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Animal care courses starting at $25.81
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Animal care courses online
Get your career in animal care off to a flying start with a handy online course.
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From house-trained dogs and cats to wild snakes and koalas, there's an endless list of animals in Australia that need to be looked after and cared for. If you're an animal lover and keen to build a career around them, you can get started right now with an online course in animal care. Take a look at our selection of short courses and certificates that you can complete from your couch.
What animal care courses are available to study online?
Certificates
If you want formal qualifications, Certificates are a great place to start. You'll likely need one of these if you want to work in a veterinary clinic or as an animal attendant. Education institutes offer a range of certificates in animal studies and veterinary nursing that might interest you. With the hands-on nature of these topics, many of these courses operate on-campus. Dive into just a few of them below.
| Course | Information | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate III in Animal Studies | About the course: This nationally recognised Certificate III in Animal Studies helps you work towards an assistant or sole business owner in the animal services industry. With a mix of theory and practical work, you'll be on the way to becoming an animal carer, animal control and regulation assistant, pet shop assistant, animal attendant, or animal welfare officer. Subject areas: Animal care hygiene, maintain and monitor animal health, animal nutrition, infection control, participating in environmentally sustainable work practices, plus more. Course length: 1 year - 25 hours per week Mode of delivery: Online Location: Australia-wide | |
| Certificate III in Animal Studies | About the course: This is a pathway into a veterinary nursing career or other animal care roles. The course is nationally recognised, and you can enrol anytime. Subject areas: You'll learn how to work in a clinic environment, how to carry out non-surgical routines, planning and providing animal nutrition, animal health, hygiene and wellbeing, understanding animal behaviour, basic care requirements and equine health. Mode of delivery: In-person/Online Location: Victoria | |
| Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing | About the course: This Veterinary Nursing course is for people who already hold a Certificate II or III in Animal Studies or Companion Animal Services, or hold a relevant higher level qualification in animal science. You'll need access to patients (animals), clients, medical and surgical cases and veterinary staff, so it might be best suited for those who already have roles in a veterinary clinic. This course is eligible for JobTrainer in 2021. Course length: 18 months full-time (1-2 days per week) Mode of delivery: In-person/Online Location: Victoria |
Short courses
Short courses are perfect for pet owners wondering how they can improve their handling skills, or working professionals looking to improve their knowledge.
| Course | Information | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Natural and Holistic Pet Care | Course length: 1.5 hours Subject areas: Bio-resonance therapy, Animal vaccines, Natural remedies, Chemical pest control, Spaying and neutering | |
| Pet CPR (advanced) | Course length: 1 hour Subject areas: Managing first aid scenarios, Pet first aid kit, Pet CPR | |
| Dog Health and First Aid | Course length: 2 hours Subject areas: Performing a clinical exam, Signs of pain, Shock and internal bleeding, Approaches to wounds, Common health conditions, Bandaging, Toxins, Seizures | |
| Holistic Pet Bird Care | Course length: 1.5 hours Subject areas: Avian nutrition, Bird health, Training and behaviour, Foraging and enrichment, Bird anatomy, Home environment | |
| Animal Welfare 101 | Course length: 2 hours Subject areas: Amphibian husbandry, Aquatic husbandry, Cat husbandry, Dog husbandry, Husbandry for insects, Microscopic husbandry, Reptiles | |
| Dog Massage Training Course | Course length: 2 hours Subject areas: Benefits of animal massaging, Massage sequences, Sports massages, Kneading and stretching, Post-event massage, Timing | |
| Health and Care Tips for Cat Owners | Course length: 2 hours Subject areas: Cat breeds, Cat-friendly home furnishings, Training cats, Feeding cats, Caring for cats, Looking after older cats |
Online certificates
If you're keen to pursue a career in animal care, gaining a certificate can be a great place to start. With a nationally recognised qualification on your CV, a certificate in animal care may help you to get that dream job or start working towards a bachelor's degree.
| Course | Information | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Care Certificate | Course length: 10-15 weeks of self-paced study Subject areas: Animal healthcare, Occupational health and safety, Signs of poor health, Common diseases, Pet selection, Dogs, Cats, Reptiles and amphibians, Fish |
|
| Animal Care Advanced Certificate | Course length: 15-20 weeks Subject areas: Animal healthcare, Signs of ill health, Administration of animal health, First aid and preventative care, Rehabilitation care, Genetics and behaviour, Animal perception, Social behaviour learning, Handling animals, Animal grooming, Dog psychology, Aviculture, Aquarium keeping, Domestic cat care | |
| Vet Assistant Certificate | Course length: 15-20 weeks of self-paced study Subject areas: Animal healthcare, Occupational health and safety, Signs of poor health, Common diseases, Bacterial diseases, Fungal diseases, Parasitological conditions, Metabolic and nutritional conditions | |
| Vet Assistant Advanced Certificate | Course length: 290 hours of self-paced study Subject areas: Introduction to pet care, Basic care for cats, dogs, freshwater fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents and rabbits, Dog grooming, Common health issues in domestic pets, Basic first aid for animals, Routine health care, Rehabilitation of domestic animals, Common problems in farm animals, Safety in veterinary services, Animal diseases |
|
| Animal Welfare Certificate | Course length: 15-20 weeks of self-paced study Subject areas: Animal healthcare, Occupational health and safety, Signs of poor health, Common diseases, Theories and models, Animal behaviour, Health indicators |
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| Animal Welfare Advanced Certificate | Course length: 15-20 weeks of self-paced study Subject areas: Animal healthcare, Animal welfare, Common health problems, Signs of ill health, First aid and preventative care, Routine treatments, Rehabilitation care, Animal psychology, Animal protection services, Animals in sport, Farm animals, Feed and nutrition, Natural health care | |
| Bird Care Certificate | Course length: 15-20 weeks of self-paced study Subject areas: Bird care, Breeds, Housing birds, Feed and nutrition | |
| Dog Care and Dog Training Certificate | Course length: 15-20 weeks of self-paced study Subject areas: Canine biology, Dog health, Dog breeds, Training and breeding dogs | |
| Veterinary Assistant and Welfare Course Bundle | Course length: 360 hours of self-paced study Subject areas: Pet care for domestic animals, Dog grooming, Common health issues, Animal behaviour, Basic first aid for animals, Routine health care, Animal diseases, Animal welfare, Animal conservation |
|
| Essential Animal First Aid Certificate | Course length: 50 hours of self-paced study Subject areas: Common health issues in domestic pets, Basic first aid for animals, Routine health care, Rehabilitation of domestic animals, Maintaining and monitoring animal health |
|
| Dog Grooming Certificate | Course length: 20-25 weeks of self-paced study Subject areas: Canine classification, Canine anatomy, products, Tools and maintenance, Coat types, Clipping | |
| Certificate III in Pet Grooming (blended learning) | Course length: 6 months Subject areas: Providing grooming services, Hydro-bathing, Animal care Hygiene routines, Basic first aid, Different coat types | |
| Pet Sitting Certificate | Course length: 3.5 hours Subject areas: Health and safety, Pet sitting, Pet transport, Animal handling, Dog care, Cat care, Small mammal care, Caring for reptiles, birds and fish, Pet welfare |
Diplomas and bachelor's
You can't get a diploma or bachelor's degree in animal care online, but you will find plenty of courses for campus-based learning at institutions such as:
- The University of Melbourne
- Charles Sturt University
- University of New England
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Deakin University
- University of Western Australia
- Western Sydney University
- Murdoch University
Where can I find animal care courses online?
Who should take an online animal care course?
An online animal care course is ideal for anyone with an interest in becoming anything from a pet owner to a fully-qualified veterinarian. While the short courses are great for the casual learner, completing a certification is geared toward those hoping to pursue a career in animal care.
If you are looking to work with animals on a professional level, gaining a certificate in animal care is the first step to take. With a certificate, you're qualified to work in positions such as a veterinary assistant, dog groomer, dog walker or pet shop assistant. A certificate can also be a great foundation course for further education and can even improve your eligibility when applying for a university course.
What topics may be covered in an online animal care course?
Online animal care courses cover a broad spectrum of topics, which include the following:
- Animal healthcare
- Animal behaviour
- Signs of ill health in animals
- Genetics and behaviour
- Veterinary facilities
- Safety procedures
- Social behaviour learning
- Administration of animal health
- First aid and preventative health care
- Routine treatments
- Health problems in house pets
- Handling animals
- Animal grooming
- Rehabilitation care
- Dog care and dog psychology
- Poultry keeping
- Pet care
- Aviculture
- Aquarium keeping
- Domestic cat care
How long does an online animal care course take to complete?
Most animal care courses are based on self-paced study, which means you'll usually have up to a year to complete all of the necessary modules. Most students complete animal care certificates within 15 to 20 weeks. However, this depends on how much time you have to dedicate to your studies.
What are the career opportunities after taking an animal care course?
A career in animal care opens up a wealth of opportunities. Here are just a few to have in mind:
- Animal breeder
- Dog walker
- Animal groomer
- Veterinarian nurse
- Veterinarian assistant
- Zookeeper
- Animal welfare officer
- Animal carer
- Pet shop assistant
- Zoo assistant
- Wildlife park worker
- Farm worker
- Animal fostering
- Animal trainer
- Work in wildlife reserves and parks
- Animal research
- Work in animal refuges
What equipment and software will I need?
To complete an animal care course online, you'll simply need a laptop or computer and a stable Internet connection. Some courses may require specific textbooks and access to video conferencing software such as Zoom, Google Hangouts or Skype.
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