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Training Courses

The RSPCA Training Courses program offers high‑quality education for anyone wanting to build skills in animal care, welfare, and safe handling.

Check out our Nationally Accredited courses
RSPCA Training Courses

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), RSPCA NSW helps shape the future of animal welfare by offering both short and nationally accredited training courses. Our range includes RSPCA Nationally Accredited Courses designed for those seeking recognised qualifications, as well as flexible RSPCA Short Courses ideal for beginners or professionals expanding their knowledge.

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).  

Grey cat with an RSPCA employee. Certificate II in Animal Care.

Nationally Accredited Courses

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. 

grey and white cat enjoying the sun. Certificate II in Animal Care.
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care

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. 

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ACMMIC401 Implant Microchip in Cats and Dogs

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.  

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ACMGEN309 Provide Basic Animal First Aid

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. 

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Short Courses

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. 

Basic Animal First Aid

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. 

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Introduction to Animal Welfare

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. 

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Introduction to Animal Enrichment

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. 

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Introducing your Pet to a New Baby

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. 

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What our students say about our courses

I loved this course, I never once thought to work with dogs because in my head you could only do veterinarian work and I did not want to go into that field due to the gore and talking to people about their budget. This course really truly helped me come closer to one of my biggest passions in life. I'd like to thank Adam, Kia and Allison for teaching me more about animal care, through their teaching I actually learned about animals which I didn't think I would learn much in this course. I just took it because I thought it would be fun to work with animals but it wasn't just fun it was also challenging and educating. I will never forget the knowledge that has bestowed upon me so once again thank you.
Overall it was an amazing experience which I highly enjoyed. Would recommend it to anyone who is interested and wants a start in the animal industry
Learnt so much more than I thought I would. Giving me a better understanding of the behaviours of animals. Thank you.
I really enjoyed this course, I'm a visual learner. This course made this possible. Each Part of the learning was straight forward and not complex. They go into enough detail to make you feel confident as an Implanter. I'm really happy with the knowledge and training this module gave me.
Studying at the RSPCA has been an excellent experience. I gained valuable practical skills working with cats and dogs, and the staff were consistently supportive and committed to high standards of animal care. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn in such a caring environment.
The Certificate 2 in Animal Care was a truly fantastic course. Engaging learning material as well as teachers who clearly cared about their students success as well as providing enriching learning experiences relevant to the course work. As well as plenty of support for students with disabilities every individual gets the best chance to succeed. Would recommend this course to anyone wanting to enter the animal industry or even to develop your own education in managing companion animals.
Vaughan M

Ways to Help Animals in Need

Adopt 

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!

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Foster

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.

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Donate

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.

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Volunteer

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!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How old do I have to be to enrol in a course with RSPCA NSW? 

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 animal first aid course is delivered as the Unit of Competency ACMGEN309 Provide Basic Animal First Aid. This course requires us to assess students’ skills using both theoretical examination and practical assessments. Upon successful completion of the 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 as the accredited version. However, our short courses don’t have the same examination requirements as our nationally accredited courses. Students who complete any of the short courses on offer, 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.   

Once your payment has been processed, you’ll be enrolled in your selected course. Please note, enrolments are processed during business hours (Monday to Friday). Payments or registrations made over the weekend will be handled the following week.

After enrolment, you’ll receive an email from Learnbook, our learning management system, with instructions on how to access your course.

For online courses with scheduled start dates such as the Microchipping Online course, students will gain access to their learning materials on the official commencement day of the course.

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): 

  • Microchips 
  • Scanner 
  • Stuffed toy dog or cat 
  • Antiseptic 
  • Microchipping P1A form 
  • Sharps container 
  • Printer 
  • Computer or phone with a web cam or video conferencing capabilities 

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. 

Any person requiring a refund of fees paid must do so in writing in accordance with the refund policy outlined in our Student Handbook here. A $30 administration fee is non-refundable in every case.

Please note, RSPCA NSW may need to cancel, postpone, or reschedule a course due to extraordinary circumstances. If this occurs, the student will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

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