Certificate IV in
Companion Animal Services

February (Elgar and Lilydale campus) 

July (Elgar Campus only)

Full time: 12 months 

Part time: approximately 2 years (the time taken to complete this course will vary depending on your input)

For information regarding dates such as enrolment, orientation and study breaks please visit the Academic Calendars page. 

This is a blended delivery course which will include a combination of online, remote and face to face delivery. Blended learning can involve a range of online programs and resources including StudentWeb, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Skype, specific industry platforms, pre-recorded sessions, assigned reading, tutorials, discussion boards, and online activities. Blended learning also involves face-to-face attendance at classes or practical placements.

Our companion animal course positions you to apply for a range of employment opportunities in pet retail, pet boarding facilities, retail aquariums, animal rescue centres, animal training facilities and welfare organisations. Our course will also provide you with the foundation skills required for other animal-related industries such as animal technology and veterinary nursing.

You must have:

• successfully completed year 10 or equivalent
• the physical ability to undertake practical work placement in the industry
• supply evidence of your current tetanus vaccination

You will require access to a computer with WIFI capabilities, a microphone and camera to attend remote classes. 

PRE-TRAINING REVIEW

To assist prospective students to determine whether a course is suitable and appropriate for the individual needs, Box Hill Institute will assess all students’ language, literacy and numeracy and digital literacy by asking you to undertake a self-assessment review prior to the enrolment.

A course advisor will discuss the outcomes of the review and make recommendations about whether the course is suitable for you, and identify additional support where required.

VTAC and direct entry

Recognition of Prior Learning is available.

Following successful completion of our animal companion course you can apply to study animal technology or other animal-related courses at a higher level.

This course is government accredited and has national recognition

The qualification is aligned with the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 4

• Government Subsidised Place
• Payment Plan

This training is provided to eligible individuals with funds made available by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments

Retain Course Items are purchased once by the student prior to commencing. Those items then become the property of the student. Fees listed are at 2021 rates and may increase annually over the duration of delivery. The student tuition fees listed are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. For more information please contact our Course Advisors on 1300 BOX HILL.

To complete this qualification, competency must be demonstrated in 13 units (including 3 core units and 10 elective units, with 2 electives specialising in behaviour and training.)