Pet Stylist Academy
Dog Grooming Courses
Three ways in — from a short course to a full qualification
Nationally recognised | Enrol anytime | RTO 41462
Nationally recognised training | Skills Assure Supplier | RTO 41462
Choose your starting point
All three courses are delivered as online theory with hands-on practical training, and you can enrol and start at any time. The short courses stack toward the full qualification, so you can begin small and build up.
Short course
Bather / Brusher Course
Get salon-ready quickly with the practical skills to work as a professional dog bather and brusher.
Up to 12 months
$1,500 — payment plans available
Short course
Dog Grooming Foundation Course
Six units drawn from the Certificate III, covering bathing, drying, brushing and sanitary and cross-breed grooms.
6 units · up to 12 months
$4,000 — payment plans available
ACM30122
Certificate III in Animal Care Services — Pet Grooming
The full nationally recognised qualification and the industry standard for a professional grooming career.
17 units · up to 12 months
$8,000 — Qld funded from $3,240
Compare the three courses
The main differences at a glance, so you can see which one fits where you are now.
| Bather / Brusher | Foundation Course | Certificate III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course fee | $1,500 | $4,000 | $8,000Qld funded from $3,240 |
| What you receive | Statement of Attainment | Statement of Attainment for 6 units | Full nationally recognised qualification |
| Units | Short course | 6 units | 17 units |
| Duration | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months | Up to 12 months |
| Skills covered | Bathing, drying and brushing | Bathing, drying, brushing, sanitary and hygiene grooms, cross-breed grooms | Full grooming skill set plus animal care, behaviour and client service |
| Best suited to | Getting into a salon quickly as a bather or brusher | Building core grooming skills without committing to the full qualification | A professional grooming career, or running your own business |
| Qld funding | — | — | Available to eligible students |
The short courses credit toward the Certificate III, so nothing you complete is wasted if you decide to continue.
Your grooming pathway
You do not have to commit to the full qualification on day one. Each course builds on the last, and the units carry across.
Step 1
Bather / Brusher
Start earning in a salon with the core washing and brushing skills.
Step 2
Foundation Course
Add sanitary, hygiene and cross-breed grooms across six units of the Certificate III.
Step 3
Certificate III
Complete the full qualification — the industry standard for a professional groomer.
7.4 million
Dogs living in Australian homes
27,200
Australians employed as animal attendants and trainers
+1,300
New roles added to the occupation each year
Sources: Animal Medicines Australia, Pets in Australia 2025; Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO 3611, February 2026.
Not sure which one to choose?
Tell us where you are up to and what you would like to do, and we will point you to the right course.
Further reading
Honest guidance from our Principal and International Master Groomer, Emily Myatt.