At a glance
Combine entry-level knowledge with specialised skills to launch your veterinary nursing career. This course is the nationally-recognised industry qualification for vet nursing. Accelerate your career and learn the technical skills valued by the veterinary industry.
JOB PROSPECTS
- Veterinary Nurse
COURSE OUTCOME
ACM30117 / ACM40418 Certificate III in Animal Studies / Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Course overview
Kick start a rewarding career working with animals with this dual qualification. Combine entry-level knowledge with specialised skills and launch your career as a veterinary nurse.
According to the Australian Government's Job Outlook service, the number of people working as veterinary nurses is expected to grow strongly in the future. There are likely to be around 9,000 job openings in this industry over the next five years with employers looking for qualified candidates who are caring, empathetic, and can communicate clearly.
You'll start by developing fundamental skills in animal care including anatomy and physiology, hygiene techniques, animal identification, animal nutrition, and client communication. You'll also learn how to handle animals correctly, maintain and monitor animal health, and assist in providing treatments for animals.
Then move on to your veterinary nursing studies where you'll learn how to support hospitalised animals through their medical procedures, prepare animals for surgery, assist in surgical nursing procedures, and monitor patients when under anaesthesia. You'll also discover how to perform clinical pathology procedures, prepare equipment and animals for x-rays, and carry out veterinary dental nursing procedures. You'll get the opportunity to put your skills into practice with work experience and vocational placement a key component of this course.
Successful completion of this dual qualification will open up a range of career opportunities in the animal care industry. You will also be equipped with the skills required to seek work as a veterinary nurse.
As a vet nursing student at TAFE Queensland you'll have access to our fully-equipped veterinary clinic. The clinic is complete with industry-standard equipment including a full surgery room and fully-functioning radiography room.
As part of your course, you get valuable experience in real workplaces. Our strong partnerships mean you will use the skills you are learning to care for animals in different settings within your community, while also getting to know potential future employers.
Units
The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core and 4 elective units from the list below. You will also be required to undertake 240 hours of vocational placement in an approved setting.
| UNIT CODE | UNIT NAME | |
|---|---|---|
| ACMGAS202 |
Participate in workplace communications | |
| ACMGAS203 |
Complete animal care hygiene routines | |
| ACMGAS301 |
Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing | |
| ACMGAS303 |
Plan for and provide nutritional requirements for animals | |
| ACMINF301 |
Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | |
| ACMSUS201 |
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices | |
| ACMWHS301 |
Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | |
| ACMGAS307 |
Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work | |
| ACMGAS308 |
Communicate effectively with clients and team members | |
| ACMVET202 |
Carry out daily clinic routines | |
| ACMVET401 |
Coordinate veterinary reception duties | |
| ACMVET402 |
Apply imaging routines | |
| ACMVET403 |
Perform clinical pathology procedures | |
| ACMVET404 |
Perform practice office procedures | |
| ACMVET405 |
Coordinate and perform surgical nursing routines | |
| ACMVET406 |
Nurse animals | |
| ACMVET407 |
Carry out medical nursing routines | |
| ACMVET408 |
Provide nutritional advice and support for animals | |
| ACMVET409 |
Provide specific animal care advice | |
| ACMVET410 |
Carry out veterinary dental nursing procedures | |
| ACMVET413 |
Prepare for anaesthesia and monitor animal anaesthesia and analgesia | |
| ACMVET416 |
Assist with the preparation of veterinary drugs and poisons | |
| UNIT CODE | UNIT NAME | |
|---|---|---|
| ACMGAS301 |
Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing | |
| ACMGAS303 |
Plan for and provide nutritional requirements for animals | |
| ACMSPE304 |
Provide basic care of domestic dogs | |
| ACMSPE305 |
Provide basic care of domestic cats | |
Note: For some courses, not all electives are available at all campuses.
Ways to study
As an international student at TAFE Queensland you'll gain hands-on experience in our modern classrooms, laboratories and workshops using state-of-the-art facilities and the same tools and equipment used in industry.
Get the internationally-recognised qualification you need to launch your career while enjoying the unique Australian landscape, culture, and lifestyle.
No matter where you are in your study journey, our team of international student support advisors can help you settle into life in Australia and provide support and assistance to help you throughout your studies.
What you need to know about studying as an International student
As an international student you’ll study face-to-face in a classroom with other international and Australian students at one of our campus locations.
You will be expected to undertake additional personal study to complete the course requirements. The number of hours of personal study required is dependent on your existing knowledge, skills and language needs.
Important information
The advertised course cost and duration will be broken down as per the following:
- Certificate III in Animal Studies – 6 months in duration, cost - $8,500
- Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing – 1 year in duration, cost - $13,000
Do you need help?
- email us your questions
- call us on +61 7 3244 5100
- find an agent to help with your application
- check out our frequently asked questions (FAQs).
University pathways
If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.
Learn more about university pathways
Payment options
No matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what's right for you, get in touch. We're here to help.
Upfront payment
This may be the full fee for the course, or the student contribution amount if you are eligible for a subsidy or concession.
Payment plan
If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.
International Student Payment
Our preferred payment method is telegraphic transfer or credit card using Western Union Global Pay for Students or the Flywire Payment Portal. Western Union and Flywire both allow you to complete your payment in your own currency using a telegraphic transfer with no processing fees or delays.
Learn more
Important Information
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for the Certificate III in Animal Studies however, to enter into the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, you must:
- 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
Domestic students - Greater Brisbane only
Certificate III in Animal Studies – Vet Nursing stream stage:
Due to the high volume of applicants wishing to undertake this program, TAFE Queensland, Brisbane Region 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 2 Working at Level 3 score (or higher) on the bksb will receive a higher ranking than those with a lower score. TAFE Queensland will accept candidates into the program based on this ranking. The bksb identifies any areas you may need additional support to achieve your goals and ensure you have the right skills and support to be successful in your course.
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing stage:
Applicants will be required to complete the Basic Key Skills Builder (bksb) maths and English assessments 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), applicants are not required to retest. Applicants must also complete a knowledge test based on topics covered in the Certificate III in Animal Studies with test results contributing points toward the total ranking score. Additional points will be awarded for work experience undertaken in a vet clinic.
International students
The following selection criteria requirements apply only to International students:
- You must be at least 18 years of age to enter into this course;
- English Language Proficiency: Academic IELTS 6.0 (no individual band less than 5.5) or ISLPR 3 on all skills or other - View a list of all English Language test accepted by TAFE Queensland International; and
- Academic Requirements: Completion of Year 10 (or equivalent). Non school-leavers must have relevant work experience or qualification that indicates likely success of course completion. For more information on the international education achievement levels equivalent to Year 10 and 12.
Applicants should be a minimum of 17 years of age and turning 18 during the first year of study with TAFE Queensland. International students who are under 18 years of age and are applying for a student visa are required by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs to have adequate welfare arrangements in place. TAFE Queensland has entered an agreement with Union Institute of Language (UIL) to facilitate the provision of the welfare services (fees apply).
Students must be successful in completing Certificate III to progress to Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing as it is a pre-requisite requirement in the package.
Placement
Certificate III in Animal Studies
Stage 1 - 80 hours Work Experience (optional)
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Stage 2 – 120 hours Vocational Placement
Stage 3 – 120 hours Vocational 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.
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 will also be required to purchase uniform items including comfortable closed in shoes preferably black 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.
Need to know
For all students who are undertaking courses that include Vocational Placements in a high risk workplace, Queensland Health has directed that students must declare your COVID-19 Vaccination status and evidence to either TAFE Queensland or the placement provider.
This may require you providing us or the placement provider information on:
- Your vaccinate status
- Last date of vaccination
- Evidence of vaccine status
Where this information will be collected as part of your application and / or enrolment process. Any data collected will be managed under the TAFE Queensland Privacy Policy.
This requirement is in place for all students in affected courses, including TAFE at School students.
Those students who have a medical contraindication may be unable to complete the vocational placement component of their course. This means you may not be able to meet all of the requirements of your course and may not be able to graduate or receive your qualification.
If you have any questions or concerns with this requirement, please contact our COVID hotline on 07 3307 4789.
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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
Greater Brisbane:
Total combined duration will be 21 months for ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies - Veterinary Nursing stream, followed by the upgrade to ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (completion of 12 units). The total cost for this study pathway will be:
Full fee: $14,930
Subsidised: $1,815
Concession: $1,815
Replacement Qualification
ACM30117 - Certificate III in Animal Studies has been replaced by ACM30121 - Certificate III in Animal Studies as of 12 April 2021. A transition period applies to enable current students to complete their study. The transition period finishes on 12 April 2023. If required, enrolments will be transitioned into a replacement qualification.
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.
Disclaimer
All information was accurate at time of publication, however TAFE policies, tuition fees and course content is subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change prior to commencement and/or during the duration of your course.
How to apply
If you're ready to get started, simply hit the Apply Now button on your preferred course information page and get your application underway online.
International students can either apply directly through our TAFE Queensland International Application portal, or through one of our education agents. Our registered agents can assist you with your visa application and guide you through the enrolment process. If you are from this list of countries, you will need to apply through an agent.
Learn more
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfers
Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. Getting recognition for the skills you've gained from the workplace or previous learning means less study time for you, and getting the paper to prove you're qualified a whole lot sooner. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.
Get started with TAFE Queensland
If you have read and understood the student rules, refund policy, understand your fees and payment options, have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) and checked you meet the entry requirements and selection criteria for this course, you're ready to get started.
University pathways
If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.
Learn more about university pathways 