This qualification reflects the skills and knowledge for team leaders, supervisors, and specialist technical roles within an animal care facility, including companion animal, and zoos and wildlife environments.

One core unit changed – ACMGAS202 Participate in workplace communications replaced with FSKOCM002 Engage in short and simple spoken exchanges at work

Elective bank comprising FSK Foundation Skills units added to provide greater guidance and to meet needs of target audience.

Core units reduced from 8 to 7

ACMGAS206 Provide basic first aid for animals updated and level reviewed to indicate Australian Qualification Framework 3 – unit moved to electives.

Changes to units in Elective Groups A and B

The new qualification allows for individuals to complete specialisations in up to two of the following:

• Pet Grooming
• Animal Care
• Customer Service

The new qualification also includes several units that were listed across the existing three qualifications.

Core reduced from 7 units to 6 units – ACMWHS401 Maintain WHS processes replaced with ACMWHS301 Contribute to WHS processes to better reflect work undertaken at this level

General elective bank expanded with new and existing units

ACMACR409 Prepare and present animal control and regulation case (listed in Group A) deleted and replaced with PSPINV (investigations) and PSPREG (regulation) units to provide greater mobility and recognition of skills and knowledge.

Many of the units of Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services that covered the management of animal care business, services and facilities have been removed from the redesigned qualification and are now packaged in two new skill sets:

• Animal Facility Management Skill Set
• Animal Breeder Skill Set

This skill set component codes and titles have been updated as part of the project.

This skill set has been updated as part of the project.

The skill set provides credit towards the new Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Pet Grooming).

The skill set provides credit towards the new Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Pet Grooming).

The skill set also provides credit towards the Certificate IV in Animal Regulation and Management.

The skill set also provides credit towards the Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training.

• ACMNEW3X1 Assess the welfare status of an animal
• ACMNEW3X4 Identify behaviour and interact safely with animals
• ACMCAN311 Care for young animals
• ACMCAS406 Manage companion animal breeding

Advice was sought on whether this new skill set will be taken up by RTOs.

• ACMCAS401 Advise on companion animal industry compliance and practices
• ACMINF401 Oversee site biosecurity and infection controls working with animals
• AHCLSK404 Implement and monitor animal welfare programs
• ACMWHS401 Maintain workplace health and safety processes

Advice was sought on whether this new skill set will be taken up by RTOs.

Targets animal management and environmental health workers in remote communities

Minor changes to terminology for clarity – control removed

Revised PE requirements

Revised Performance Evidence – increased requirements to two animals of different species

Significant changes to reflect workflow and focus – modified to be applicable to broader sectors

Stakeholder advice requested on these changes

Minor changes to performance criteria for clarity and consistency

Additional Knowledge Evidence points

Minor changes to Performance Criteria and Assessment Requirements for clarity and consistency

Minor changes to Performance Criteria and Assessment Requirements for clarity and consistency

Performance Evidence revised

Performance Evidence revised

Targets individuals who plan, develop and implement project initiatives aimed at promoting community engagement and improving outcomes relating to animal management and compliance

Minor edits throughout unit for consistency and clarity

Performance Evidence requirements revised

Assessment Requirements revised

Performance Evidence – changes to volume/frequency requirements revised

Knowledge Evidence – some points deleted as not applicable to all workplaces

Minor changes for consistency and clarity

Stakeholder advice requested: Should this unit be replaced with BSBCMM201 Communicate in the workplace – for improved portability of units?

Some Performance Criteria merged (element 2) and reordered and deleted (element 4)

New Performance Criteria 4.4 on basic first aid added as ACMGAS206 is to be merged with ACMGAS305 at higher level

Performance Evidence revised to address volume/frequency related to tasks rather than specifying a number of hours or days to work in reception – feedback sought on change

Stakeholder advice was requested on whether:

1. This unit should be recoded to Australian Qualification Framework 3?
2. Whether all tours mentioned in Element 3 would include animal involvement and if the element be modified?

Performance Evidence revised in line with change in terminology

Element 2 revised – feedback indicated that the unit was too high for Cert III as most people at this level would not be planning diets for animals.

Revised Performance Evidence – reduced volume/frequency from 4 to 2 animals as breeding some species may be more difficult, time-consuming and difficult to access

Redesigned unit that incorporates the outcomes of ACMGAS206 Provide basic first aid and ACMGAS305 Rescue animals and apply basic first aid

Revised Assessment Requirements – Performance Evidence and additional points in Knowledge Evidence

Covers bathing/washing, drying and brushing domestic dogs with different coat types

Prerequisites removed – delivery advice to be included in Companion Volume Implementation Guide

Changed order of PCs for clarification and to better reflect flow of work

Assessment requirements revised

Performance Evidence – clarification of industry expectations and more detail about coat types and equipment to be assessed

Knowledge Evidence – additional points – grooming equipment and personal protective equipment

grooms for companion animals

Prerequisites removed – delivery advice to be included in Companion Volume Implementation Guide

Minor edits to most Performance Criteria for clarity and consistency

Assessment requirements revised

Performance Evidence – clarification of industry expectations and more detail about types of grooms and equipment

Knowledge Evidence – additional points

Prerequisites removed – delivery advice to be included in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide

Minor edits to many PCs for clarity, consistency and plain English

Assessment requirements revised

Performance Evidence – clarification of industry expectations and more detail about types of grooms and equipment

Knowledge Evidence – additional points

Minor edits to many Performance Criteria for clarity, consistency and plain English

Assessment Requirements revised

Performance Evidence – clarification of industry expectations and more detail about types of grooms and equipment

Knowledge Evidence – additional points

Covers identifying and evaluating the condition of companion animal coat and skin and providing appropriate products and services in consultation with clients/carers.

The Application statement has been updated to reflect that the qualification is a pathway program to further learning or provides skills community involvement or work under direct supervision.

Changes to the core and elective units to strengthen foundation skills.

ACM units coded ACMGAS101, 102 and 103 have been updated.

ACMINF101 Take responsibility for the health and welfare of animals in own care added to the electives

• Packaging rules updated – core units reduced from 8 to 7
• ACMGAS202 Participate in workplace communications proposed to be replaced with BSBCMM201 Communicate in the workplace in the revised Certificate II in Animal Care

Electives:

• Changes to units in Elective Groups A and B
• ACMGAS206 Provide basic first aid for animals updated and level reviewed to indicative AQF3 – unit moved to electives.
• ACMGAS209 Provide information on companion animals, products and services proposed to be merged with ACMGAS208 Source and provide information for animal care needs

Increase in 1 unit (total and core) as a result of ACMINF301 moving to core – this allows individuals to achieve two specialisations.

Packaging rules for Group C changed to: must select:

• ACMCAS302 Provide advice on companion animal selection and general care
• ACMGAS208 Source and provide information on animal care needs
• BSBCUS301 Deliver and monitor a service to customers

Core:

• ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work moved from electives to core

Electives:

Group A (Animal care)

• ACMGAS307 Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work added as an elective

Group B (Pet Grooming)

• Prerequisite units for GRM units updated

Group C (Customer service)

• SITXCCS007 Enhance customer service experiences – deleted
• BSBCUS301 Deliver and monitor a service to customers – added
• BSBCUS402 Address customer needs – added

Group D – addition of finance / small business units:

• BSBFIA301 Maintain financial records
• BSBSMB305 Comply with regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements for the micro business
• BSBSMB421 Manage small business finances

• Core units increased by one
• Elective units decreased by one

Core:

• Confirmed deletion of ACMACR409 Prepare and present animal control and regulation case due to overlap with PSPRERG006 and PSPREG010
• PSPCRT007 Compile and use official notes added to core

This qualification reflects the skills and knowledge for team leaders, supervisors, and specialist technical roles within an animal care facility, including companion animal, and zoos and wildlife environments.

Additional units were added to each specialisation group (companion animal and wildlife/exhibited animal facilities) and the general electives.

Packaging rules updated – total number of units reduced from 18 to 16 (8 core and 8 electives)

Updated titles to some units

Elective group headings updated

List of existing units for horses and dogs reviewed for currency and included in a ‘species-specific’ elective group

ACMGRM2X1 Bath, dry and brush dogs and ACMGRM3X5 Provide sanitary and hygiene grooms for companion animals (previously prerequisite units) removed from the Skill Set

Unit and qualification codes to be updated

Unit and qualification codes to be updated

Unit and qualification codes to be updated

Unit and qualification codes to be updated

• ACMACR406 Carry out animal holding facility procedures
• ACMCAS302 Provide advice on companion animal selection and care
• ACMGAS301 Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing
• ACMGAS302 Provide enrichment for animals
• ACMINF301 Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work
• ACMNEW3X1 Assess the welfare status of an animal
• ACMNEW3X4 Identify behaviours and interact safely with animals

Element 2 reworded to Review and implement relevant animal management legislative and regulatory requirements

Knowledge evidence updated

• 1.2 Identify animal behaviours indicating increased risk of an adverse reaction to capture and handling
• 2.2 Select appropriate equipment and fit or use correctly to restrain the animal
• 2.7 Apply basic changes to containment or behavioural husbandry to address behavioural signs of distress
• 3.1 Ensure vehicle and transport arrangements comply with hygiene and infectious disease control and safe transportation requirements according to regulatory guidelines
• 3.7 Accurately enter and store information, including sex and approximate age of animal, into relevant management system according to legislative and workplace procedures

Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence:

• Terminology changes – low stress added to relevant points; temperament deleted

Knowledge Evidence – new points added:

• Strategies for communicating with owners/carers and/or onlookers
• Environmental conditions, including weather and temperature, that impact on animal welfare during transportation
• Workplace record keeping requirements and overview of types of data collected

Element 3 – reworded to Address unwanted, unusual or maladaptive behaviour

FS – oral communication reworded to include current, best practice terminology

Assessment requirements updated

Knowledge Evidence point added – overview of social issues surrounding pet ownership and caretaking

Minor changes throughout unit

Performance Evidence: updated

Element 4 – PC 4.4 clarified: Prepare animals not discharged, for adoption, transfer or to owners, within a given period to be euthanased according to workplace procedures

Knowledge Evidence points updated relating to low stress handling and best practice approaches in animal holding facility procedures

PC.1.1 reference to data added

New Performance Criteria added:

• 1.2 Explore and identify social issues surrounding pet ownership and caretaking
• 4.3 Review impact of program on department operations

• 2.8 Assist veterinarian or authorised personnel with chemical restraints if requested and if required for the situation
• 3.7 Handle animals appropriately, examine for health and welfare problems and, monitor sedated animals during recovery where required
• 3.8 Dispose of deceased animals appropriately, if required, according to workplace policies and procedures, owner’s request and legislative requirements

Knowledge Evidence – wording modified:

• Awareness of relevant regulatory requirements for use of firearms, capture guns and chemical agents used for sedation or anaesthesia

Modified PC 1.3 to reflect intent of feedback.

New PC 2.4 added

1.3 Explore and identify social issues surrounding pet ownership and caretaking

2.2 Investigate community resources currently available and explore opportunities for collaboration with other organisations to assist with better engagement

Performance Criteria revised and re-organised

Terminology updated throughout unit

Low stress added to PC 5.3, Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence

Catch replaced with approach or secure

Quiet animals replaced with calm animals

Knowledge Evidence – points updated for clarity

Performance Criteria revised and reorganised

Mapping – equivalence reviewed, and the unit considered Not equivalent

Knowledge Evidence reviewed and updated

Terminology – low stress handling added to PC 3.1, Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence.

The SME Working Group considered the suggestion for a level 2 First Aid unit and support the addition of a new PC 4.2 to this unit to address basic first aid at this level.

Terminology – low stress handling added to PC 3.2

Redesigned unit that merges the outcomes of GAS208 and ACMGAS209 Provide information on companion animals, products and services.

Changes to elements and PCs for clarity and for broader use across Animal Care and Management sectors

Note that BSBCUS201 Deliver a service to customers has been added as an elective in the revised Certificate II in Animal Care

• 1.4 Prepare and maintain isolation and quarantine areas in accordance with workplace protocols
• 2.1 Examine the anatomy and physiology of a range of animal species to identify differences in physical appearance and body structure
• 4.3 Store treatments and medications appropriately according to workplace procedures

Knowledge Evidence – minor updates to reflect changes in unit

Element 2 reworded to Assist with preparing an enrichment program

Element 3: PC 3.1 and 3.2 revised for consistency with element 2.

Knowledge Evidence – added – sensory enrichment and cognitive ability of animal species

Terminology: undesirable deleted and low stress added.

Revised PCs to be less ‘scientific’ / technical

2.5 Identify key food groups of animal food or diet

2.7 Document diet plans according to instructions and workplace procedures

Knowledge Evidence – point added:

Key food groups in animal food or diet, including protein, carbohydrate, vitamin and mineral supplement and fibre content (from PC 2.5)

Animal welfare and ethics strengthened throughout the unit in:

Application section, PC 1.3, and Knowledge Evidence

PE added ‘followed animal welfare and ethics requirements relating to breeding animals’.

(Note – Redesigned unit to reduce overlap between ACMGAS206 Provide basic first aid for animals and ACMGAS305 Rescue animals and apply basic first aid. The skills and knowledge required for first aid reflect AQF level 3 outcomes given the problem solving and responsibility involved).

Changes to unit to undertake rather than assist with conditioning

The AQF level was reviewed (reflected in code change) and an element on explaining and demonstrating the conditioning process to others included.

Performance Evidence – added requirement to:

Use at least 2 bathing systems/equipment

ZBath dogs with different coat types

Knowledge Evidence – added bathing systems/equipment

Assessment Criteria – updated to reflect change to Performance Evidence

Revised wording in Application section

Revised PC 4.4

Performance Evidence – types of coats and suitable breeds added

Performance Evidence – wording changed – at least one dog must have special handling requirements – select one from:

Inexperienced or reactive dog (nervous deleted)

Senior dog or dog with restricted movement

Puppy.

Changes to Performance Criteria:

1.4 reworded for clarity

2.1 and 2.5 merged to reduce duplication

Elements 3 and 4 reworded and reordered for clarity

Performance Evidence – nail trimming added

One sanitary/hygiene maintenance groom covering face, feet and sanitary areas and nail trimming or grinding.

Minor revisions to Performance Criteria for clarity

3.4 Remove stains from white or light coloured coats, if required

Performance Evidence – Breeds reviewed

Foundation Skills – duplicated table deleted

Minor wording changes made to use common language/terminology for skin conditions.