Entry requirements

Entry into this qualification is open to individuals who:

• hold a Certificate II in Animal Studies

OR

• hold a relevant Certificate III or higher level qualification in an animal science discipline

OR

• can demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge in a relevant animal science discipline to any of the above qualifications.

Selection criteria

Evidence must be provided to confirm completion of a Certificate II in Animal Studies, a Certificate III in Animal Studies, or other equivalent study/experience prior to determining eligibility into Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Some additional training may be required if the recommended pathway from Certificate III in Animal Studies to Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is not followed.

Greater Brisbane
Due to the high volume of applicants wishing to undertake this program, TAFE Queensland Greater Brisbane uses a selection criteria and ranking for entry into the program. Applicants will be required to undertake a Basic Key Skills Builder (bksb) Maths and English assessment to determine current level of literacy and numeracy. Applicants who receive an Exit Level 3 Working at Level 4 score (or higher) on the bksb will receive more ranking points than students with a lower score. If a previous bksb attempt resulted in an Exit Level 3 Working at Level 4 score (or higher), you will not be required to retest. Applicants will also be required to complete a knowledge test based on topics covered in the Certificate III in Animal Studies and results from this test will contribute points towards the total ranking score.

Gold Coast
Gap training may be required to complete the Certificate IV Veterinary nursing qualification, which can take up to 21 months, and may require the faculty to be contacted to provide an individualised plan. You must have sufficient language, literacy, numeracy, computing and technical skills to achieve success in this course. Students will be required to complete the bksb English and Maths test prior to course commencement to identify any areas where they may require additional support to help them achieve their goals.

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); 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

You must have 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. Equipment and software is available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations, but it is strongly recommended that students have a personal computing device to enable them to participate in online activities and complete assessment tasks in their personal study time.

You will be provided with a recommended reading list and/or required textbooks at time of enrolment or during orientation. The purchase of these resources will incur additional costs. You may also be required to purchase uniform items including appropriate enclosed footwear and TAFE Queensland branded items. Details will be provided after enrolment or during orientation. The purchase of TAFE Queensland branded uniform items may incur additional costs.

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

Need to know

Bridging Program / Gap units
The following units are available at both TAFE Queensland Brisbane and Gold Coast Regions for applicants who have not completed all the required units in previous study. Students will need to successfully complete the following Certificate IV core units and any other required units prior to entry into Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing program:

• ACMVET202 - Carry out daily practice routines
• ACMGAS307 - Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work
• ACMGAS308 - Communicate effectively with clients and team members

These units may not have been included in other qualifications and/or streams of the Certificate III in Animal Studies, such as the Behaviour, Grooming and Wildlife streams at TAFE Queensland, TAFE at Schools programs or qualifications undertaken through other registered training providers.

These units will be delivered over a 10 week duration - classroom delivery studying between 2-6 units. Total fee will depend on how many units are required - cost per unit:

• Full fee - $859
• Subsidised fee - $99
• Concession fee - $99

Upgrade to Certificate IV Program

This option is available to students who have successfully completed the Certificate III in Animal Studies and Bridging Program units (if required) and wish to upgrade to the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

This Upgrade Program is delivered over a 12 month duration – classroom delivery for up to three days per week.

To achieve this qualification, the following core units will need to be successfully completed:

• ACMVET401 Coordinate veterinary reception duties​
• ACMVET403 Perform clinical pathology procedures​
• ACMVET405 Coordinate and perform surgical nursing routines​
• ACMVET408 Provide nutritional advice and support for animals​
• ACMVET409 Provide specific animal care advice​
• ACMVET416 Assist with the preparation of veterinary drugs and poisons
• ACMVET402​ Apply imaging routines​
• ACMVET404 Perform practice office procedures​
• ACMVET406 Nurse animals​
• ACMVET407 Carry out medical nursing routines​
• ACMVET410 Carry out veterinary dental nursing procedures​
• ACMVET413 Prepare for anaesthesia and monitor animal anaesthesia and analgesia

Completion of 240 hours of Vocational Placement is required as part of this qualification.

Fees for this Upgrade Program are as follows:

• Full fee - $10,310
• Subsidised fee - $1,190
• Concession fee - $1,190

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.