Australian Qualifications

The Working Animals Federation of Australia (WAFA) is committed to setting and upholding the highest standards in animal training, welfare, and service delivery. As part of this commitment, all WAFA members must hold relevant qualifications prior to enrolling into WAFA credentials.

What is a Qualification?

In Australia, a qualification is a formal certification that confirms someone has successfully completed an accredited course or training program. All qualifications must meet the standards of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)—the national system that ensures consistency and quality in education and training.

What is the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)?

The AQF classifies qualifications based on their complexity and depth of learning, ensuring consistency and quality across education and training in Australia, helping learners, employers, and industry to understand the level of knowledge and skills a qualification represents.

The AQF has 10 levels, with each level describing the learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills, and application. For example, the difference between Certificate III Dog Training and Behaviour (22542VIC) and Certificate IV Animal Behaviour and Training (ACM40322) is shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Comparison of Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Levels.
Source: https://www.aqf.edu.au/framework/aqf-levels

AQF Criteria
                               Level 3 (Certificate III)                                      Level 4 (Certificate IV)
Summary Graduates at this level will have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for work and/or further learning. Graduates at this level will have theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for specialised and/or skilled work and/or further learning.
Knowledge Graduates at this level will have factual, technical, procedural and some theoretical knowledge of a specific area of work and learning. Graduates at this level will have broad factual, technical and some theoretical knowledge of a specific area or a broad field of work and learning.
Skills Graduates at this level will have a range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply a specialised range of methods, tools, materials and information to:
  • complete routine activities
  • provide and transmit solutions to predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems
 Graduates at this level will have a broad range of cognitive, technical and communication skills to select and apply a range of methods, tools, materials and information to:
  • complete routine and non-routine activities
  • provide and transmit solutions to a variety of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems
Application of Knowledge and Skills Graduates at this level will apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy and judgement and to take limited responsibility in known and stable contexts within established parameters. Graduates at this level will apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, judgement and limited responsibility in known or changing contexts and within established parameters.
The Certificate III focuses on developing basic practical skills and knowledge for competent work under supervision, whereas the Certificate IV builds on this by developing specialised knowledge, problem-solving skills, and more autonomy in applying skills. Graduates of Certificate IV are expected to work independently in a range of contexts and solve complex problems. As such, the WAFA requires Certificate IV as a pre-requisite for enrolling into the Assistance Animal Trainer Credential.

Why This Matters for WAFA Members

The AQF levels help ensure that trainers and behaviour specialists have the right depth of knowledge and skills for their roles. While a Certificate III provides foundational training, the Certificate IV qualifies individuals to handle more complex behavioural challenges and work independently—key skills when training working animals like assistance dogs.

WAFA supports members gaining at least a Certificate IV level credential to ensure high standards of animal welfare, professionalism, and effective support for clients.

What is a Qualification?

To be recognised as a formal qualification, a course must be regulated by the:
  • Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) which oversees vocational education and training (VET), e.g. Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training
  • Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) which oversees higher education providers (universities and tertiary institutions), e.g. Bachelor of Health Science (Disability Studies)
Accredited courses are regularly monitored and reviewed to ensure they provide up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge and skills. This guarantees that learners receive a reliable and respected education. They are also nationally recognised and respected by employers, government agencies, and industry bodies. This recognition improves career prospects and credibility. Accreditation protects students from substandard or misleading training providers, ensuring transparency and accountability in course delivery. Any course that is not accredited by ASQA or TEQSA is not considered a formal qualification under Australian law. Unaccredited courses, workshops, and educational programs are known as Continuing Professional Development (CPD). WAFA has elected to require all credential applicants to hold at least one relevant qualification before progressing to WAFA Credential status. This ensures that every credentialed member has:
  • A verified foundation of knowledge and skill.
  • A clear understanding of animal welfare, human rights, and public safety.
  • Training that meets national quality standards.
  • A pathway for further learning and development.
For example, prior to enrolling in the WAFA Assistance Animal Trainer Credential, individuals must first complete a Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training. WAFA Credentials are not formal qualifications. Instead, they are industry-recognised endorsements issued by WAFA that reflect a member’s applied skills, ethical conduct, sector-specific knowledge, and commitment to best practice. WAFA Credentials are built on top of formal qualifications and supported by CPD, which is the ongoing process by which professionals maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills. It’s essential in a dynamic field where new research, laws, and best practices are constantly emerging. For example, prior to enrolling in the WAFA Assistance Animal Trainer Credential, individuals must first complete a Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training.  WAFA Credentials are not formal qualifications. Instead, they are industry-recognised endorsements issued by WAFA that reflect a member’s applied skills, ethical conduct, sector-specific knowledge, and commitment to best practice. WAFA Credentials are built on top of formal qualifications and supported by CPD which is the  ongoing process by which professionals maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills. It’s essential in a dynamic field where new research, laws, and best practices are constantly emerging.

Why It Matters

Holding an accredited qualification and participating in ongoing CPD ensures:

  • Better outcomes for both animals and humans.
  • Higher safety standards for vulnerable clients.
  • More informed, ethical decisions by handlers and trainers.
  • Greater recognition and trust from employers, clients, and regulators.
  • Stronger pathways for professional growth and career advancement.

WAFA is committed to ensuring all professionals in the working animal sector are qualified, credentialed, and continually developing. By requiring a base qualification and ongoing CPD, we’re building a sector grounded in safety, science, ethics, and respect—for both animals and people.

Remember: If it’s not accredited by ASQA or TEQSA, it’s not a qualification—it’s CPD.