June 22, 2021

Changes to ACM20117 ACM20121 and ACM30117 to aCM30121

Certificate II and Certificate III in Animal Studies Qualifications replaced with updated training packages ACM20121 and ACM30122

New packages to meet the needs of today’s animal care industry

Two new courses have been released that better reflect current industry practices and terminology and provide students with real-life skills to work in the expanding animal care and management sector. The new ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care is an upgraded version of the current ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies, with changes to core and elective units. The new ACM30121 Certificate III in Animal Care Services is an amalgamation of three previous packages, including the current ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies. These new and updated training packages have been developed in consultation with the industry to ensure students are well-equipped and skilled for work in a broad range of animal care and management environments.

Current status of AVT courses

ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care is already available at AVT and ACM30121 Certificate III in Animal Care Services will be available in the near future. Completion of either course provides a pathway into our Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing by meeting the prerequisite for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Transition Period for Animal Care qualifications

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) have 24 months to transition to the new training packages, with a deadline of 12 April 2023. Keep reading to find out what it means for current and new students at AVT.

New ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care

The new ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care is already available. We will cease delivery of the old training package (ACM20117) on 12 April 2023, in line with government guidelines.

I am already enrolled in the current Certificate II in Animal Studies. What does this mean for me?

Given the Certificate II is a one-year course, those students currently enrolled will have plenty of time to complete their studies and receive the current qualification. However, it is important to note there will be no opportunity to apply for an extension, given the imminent roll-out of the updated package.

I am a high school student and I have two years to complete a Certificate II. What does this mean for me?

High school students will be able to complete the current course, provided they have all assessments marked and certification achieved by the deadline of 12 April 2023.

Can I transfer to the new Certificate II in Animal Care?

There is an option to transfer to the new course and seek direct credits for units of study already completed. Please talk to us about your options.

If the current qualifications are being replaced, will they still be recognised in the industry?

Yes, the current course will still provide an industry-recognised qualification.

New ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services

The new ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services is significantly different to the previous ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies. This new, two-year qualification amalgamates study areas previously covered under three different training packages (ACM30117, ACM30417 and ACM30617). It is open to students who are working in the animal care industry. Most notably, the new Certificate III in Animal Care Services has been expanded to 17 units to give students an opportunity to choose electives and specialise in one of three key industry areas:

Animal care
Pet grooming
Customer service

I am already enrolled in the current Certificate III in Animal Studies. Can I transfer to the new course?

Yes, you can apply to transfer to the new course in 2022. A maximum of 8 units, if completed as part of the current Certificate III, can be credited to the new course (additional fees may apply). This will leave 10 units to complete.

What are the benefits of completing the new Certificate III in Animal Care Services?

There is more content in the new course, with a renewed focus on animal and human welfare. All assessments are undertaken in the workplace, providing real-life experience and validation of skills. For an overview of AVT’s animal care and management courses, visit our Qualifications Overview Page.

For more information about the Certificate III changes visit our FAQ

What to do if you are interested in pursuing a career in animal care

If you would like to take your passion for helping animals to the next level, the best thing to do is reach out to Australia’s most trusted animal care training providers. For over two decades, Applied Vocational Training (AVT) has helped aspiring animal care professionals realise their dreams by providing the highest quality career training. If you love animals, are considering volunteering to work with them or a career in animal care, gaining a nationally recognised qualification is the best place to start.

About AVT

We have been training animal care, animal behaviour and training, equine care and veterinary nursing students for over 25 years in Australia. Students who undertake AVT courses range from high school-aged students just starting their pre-vocational journey right through to mature-aged students seeking an alternative career path. Graduates are highly respected and sought after by industry professionals, businesses and organisations. If you want the background knowledge and skills to help you secure your career in the animal care industry, check out our qualifications here or gain new skills by studying one of our short courses.

What Qualification do you Need to Become a Veterinary Nurse?

A career as a veterinary nurse is one of the most rewarding, exciting and fulfilling vocations in the world, where you will never stop learning, evolving and growing.

With the job title of veterinary nurse comes great responsibility. And the skills and knowledge required to become a veterinary nurse today reflect the important and constantly evolving role a nurse plays in the veterinary hospital and in the care of their patients. You are responsible for the monitoring, comfort and well-being of your patients as well as providing exceptional communication with the owners, so they understand what is happening to their beloved pets.

What is a veterinary nurse?

The role of a veterinary nurse has dramatically changed over the last 10-15 years to become one of the most diversified job titles around. The role has changed from being just a cleaner, animal assistant and receptionist to one where the nurse closely supports the veterinarian in many technical areas, working alongside the vet to provide the very best of care to their patients. Today, veterinary nurses are required and expected to perform much higher level duties which make the job very rewarding and stimulating.

Above all a veterinary nurse provides essential nursing care for all of their patients and this care may include:

Cleaning and sterilisation of all equipment, cages, laundry, surgical instruments, etc
Cleaning, feeding, medicating, monitoring, comforting and observing patients
Assisting with anaesthesia and monitoring of patients
Preparation of patients for surgery
Assisting with radiography or ultrasonography
Running blood tests on on-site laboratory machines
Taking blood samples, placing iv catheters
Dental procedures such as a scale and polish
Triage and emergency procedures
Educating and informing owners on how to look after their pets
Providing excellent customer service, educating and informing owners
Keeping accurate client and patient records

To do all of these tasks competently and to take on these responsibilities, the training required to become a qualified veterinary nurse must incorporate both the theoretical knowledge as well as the essential practical skills covering all of these important areas.

How do you become a veterinary nurse in Australia?

In order to be employed as a qualified veterinary nurse in Australia, you need to obtain the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. The training and information you receive whilst studying this qualification will give you the underpinning knowledge and skills required to competently assist a veterinarian and to carry out the many skills expected of qualified nurses to provide the highest quality of care to their patients and clients.

How do you gain a qualification in vet nursing?

Veterinary nursing is a very hands-on vocation and gaining a veterinary nursing qualification requires both practical training in a veterinary hospital complemented alongside theoretical underpinning knowledge.

As you can appreciate, many people aspire to be veterinary nurses, and so this qualification is very competitive.

Is there a prerequisite for entry into Veterinary Nursing?

There is a prerequisite for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. This includes:

a Certificate II in Animal Care, Certificate III in Animal Care Services OR Certificate II in Horse Care*, OR
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 gained via workplace experience.

If you have little or no experience and are based in Perth we highly recommend our Veterinary Nursing Pathway course.

Vet Nursing Prerequisites

Detailed information about course entry and the Veterinary Nursing Prerequisite

* For detailed information visit: Selection Criteria and Entry into Veterinary Nursing

Do you need to have a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing to be a Vet Nurse in Australia?

To be employed and paid as a qualified veterinary nurse, you need to complete ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (previously ACM40412 Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing).

However, many nurses may begin their careers in the veterinary industry, working as animal attendants or volunteering their time at a veterinary hospital. Over time, if they are competent and show ability and aptitude, they may then have the opportunity to become trained in other areas of animal care, including basic veterinary nursing tasks. However, these tasks must always be carried out under the supervision of a qualified veterinary nurse or veterinarian.

In order to be able to perform all required veterinary nursing tasks and gain employment as a veterinary nurse, you need to obtain the Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing.

For more information on Vet Nursing visit the following pages:-

Start your veterinary nursing pathway

Pre-requisite Course

ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Vet Nursing Pathway)

An intensive 10 week program, delivered on-campus, giving students the skills and knowledge to prepare them for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or to work as an Animal Attendant in a vet practice.

About Vet Nurse Pathway

Vet Nursing Pathway

Students enjoy a combination of practical training and classroom activities at our animal care campus in Ascot. This course is the prerequisite for the Veterinary Nursing Qualification.

View Course

Online or Oncampus

ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

This qualification is aimed at those who want a career as a veterinary nurse or those already working in veterinary care positions. We offer a variety of study modes including Online and On-campus options.

About Vet Nursing

Veterinary Nursing

The role of a veterinary nurse is diverse, exciting, rewarding and one in which you will never stop learning. This certificate will introduce you to a range of skills and knowledge across several species of animals.