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. With an estimated 24 million pets currently in Australia, demand for qualified veterinary nurses is expected to grow strongly over the next five years.
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 | |
Note: Not all electives are available at all campuses.
Ways to study
Studying on campus is a great way to enjoy the benefits of face-to-face education in a way that is far removed from a typical school. No matter which campus you choose, you know that you will be learning in an adult environment where you will be respected and nurtured. Attend a campus to learn face-to-face with a teacher in one of our learning spaces; such as a classroom, workshop, laboratory or simulated environments, or interact with teachers using real-time video or web conference tools. Learn more
What you need to know about studying on campus
Courses delivered on campus may have a combination of online and classroom based learning. Students are expected to undertake additional personal study to complete the course requirements.
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 is the total amount you need to pay when you enrol. 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.
Important Information
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) 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.
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
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
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