Horse Care Fundamentals

The Horse Care Fundamentals short course has been designed for flexible online delivery allowing you to learn at your own pace. You’ll dive deep into the world of horses through interactive modules, real-life scenarios, and online experiences. It’s a flexible format that lets you learn at your own pace in your own time.

No work placement is required – this course is 100% online, making it a flexible and accessible option for anyone interested in learning more.

• You can complete all your learning from home.
• Study at your own pace, with no need to organise a workplace or on-site training.
• It’s ideal if you’re looking to gain knowledge without the pressure of sourcing a placement or attending classes.

This format lets you build your knowledge in a way that suits your lifestyle.

This FAQ relates to the following short courses: Horse Care Fundamentals and the Australian Wildlife Care Short Course

The Horse Care Fundamentals short course is non-accredited, so it doesn’t meet the formal entry requirement for the Equine Veterinary Nursing course.

The Equine Veterinary Nursing course is an advanced program that builds on the skills and knowledge of qualified veterinary nurses who are ready to expand their skills into the equine field.

To enrol, you’ll need to have completed a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing or hold an equivalent qualification. This ensures students have the clinical background needed to successfully take on equine nursing responsibilities.

If you’re passionate about working with horses, this short course is a valuable way to develop your understanding of horse care. It’s a great addition to your resume, whether you’re preparing for further study or you’re a veterinary nurse or animal care professional looking to expand your knowledge in equine care.

As the Horse Care Fundamentals is a non-accredited short course, it does not meet the prerequisite for the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

To apply for Veterinary Nursing, you must have any one of the following prerequisites:

• Certificate II in Animal Care, OR
• Certificate III or a higher level qualification in an animal science discipline, OR
• The equivalent skills and knowledge in a relevant animal science discipline (to a Certificate II level)

This short course is non-accredited, which means it doesn’t form part of a nationally recognised qualification. However, it has been expertly developed by industry professionals to give you valuable knowledge and confidence in horse care.

• It’s a fantastic introduction if you’re new to working with horses or considering a career in the equine industry.
• You’ll gain insights into safe handling, feeding, grooming and basic health care – all essential skills for anyone around horses.
• Many students use this course as a stepping stone to further study or to strengthen their experience when applying for equine jobs.

While not accredited, this course is a great way to build your skills, explore your passion, and boost your resume in the animal care field.

AVT offers two types of short courses:

• Nationally recognised short courses – These are part of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and lead to a Statement of Attainment. They are only available to Australian residents or those currently living in Australia. To deliver these courses to international students, AVT would need to be CRICOS-registered, which we are not.
• Non-nationally recognised short courses, including our AVT Short Courses and Micro-credentials, are designed for professional development or personal interest and can be studied from anywhere in the world. Please note that entry requirements still apply for our veterinary nursing Micro-credentials.

View our full list of Short Courses →

For students living outside Australia:

• You can enrol in AVT’s non-nationally recognised short courses regardless of where you live.
• However, you cannot enrol in nationally recognised short courses unless you are an Australian resident or are physically located in Australia at the time of study and assessment.
• Individuals who currently live overseas but intend to return to or live in Australia may be considered for enrolment in nationally recognised short courses. If enrolment occurs, certification cannot be awarded until the student has been assessed as competent in Australia, regardless of how much coursework was completed overseas.

To get the most out of your studies, you’ll need a reliable device that you feel confident using. Throughout your course, you’ll be accessing online learning platforms, submitting assessments, downloading resources and working with standard software, so having the right setup will make everything smoother.

We strongly recommend using a laptop, rather than a tablet, as this will give you the best experience when completing assessments and accessing course materials.

While both Windows and Mac devices can be used, we suggest Microsoft Windows as the preferred operating system, as it offers the smoothest compatibility with the software and platforms used throughout your course.

Recommended device specifications

• Laptop (preferred over tablet)
• Screen size of at least 10 inches
• Battery life of at least 4 hours, and don’t forget your charger if you’re an on-campus student
• Stable internet connection for online at home study
• Up to date antivirus protection, where applicable

Required software

• Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office, or Word 2010 or later
• Google Chrome web browser

Additional capabilities (maybe required for some courses)

• Built in microphone, or headphones with a microphone
• Wi Fi support