Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

Selection criteria

This qualification has no formal entry requirements however TAFE Queensland requires the following:

• Year 10 or equivalent.
• If you are under 17 years of age, special enrolment conditions may apply. Please contact TAFE Queensland for further information if this applies to you.
• Students must be physically, emotionally and mentally "fit for practice" for the purpose of vocational placement.

In addition to the above, please note:

• Classroom study offered at either Grovely or Loganlea requires you to have successfully completed a Certificate III in Animal Studies (ACM30110) or equivalent in order to be eligible for this qualification.
• Online study - you must be in paid employment for a minimum of 15 hours per week in a veterinary practice under the supervision of a qualified workplace supervisor (Veterinarian, Veterinary Nurse or Vet Technician).

Placement

If you are not currently employed or volunteering in industry, during your course you will be required to complete vocational placement so you can start practising your new skills in a real-world environment. You’ll be required to work shifts determined by your placement provider, and these can include early mornings or late nights, any day of the week, including public holidays. TAFE Queensland may be able to assist in arranging suitable placements.

Completing placement is compulsory, and you will be expected to manage family and work commitments in order to complete your shifts. You may be expected to travel up to one hour to attend your vocational placement facility and will be responsible for all costs associated with attending that facility. Due to limitations on placement availability, TAFE Queensland cannot guarantee proximity to your location.

You are required to complete 240 hours of placement to satisfy this component of your qualification.

Please note: prior to placement you may need to complete a Criminal History Check (yellow card) and apply for a Blue Card (working with children check). This will be confirmed by your course educator.

If your police check identifies that you have a criminal history, you may be disqualified from being eligible to undertake placement and assessment, which would affect your course outcomes. If you think this might impact you, please speak to the relevant Vocational Placement Coordinator for further information.

You will be responsible for any costs associated with meeting these placement requirements.

Working in certain jobs increases your exposure to some vaccine-preventable diseases. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends the following vaccinations in line with the Queensland Government’s occupational immunisations for veterinary students;

• Rabies
• Q-fever
• Influenza
• Tetanus vaccine

Please note: Vaccination and serology evidence requirements may alter during your studies in accordance with changes to industry requirements and/or Australian Immunisation Guidelines. 

Resources required

It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player. This equipment and software is available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.

You will be provided with a recommended reading list and/or required textbooks during orientation or at the start of each unit. The purchase of these resources may incur additional costs up to the value of $500.00, or you may be able to borrow them from the TAFE Queensland library network.

You may also be required to purchase uniform items including leather work or hiking boots (not steel capped) and TAFE Queensland branded items. These details will be provided after enrolment or during orientation. The purchase of TAFE Queensland branded uniform items may incur additional costs $80.00.

You must have the required Anmial Studies shirt/scrub prior to attending Vocational Placement or you will unable to participate.

Assessment Methods

Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning. Read more about assessment methods.