FAQs

Currently, it is not mandatory to be a qualified groomer. However, obtaining a certificate qualification gives you a competitive edge.
A certification from Heiniger Academy sets you apart as a dedicated professional, backed by an industry-leading company in a highly competitive and sought-after market.

Pets hold a privileged place in the hearts of their owners (sometimes loved even more than children)!
Discerning owners will seek the assurance of a certificate qualified groomer in ensuring their pride and joy gets the best care and pampering available.

Heiniger Academy students have 12 months from the date of enrolment to complete the course.
You can obtain your Certificate III in as little as 6 months, depending on how often you are able to groom animals to meet the hands-on practical component.
Training through Heiniger Academy allows you to do block placement, easily facilitating the practical component of the course in a 4 - 5 week training block.
Most candidates will successfully complete the course within 6 - 12 months of enrolment and your student liaison will be there to help support you on your journey.

Absolutely! The course is split into theory and practical components.
The practical component consists of a training block provided by one of our training centres where you will apply all the knowledge and skills you learn by performing grooming services on a variety of dog breeds.

If you are new to the industry and have no previous grooming training. You will need to enrol separately with one of our affiliated training centres to complete the practical training.

Most training centres offer a four to five week program with costs starting from $5,000, where you will complete the practical assessments for the Cert III qualification.

You can find a list of training centres on our website: Training Centres. Please contact them directly for details on dates and fees.

Once you have secured a placement at a training centre, complete your enrolment with Heiniger Academy.

We can use your previous studies for credit transfers or as evidence for a Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) pathway.
Additionally, we offer skills gap training for areas where you may need further experience.

You may apply to take this course overseas, provided you can meet the welfare and industry standards required in Australia.
However, we do not currently offer the course through CRICOS and are unable to provide training for international students in Australia.

Currently, this course is not eligible for government funding. However, your employer may be able to sponsor you.
We also offer a range of payment plans to help ease the upfront cost.

RPL requires you to provide evidence and documentation that you have personally created, including training materials for team members, operational procedures, WHS compliance, workplace documentation, and proof of at least four years of grooming experience (not including bathing/prep work).
The process typically takes between 3 to 6 months, depending on your prior experience and the documentation provided.

A USI is your individual education number for life. It also gives you an online record of your vocational education and training (VET) undertaken in Australia.
If you're at university, TAFE or doing other nationally recognised training, you need a USI. Without one, you can't get Commonwealth financial assistance or your qualification or statement of attainment.

For any questions or inquiries about your online learning modules, please contact your student liaison first.
They will be your primary point of contact for all matters related to Heiniger Academy. There is also a bi-monthly Q&A night held on an evening for further student support.

You will have the opportunity to retake your assessments for an additional fee after gaining further experience.
If you do not pass, your student liaison will discuss your options with you.

New training centres are always welcome at Heiniger Academy.

To be eligible, our trainers must hold a Certificate in Pet Grooming, and while a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is desirable, it’s not mandatory.
We work with both qualified and non-qualified trainers.
For non-qualified trainers, additional student evidence is required for competency assessment, including more detailed entries in the Grooming Diary and supplementary documentation, such as a third-party demonstration and observation checklist.

Please e-mail academy@heiniger.com.au to discuss your options.

For full details on our refund policy, please visit our terms & refunds page here.

Yes. As part of the performance criteria, students are required to complete a series of different role-play recordings and upload these as evidence. The detailed requirements for each role play are outlined within the assessment instructions.

We will accept role plays recorded in a variety of formats (e.g., video conferencing recordings, in-person recordings, or simulated environments) as long as they meet the assessment criteria.

The Grooming Diary is your portfolio of work, completed as part of the Practical Training element of your course.

If you are new to the industry, the Training Centre will guide you in capturing the required images and video footage to meet the assessment requirements.
If you are an existing groomer, you can use the dogs you currently groom as evidence.

A full list of required coat types and other criteria is provided in the Student Handbook and in your assessments. Your Student Liaison is also available to answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on completing your Grooming Diary.

Theory Component
The Theory Component is delivered online by Heiniger Academy through our Learning Management System (LMS). This includes access to all course learning materials and the assessments for each unit.

Practical Component – Important Information
Heiniger Academy provides Assessment-Only services for the ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Pet Grooming). This means we assess the knowledge and skills required to meet national standards, but we do not deliver the practical (hands-on) training component of the course.

If you already have grooming experience and access to a suitable grooming environment, you may be able to complete the course by providing sufficient practical evidence through our assessment process, referred to as the Grooming Diary.

However, if you do not have prior grooming experience or access to a suitable workplace, you will need to enrol in a practical course with one of our approved independent third-party training providers. This will allow you to gain the hands-on skills and complete the Grooming Diary requirements, which form a key part of the course assessment.

Please note:

• The Practical Component is not included in your course fees with Heiniger Academy.
• Practical training is arranged directly through the external training provider, and additional fees apply — generally ranging from $5,000 to $12,000, depending on the provider.
• We strongly recommend contacting your chosen provider directly to confirm all costs, inclusions, and payment details.

If you’re unsure whether you need practical training, please speak with us prior to enrolment to discuss your individual circumstances.