Inspiring Veterinary Nurses: Aimee’s journey beyond the clinic
AVT graduate Aimee shares how her career has taken her from general practice to canine rehabilitation, remote veterinary work and running her own business.
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) was formed in 1998 in Perth, Western Australia, by Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses looking to provide quality training for students seeking qualifications as a Veterinary Nurse and gaining employment in the veterinary industry. Over the years, we have extended our range of courses and nationally recognised certificates to include qualifications in Animal Studies, Animal Care, Horse Care and Animal Behaviour and Training. Our courses allow students to enter a diverse range of roles within the animal and pet care industry particularly those starting their careers.
From humble beginnings to a proud milestone, our college has been training students for over 25 years.
What started as a small initiative with a passionate group of educators and students has now blossomed into a renowned institution, shaping the future of animal care and veterinary nursing. Over the past quarter-century, we have remained dedicated to providing comprehensive and hands-on training, empowering aspiring veterinary nurses and animal carers of tomorrow to make a difference in animal welfare and care.
As we reflect on our journey, we are grateful for the countless success stories and the impact our graduates have had on the lives of animals and their human companions. We stand tall as a testament to perseverance and the enduring pursuit of knowledge. Swipe right to view a brief timeline of our journey.
We became a Platinum Education Partner with the VNCA, with several of our courses approved for AVNAT CPD points. This partnership reinforces our commitment to supporting veterinary nurses with professional development opportunities.
We are very proud to bring the Dogs' Refuge Home back into our Animal Health and Welfare program. Our course now offers practical training entirely in Shenton Park, WA in addition to our Ascot Campus.
We are very excited to announce our new VETDSS (high school) program running from Landsdale Farm in Darch. Exposing high school aged students to farm and companion animals in an exhibited animal setting.
It's been a crazy, busy and fun 25 years educating industry professionals and there's no greater reward than having former students and graduates approach us to share their memories and experiences of studying at AVT.
As a result of growing demand for trained Equine Vet Nurses, we launched our very first non-accredited short course, the Equine Veterinary Nursing Certificate.
We were the first in Australia to offer the new nationally recognised Animal Behaviour and Training course. Our inaugural cohort participated in blended online and workshop based learning.
With the development of new courses and offerings, and to host our growing team, we move all campuses to a shared space at Ascot.
We enter new waters with a Zoo and Wildlife Care Course, offering our first ever Zoo based course.
We expand into a second campus facility in Bentley to offer more hands-on experiences to our students including a dedicated clinical skills lab.
With many of our students seeking an equine-based career, we launched our very first Horse Care focused course.
In response to new mandatory requirements for the national Veterinary Nursing qualification, we open a second campus and simulated veterinary hospital so we can offer an intensive Vet Nurse Pathway course.
To deliver a more intensive hands-on experience, we partner with several organisations to offer our courses at some of Perth's leading animal care facilities.
We become an approved provider for the Jobs & Skills WA program, offering students financial subsidies to help make their dreams become a reality.
Animal Science College and Applied Vocational Training are merged together to create Applied Vocational Training or AVT as we know it today.
It's time for Dr John Platt to retire and he hands over the reins to Dr Anne Beugelaar and Lianne Hulse (former Co-founder of Vetwest Animal Hospitals).
By 2015, the college was growing so fast that it was time to relocate from our humble beginnings in Canning Vale to a more spacious facility in Bentley.
Dr Anne Beugelaar (now AVT Director) joined us as the Principal Veterinary Nursing Lecturer. A former TAFE lecturer and AVT guest lecturer, this role reignited Anne's love for training the next generation of vet nurses.
It seems like a lifetime ago, but as our correspondence course audience grew, we adopted the 'latest' technology available at the time, launching our eLearning centre and online courses using Moodle.
As we place focus on developing and teaching our Animal Care Courses, we created the “Animal Science College” and rebranded with new logos.
Dr Platt and his small team awarded the inaugural class of Veterinary Nurses with their Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
Founder and Veterinarian, Dr John Platt recognised a lack of dedicated Veterinary Nursing training and established Applied Vocational Training (AVT) as the first dedicated animal care, Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in WA.
Courses are provided by our team of qualified and experienced Veterinarians, Veterinary Nurses and Animal Scientists. Our trainers and assessors are active members of either the veterinary profession or are involved in the animal care industry. They also have recognised training qualifications and significant experience teaching in University and/or Vocational programs.
Over 500 students are enrolled in our on-campus, blended and supported eLearning programs. Our graduates are employed in a variety of areas including veterinary practice, zoos, government agencies such as quarantine services, welfare organisations, wildlife and rehabilitation and other animal care facilities.
We are located in Ascot, Western Australia, (9km from Perth CBD). Our purpose-built training centre provides on-campus students with a modern learning facility and access to an animal care facility (with animals), practical laboratory as well as equipment and products used in the veterinary and animal care industry. Students also enjoy free Wi-Fi services, a student lounge including an outdoor garden area as well being a short walking distance to eateries and public transport.
Applied Vocational Training (AVT) is a private registered training organisation, registered with the ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority). We’re also supported and endorsed by the Australian Veterinary Association. Our registration number is 5273 and our registration authority can be viewed on the Australian Government’s National Register of VET website. For more information we encourage you to visit the following links:
As an RTO, AVT is bound to comply with the 2025 Standards for Registered Training Organisations (SRTOs). Training services provided to clients follow policies and processes developed to meet the VET Quality Framework and SRTOs 2025. Please visit our Student Policy page for more information.
We recommend you research any training organisation you’re considering studying with by using the training.gov.au website.
AVT is a Registered Training Organisation, and offers nationally recognised qualifications.
AVT is approved to offer a range of government funded subsidies for selected courses.
AVT have focused on delivering animal care related courses for over 25 years.
AVT is a Registered Training Organisation offering nationally recognised qualifications.
AVT is approved to offer a range of government funded subsidies for selected courses.
AVT have focused on delivering animal care related courses for over 25 years.
AVT graduate Aimee shares how her career has taken her from general practice to canine rehabilitation, remote veterinary work and running her own business.
A proposed Tasmania intake of the ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training is now open for Expressions of Interest.
In our annual ceremony, we proudly celebrated the achievements of our AVT Veterinary Nursing graduates of 2025. This special and emotional occasion recognised the dedication and hard work of our students as they were surrounded by trainers, family and friends.