If a work placement doesn't suit your commitments, check out our unique classroom based course. You will still learn with real live animals, but you will also study alongside likeminded students.
Vet Nursing Pathway >>
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Internship: Veterinary Nurse Program) is the perfect pathway for students eager to work in a veterinary clinic. This 6-9 month course combines practical, hands-on training with guaranteed clinic placement* at a Greencross Vets clinic and flexible online study. Greencross Vets are located in ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, VIC and WA.
Designed to build your foundational skills in veterinary care, this course prepares you for a future as a veterinary assistant or veterinary nurse while meeting the prerequisite for the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to train in a real-world setting, network with veterinary professionals and we will open the doors so you can begin your journey in the veterinary care industry today!
Study mode: Blended
Duration: 6-9 months
Application status: Submit your interest
Practical training: At one of our industry partner practices (approx. 240 hours)
Online study time: Approx. 10-15 hours per week
Prerequisite: No prior qualifications are required
Best suited to: Students who have little or no prior knowledge or experience in the veterinary industry, and have a genuine interest in caring for animals or wish become a qualified veterinary nurse.
This vet nursing internship program is delivered via blended learning; a mix of online learning and practical training in a work placement. You will:
Guaranteed placement: Interns are provided with a guaranteed* placement at one of Greencross Vets’ clinics, where you’ll be supported by nominated mentors who will oversee your practical tasks and assessments.
Clinic attendance: The number of days you attend your clinic each week may vary depending on the workplace’s schedule and needs. This can be confirmed directly with your allocated clinic. Most students attend one day per week as part of the program.
Internship hours: You’ll need to complete approximately 240 hours in the clinic, or until all required theory and assessments are finished.
* Students must meet attendance and general work placement standards for guaranteed internship.
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care is an ideal starting point if you have very little or no prior knowledge or experience in the veterinary care industry. There are no prerequisites for entry into this course, making it a great pre-vocational course.
Students must:
The Greencross Vet Nurse Internship program is now available throughout ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, VIC and WA. Our internship enrolment process is slightly different to our other courses. You will be required to:
If selected for an internship, you will complete a formal enrolment process with AVT.
International students, please note that we are not registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Please visit the CRICOS website to view education providers that offer courses to people studying in Australia on student visas. We are unable to offer this course to students currently living overseas or those on a student visa. For more information, visit our frequently asked questions below:
You will complete 12 units of study covering a broad range of topics relating to the principles of working in a veterinary environment. As an AVT Intern you will:
The skills and knowledge you will learn can be applied both in a veterinary clinic, hospital or practice, additionally many of the skills you will learn also can be applied across the animal care industry such as working in a kennel, cattery or animal daycare centre. For more information on becoming a veterinary nurse read our post: What qualification do you need to become a Veterinary Nurse?
On successful completion of ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care you can go into roles such as:
This course will prepare you for career opportunities in a range of veterinary and animal care organisations:
Our ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care Internship course is clustered into two distinct blocks of study, where related units are grouped together. This means you can work through the theoretical and practical components including assessments of your course in a streamlined and efficient manner. Our delivery method allows you to progress quickly and complete your course sooner.
All students must complete the following 12 units with a focus on caring for animals in a veterinary practice or setting:
This qualification meets the prerequisite for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
Due to high demand, our AVT selection criteria also applies.
AVT is an independent animal care focused Registered Training Organisation (RTO 5273).
We do not have third-party arrangements with other training providers to acquire content or distribute qualifications. All course material is written and delivered by our team of qualified Trainer and Assessors.
Successful applicants will be offered a 6-9 month Veterinary Nurse Internship position with Greencross Limited. The course fee is $3,300 and must be paid in full or have entered into an agreed payment plan prior to the commencement of the program. Those entering into payment plans need to have their course fees paid off within a 7 month timeframe.
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Submit your interest | |
Ready to enrol? It’s easy, just complete our online application form. Once we have received and reviewed your submission you will receive an email outlining the next steps to get started.
We follow the national training package for all qualifications. The latest version of the training package can be viewed here. Training.gov.au is the Australian Government Website for registered training courses and providers.
Yes. Applied Vocational Training (AVT) is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 5273) offering nationally recognised qualifications in Animal Care, Veterinary Nursing and Animal Behaviour and Training.
AVT is registered with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the national regulator for vocational education and training providers in Australia. You can verify AVT’s RTO registration and scope of nationally recognised training on the Australian Government’s training.gov.au website.
Our nationally recognised qualifications include:
Our course materials are developed and regularly reviewed by our team of veterinary, animal science and training professionals to ensure they remain relevant to current industry practice.
AVT is also a VNCA/AVNAT Education Partner, and works with industry organisations including the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers Australia (IMDT).
Before enrolling in any nationally recognised training course, we recommend checking the provider and qualification on training.gov.au, the Australian Government’s National Training Register. Search for Applied Vocational Training or RTO 5273 to view AVT’s current registration and scope of training.
View Applied Vocational Training (RTO 5273) on training.gov.au
If you are in Australia on another type of visa, your eligibility to study depends on the specific conditions attached to your visa. AVT is not able to enrol students in nationally recognised qualifications on a student visa.
Other visas – Some registered training organisations (RTOs), including AVT, may enrol non-resident students who are temporarily visiting or living in Australia on certain visas other than a student visa. See important information about Jobs & Skills WA Funding eligibility including visa eligibility.
Restrictions – Many visas include limits on study or training. Your study and work rights are linked to your visa type.
Your responsibility – You must check your individual visa conditions before applying. Further information is available from the Department of Home Affairs.
Courses shown below are subsidised under the Jobs & Skills WA funding program. Eligibility including visa eligibility, vary by course. Please refer to the links below for details:
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care – Eligibility details for each stream:
ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services (RSPCA) – Eligibility details >>
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing – Eligibility details >>
Related FAQs:
Unfortunately, we cannot assist individuals studying as international students as we do not hold the required CRICOS (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) registration.
You may find CRICOS registered training institutions in Australia that can offer qualifications to international students. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions hold CRICOS registration and offer Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing courses.
Related FAQ’s:
Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS
AVT is not able to accept international students wishing to study on-campus in Australia on a Student Visa. To enrol students on a Student Visa, training providers must be registered with CRICOS (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students). AVT does not hold this registration.
If you wish to study on-campus in Australia with a Student Visa, you will need to apply through a CRICOS-registered provider. Some TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions are CRICOS-registered and may offer qualifications in Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing.
Related FAQ’s:
Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS
AVT is not able to accept applications for online qualifications from students who reside outside of Australia.
All AVT qualifications require students to learn and demonstrate knowledge of Australian legislation, regulations and industry standards, as well as apply these in practical settings. Because these requirements differ from those in other countries, we are unable to assess and recognise competence for students living overseas.
Related FAQ’s:
CRICOS (The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) is the Australian official register of training providers approved to deliver courses to international students on a Student Visa. Any qualification undertaken by a Student Visa holder must be listed on CRICOS and delivered by a CRICOS-registered provider.
In some cases, a registered training organisation (RTO) may enrol students who are temporarily visiting or living in Australia on other types of visas (not a Student Visa). However, many visas include restrictions on study or training. It is each individual’s responsibility to check their visa conditions to confirm their study and work rights. You can verify these with the Department of Home Affairs.
Related FAQ’s:
Tags: international, overseas, visa, CRICOS
Because we specialise in animal care, behaviour and veterinary training - everything you will learn is based on real industry needs and demands!
91% of AVT graduates are satisfied with their training experience, and 83% were employed after training (NCVER, 2025).
Students consistently tell us how supported they feel. Our trainers are here to guide you and answer your questions and help you stay on track.
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