Open Colleges is the new name for Cengage Education, and is Australia\'s oldest and most respected provider of Online and distance education courses. We deliver over 130 online and distance education courses, including an extensive range of nationally recognised Certificates and Diplomas.  

The Open Colleges difference:

• Nationally accredited: This ensures your qualification is recognised by industry around Australia.
• Start today! Open Colleges courses offer you ultimate flexibility. There is no need to attend classes at a campus or wait for an intake or start date. You can start your course whenever it suits you!
• Study from home at your own pace: You can study from home at your own pace. You can a choose to receive your learning materials by mail or online.
• Benefit from 100 years of history: Open Colleges has been delivering distance education to Australians for more than 100 years. Join over 700,000 Australians who have studied with Open Colleges. Unlike many other institutions, we are specialists in distance learning.
• We help you to succeed: Open Colleges provides you with comprehensive support throughout your studies. From access to ‘OpenSpace’ — our online learning portal — to support from experienced tutors, we help you every step of the way.
• Affordable fees: Open Colleges provides you with a range of different payment plan options. You can pay upfront and get a discount on your fees or you can choose to pay by instalment – including weekly, fortnightly and monthly options.
• Articulation opportunities: Once you have completed this course, you may receive credit if you wish to pursue further education.

The booming pet industry offers plenty of potential for animal lovers to build a rewarding career or even establish their own small business.

Put yourself in the best position to achieve success with the help of this distance learning course. It offers the ideal combination of specialist knowledge and business skills, can be customised to suit your particular needs and incorporates a work placement for building real-world skills and contacts.

Start anytime, study online or by correspondence and progress at your own pace. Unlike classroom-based learning, you can schedule your studies around your employment, which allows you to ‘learn while you earn’. You’ll have access to Open Colleges’ renowned student support throughout and, when you graduate with your nationally recognised qualification, you\'ll have gained a solid foundation from which to pursue a role as a team leader or business owner.

Potential career outcomes: 

• Pet shop/aquarium manager
• Companion animal trainer/behaviourist
• Companion animal breeder
• Companion animal groomer
• Boarding kennel/cattery manager
• Animal shelter supervisor/manager
• Pet-minding and exercise operator
• Mobile hydro-bathing operator

Animal Industries Resource Centre

Known as a one-stop shop for practice development and educational excellence, the Animal Industries Resource Centre (AIRC) has partnered with Open Colleges to offer high quality training in companion animal services and care.