Selection criteria

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:

• 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
• 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.

Students should be a minimum of 18 years of age. Student visa applicants under the age of 18 will be accepted where they demonstrate that they will be accompanied by a parent, legal custodian or a suitable relative who is aged 21 or over. This arrangement requires the approval of the Department of Home Affairs.  For more information visit Department of Home Affairs - Welfare Requirements for Student Visa Applicants under 18.

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

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

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.