Steps to arranging a Work Placement

AACI is flexible regarding the timing and type of practical work placements in Animal Care facilities compared to other RTOs as our Students can enrol in a course at any time. Our Students at the date of enrolment DO NOT need to be working in the Animal Care industry or have a confirmed work placement.

 Students are responsible for ensuring they do not commence a work placement prior to all the necessary approvals and insurance are correctly in place.  In some instances clinics shall arrange approval for a work placement arrangement themselves directly with AACI.

Prior to starting a work placement for Vet Nursing, AACI has an easy 4 step process that ensures all students only commence a work placement is recognised towards their course.  AACI requires the appropriate insurance to be in place to protect the clinic and the student.  If a student is employed by the veterinary clinic, clinic and mentor approval happens during student induction.

Please see the process below which ensures every requirement is met prior to the student starting in the clinic.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all steps are completed, and AACI shall notify the student and clinic when the work placement is good to commence.

The approval process shall normally take a minimum of three to four weeks for Steps 2 to 4 to be arranged and confirmed prior to the commencement of the work placement. However in some instances the approval process is alot faster if all the details are in place.

STEP 1 – Preliminary

AACI students need to complete at least key subjects in their course before they commence their work placement in a real animal care facility.

For Veterinary Nursing students the 2 key subjects are ‘WHS in the Veterinary Clinic’ and ‘Animal Restraint’.  AACI requires student to be aware of the dangers of working in a veterinary clinic and around animals, and have foundation skills and knowledge prior to commencing a work placement.

AACI recommends that students ideally need to complete all the theory assessments for each unit that relates to the work placement prior to starting.  This allows Students to learn the necessary underlying skills and theory that shall see them better prepared to perform their practical assessment tasks during their work placement.

STEP 2 Facility Registration and Approval

All Work Placements must occur in a registered and approved Animal Care facility-clinic.

Approval is achieved by a Clinic completing our online Facility Registration form on the AACI website.

AACI shall assess the responses provided and send an approval letter to both the facility and the student.

Step 3 Mentor Registration and Approval

An approved Animal Care facility-clinics must have Mentors that are also registered and approved by AACI.

Approval is achieved by the Mentor completing our online Mentor Registration form on the AACI website.

AACI shall assess the responses provided and send an approval letter to both the Mentor and the student.

Step 4 Work Placement Insurance

AACI requires the appropriate work placement insurance to be in place to protect the clinic and the student.  If a student is employed by the veterinary clinic, clinic and mentor approval happens during student induction.

AACI provides free insurance for volunteer work placements. This makes it easier for students to secure work placement opportunities in the animal care industry.

AACI highly recommends and supports students wishing to undertake volunteer work placements in the Animal Care facilities. AACI pays your Volunteer Work Insurance, for all students undertaking a work placement in an approved Animal Care facility.

AACI unlike other RTOs, AACI encourages students to secure work placements in a real Animal Care facility rather than perform practical assessment tasks in a simulated environment.

Depending on the course your work placement experience can be performed in an animal shelter, boarding facility, or other approved animal care facility. This workplace experience is necessary to develop the necessary practical skills required to successfully complete your chosen course.

The ACM10121 Certificate I in Animal Care Industry Pathways and ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care courses do not require a minimum number of work placement hours to be performed by a student. However, AACI highly recommends student attain a minimum of 50 hours and 100 hours for these courses to enhance their career opportunities but it is not compulsory.