can include completing the enclosure cleaning and animal care routines for a variety of animals, participating in the daily enrichment program and daily health program for a variety of animals. Health program tasks include cleaning, raking, sourcing native grasses and plants for animal diets.
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The practical nature of this course is very important to highlight. The placement days are very physical. The types of physical tasks that students would undertake include picking up and carrying buckets of feed and water that could weigh up to 10kgs, pushing wheelbarrows up hills, walking on uneven ground, raking on slopes, and climbing over small walls. We will teach you safe manual handling techniques so that these types of jobs can still be completed each day.
Wildlife keeping is a strenuous and diverse job and Bonorong is a hive of activity. We work very hard and will expect the same of you.
Please contact us via email study@bonorong.com.au if you have any questions regarding the physical nature of the course.
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You will need to be motivated and task focused to complete the certificate in the timeframe the course is delivered in. Self-directed study is conducted in your own time and premises, and will include completing your written assessment questions, writing out your notes and researching for assignments. Self directed study requires discipline and an efficient use of your time. The minimum time students should schedule for self directed study is 8 – 10 hours per week.
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If you think that you might have some RPL that that is relevant and would meet the subject requirements, you must mention this at your interview.
RPL applications will need to be carefully documented and reviewed and meet all the course criteria, these applications will be on a case-by-case basis. There will be a fee for an RPL assessment.
Students would need to provide current valid evidence with their application. These courses sit under the newest release of nationally accredited qualifications. Previous study may not completely align due to the unit updates. Work experience and short courses typically do not meet full course requirements.
If you have queries around RPL, please contact study@bonorong.com.au.
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Buses are not a viable option to travel out to Bonorong. Ideally you must have access to a car or someone who can drop you out at Bonorong each day that you are required to be there. In the past we have had students car pool with each other. However if they are unwell or can’t make it you also miss out on that day.
With a high content of delivery each week, missing a day may result in you falling behind. You must have your own way organised to get to Bonorong each day. A lot of the case studies and medication treatment plans are conducted first thing in the morning so it is vital that students arrive on time to participate in these.
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Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care (ACM20121) $6000
Certificate II in Animal Care (ACM30321) : $3850
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All course handouts will be provided to the student.
Students don’t have a specific uniform, however will be required to wear shoes appropriate for uneven ground and neat clothing suitable to be outside, suitable for working with animals and suitable for a high volume tourism business. It is preferred that jewellery not be worn and we hold the right to ask you to remove any jewellery we deem inappropriate or dangerous (birds could pull out etc).
For your safety, it is also essential that you wear walking/work boots, with a good tread.
Students are also required to wear long trousers and pack suitable clothing for all weather types each day.
If you have your own laptop, students may like to bring these to theory days.
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Course duration is usually over 2 school terms. See below dates for the upcoming course:
Cert III – 30 weeks total
Term 1 Week of 22nd July 2024 to Week of (and including) 23rd September 2024 (10 weeks)
Term break: week of 30th September 2024 to Week of (and including) 7th October 2024
Term 2 Week of 14th October 2024 to Week of (and including) 14th December 2024 (10 weeks)
Term Break: 23rd December 2024 to week of (and including) 3rd February 2025
Term 3: week of 10th February 2025 to week of (and including) 7th April 2025 (10 weeks)
Cert II (2024 group) – 20 weeks total
Term 1 Week of 22nd July 2024 to Week of (and including) 23rd September 2024
Term break: week of 30th September 2024 to Week of (and including) 7th October 2024
Term 2 Week of 14th October 2024 to Week of (and including) 14th December 2024
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Students need to be at least 18 years of age and not attending full time school or working full time.
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No. Students will be selected based on the application process.
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Yes! Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is in partnership with a Registered Training Organisation called Link Education RTO 60154 to deliver this nationally accredited course.
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We operate a high volume visitor facility and we want to ensure the safest environment for our staff, students and visitors. We will follow current health directives.
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International students must evidence vocational English as per the Australian government standard for skilled migration. Students need to independently prepare for and obtain this standard.
International students must also have the right to study in Australia under the conditions of their visa. We are not authorised to support visa applications for international students.
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Yes! We offer a payment plan for students who cannot offer the fees up front. Final payment of any outstanding fees is required before a certificate can be issued. Please contact us at study@bonorong.com.au to discuss your options.
HOW DO I GET FURTHER INFORMATION?
We encourage you to keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for any further developments or alternatively feel free to email study@bonorong.com.au if you would like receive information on the new courses.
