Course Description
Explore the essential practices and principles necessary for ensuring the health and welfare of animals under your care. Learn to apply personal safety and hygiene standards while monitoring and testing indicators of animal health. Gain skills in assessing the physical environment for conditions that may affect animal wellbeing and welfare. Develop proficiency in maintaining detailed records of observations and treatments, including isolation and quarantine protocols when necessary.
Course Outcome
ACMGEN311 – Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing
(Unit Release 1 – 13 Apr 2021)
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow animal health management practices to monitor animal health via daily observations of behaviour and condition. The animals may include a range of species housed long-term or cared for short-term in a workplace.
This unit applies to individuals undertaking animal care activities in small to large scale animal facilities where it may be necessary to care for a range of animal species and to monitor the wellbeing of healthy, ill or injured animals. They work under broad direction, typically in a team environment, and are required to take responsibility for their own work, including carrying out assigned tasks, organising processes, solving routine problems and working to schedules.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Orion Training (RTO Code: 30915) holds Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) approval in every state where our courses are delivered. This is based on our training practices that ensure the safe handling of livestock in accordance with individual state regulations, legislation and standards.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Entry Requirements
There are no pre-requisites for this course however students will need to meet the following entry requirements:
- AQF level II written and spoken English;
- Numeracy skills to meet the Foundation skills required for this unit of competency;
- Completion of a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment;
- General knowledge and practical skills gained through vocational experience in farming; and
- Access to a computer (device) and internet to complete the online training component.
Training Duration and Schedule
Students complete preliminary online learning in their own time and location prior to attendance on-site. The practical component is delivered over several days depending on the facilities and equipment available and specific learning outcomes. Please contact Orion Training for more information on the duration and schedule of the course.
Training Venue and Delivery Mode
Students complete work-related training and assessment activities in an appropriate training facility using a face a face approach with their trainer.
The courses are delivered throughout regions of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Courses may take place at professional facilities where the required facilities and equipment are in place and available.
Student candidates will be offered a place in the nearest course to their locality or in their preferred location. Confirmation of delivery location will be provided via email.
Assessment
To demonstrate competency in this unit, the candidate must provide evidence that they can maintain and monitor the health and wellbeing of a minimum of three different animals and, on each occasion, the individual must have:
- applied work practices for personal safety and personal hygiene standards
- monitored and tested indicators of animal health
- assessed the physical environment of animals for evidence of conditions that may have affected the physical wellbeing and welfare of animals
- maintained records of observations, monitoring activities and samples, including isolation and/or quarantine records where required
- selected, fitted and correctly used personal protective equipment
- administered treatments under supervision.
Training Cost
Course fees are structured based on the facility where the course is delivered. Please contact Orion for more information on fees in your location. Fees will be invoiced in advance and must be paid by the agreed party prior to the commencement of the course. Please refer to Orion Student Handbook for further information about payment terms, refunds and complaints and appeals policies.
Course Materials and Equipment
To complete the preliminary online activities, Students will need access to a computer and reliable internet. On-site training incorporates a comprehensive theoretical component. Orion will provide Students with learning and assessment materials to complete the theory and the written final assessment requirements.
Orion will provide all necessary training facilities and equipment to undertake the mandatory practical training and assessment activities
Ordinarily, Students are not required to provide any materials or equipment in order to undertake training and assessment. However, where a training venue stipulates a need for Students to bring a specific item, Students will be notified prior to the scheduled start date.

