Entry requirements
Applicants wishing to apply for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (previously ACM40412) must meet prerequisite requirements. In addition to meeting these requirements all students are subject to the AVT selection process as outlined in the Entry page. To meet the mandatory prerequisite applicants must hold a Certificate II in Animal Studies OR a relevant Certificate III or higher level qualification in an animal science discipline OR can demonstrate equivalent skills or knowledge gained via workplace experience.
Know your options
For a limited amount of time, Western Australian residents may be able to apply for the previous qualification ACM40412 Certificate IV in Vet Nursing. We encourage all WA residents to watch our 'Understanding your options' video on the course entry page.
Modes of delivery
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is offered via two study methods:-
- Full-time on-campus course based in Bentley, Western Australia commencing in February each year
- Online eLearning course offering a more flexible approach to learning.
Work placement
Whether you choose to study online or on-campus all students are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours of workplace practical training. If you are based in Perth, Western Australia we will organise a placement for you at no extra cost. If you are not based in Perth, you will be required to secure a work placement location for your practical training. For more information view the workplace practical training information in our study modes page.
Your animal care pathway
Certificate IV in Veterinary nursing is a pathway from either ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies (previously ACM20110) or ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies (previously ACM30110) and ACM40317 Certificate IV in Companion Animal Studies providing you with the vital skills to undertake and assist in clinical duties such as pathology, radiology and procedures relating to managing medical cases.
The AVT Difference
Due to the intensive nature of this program, our students consistently enjoy a high graduation rate with very strong employment prospects. You will be recognised as a qualified and registered veterinary nurse in Australia.
Here's just a handful of reasons why students choose AVT:-
Do you meet the pre-requisites?
You will need a Certificate II in Animal Studies or higher or equivalent experience to commence this course.
Learn more
- We organise your work placement in a reputable veterinary hospital (for Perth, Western Australia WA based students)
- Your peers are like-minded because we thoroughly screen and review our applicants to maintain a high level of academic success
- Our team members know our students by name not by number! They are friendly and approachable and are available throughout the course to provide expert advice and coaching. They will also monitor and guide your progression
- We are a dedicated animal care college. No plumbing or hairdressing courses here!
- We are proud of the high graduation and employment rate of our students
- We are trusted and respected by industry - employers request our graduates
- Our course material is written by Veterinarians and Animal Scientists who are employed directly by AVT
- Our insurance arrangements ensure our students are protected throughout their training programs - both on-campus and in work placements (Australia based students only)
- We are an independent animal care and veterinary nursing registered training organisation. We do not have third party arrangements with other training providers to acquire content or distribute qualifications. We take pride in developing and delivering our own course material.
At AVT, we combine a high standard of theoretical knowledge taught in our facility located in Bentley or available online and combine it with intensive practical training. This allows you to gain the competence and confidence required for an exciting and rewarding career in a variety of animal care careers.
Are you choosing a registered training organisation?
AVT is fully registered by the Australian Government training registration authority ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority) and the qualification offered is the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. We are supported and endorsed by the Australian Veterinary Association. Our registration authority can be viewed on the training.gov.au website, which is the Australian Government’s website for details of registered courses and training providers – View our details here. We strongly recommend you search the training.gov.au website for any training organisation you maybe considering.
Looking for more information visit: Study Modes | Course Content | Fees and Payment Plan | Entry Requirements | Career & Outcomes |
Study Modes and Course Delivery Overview
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is currently being offered via two study modes including Online eLearning and On-Campus Full-time.
The Supported online eLearning program gives you access to all learning materials and units via our online learning system, as well as all presentation materials from lectures delivered on campus at the time. You will not be required to attend lectures.
You will be required to study several units at a time, working through the learning material, supplemented with the required textbook and recommended references. Assessments and assignments are all submitted via our online learning system. Support is available to you via phone, email or Skype. Our training centre is open during both the school terms and most school holidays.
This is a self-paced course, allowing you to study at a pace that suits your lifestyle, up to two years at your own pace
Online access to learning centre with full support of our educators via phone, email or Skype.
On-campus attendance is not required. Non-compulsory, practical workshops and assessment sessions are offered throughout the year at our Bentley campus.
In addition to completing the course online theory, you are required to participate in a minimum of 500 hours of practical training in a veterinary practice. This may be longer than 500 hours and depends on how quickly you can complete your workplace assessments and competencies.
Who organises the work placement?
This depends on your individual circumstances and location as follows:-
Perth based? - If you are a Perth based student, AVT will pre-organise your work placement in consultation with you. We endeavour to cater for specific requests where possible such as your availability on given days of the week.
Not Perth based? - If you are not Perth based, you will need to organise your own work placement to suit your location and commitments. We will provide you with a comprehensive resource to assist you in securing a work placement in your local area.
Already employed? - If you are already employed in a veterinary practice, it is possible your employed hours may contribute towards your practical training hours.
How often should you attend a work placement?
Whether you are organising your own placement or you have a pre-organised work placement, we always recommended attending a veterinary practice on a regular basis throughout your studies, eg one day a week or one day a fortnight. Depending on your weekly or fortnightly attendance throughout the course, you may also need to complete several weeks or two week blocks to achieve the minimum required 500 hours.
Who provides workplace insurance?
Your course fee includes insurance cover for the mandatory work placement you take during your course regardless of the course delivery method you choose (applies to Australian based residents only).
For additional information on workplace practical training see the Work Placement section in the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.
You can also learn more about workplace practical training here
Range from online assignments and tests, oral testing via telephone or Skype, case studies, and video submissions of practical tasks and on-site face-to-face assessments (if location permits).
At any time of year to suit student and subject to support from a Veterinary Practice. Please see the 'Course Entry' tab for more detailed information about registration, application and start dates.
As a full-time student you will attend our campus in Bentley, Western Australia to participate in face-to-face lectures, group activities, tutorials and practical lessons. You will also be invited to off-site excursions and field trips to various animal related establishments. We run two separate classes to ensure you receive a personable learning experience. Every student has the opportunity to contribute and participate actively in classroom and practical sessions. In addition to classes we also ensure students have access to ongoing tutoring, support and instruction.
One year full time campus-based course.
Face to face group lectures, activities, tutorials and practicals at our Bentley, WA training centre with additional off-site excursions.
The full-time veterinary nursing course lasts for 1 year, starting in February and graduating mid-December, when you will be qualified and ready for employment.
The full-time classes run for 4 terms, similar to school terms. You must attend our training centre for 2 days a week (9.00am–4.00pm), followed by 2 days a week in one of our supporting veterinary practices. This cycle repeats throughout the four school terms. During term breaks (school holiday times) you are not required to attend class or your work placement (ie veterinary practice) if all course requirements have been met during school term.
Non-compulsory, practical workshops are also offered throughout the year at our Bentley campus.
In addition to the hands-on practical sessions you will undertake as a student at our Bentley location, you will also have the opportunity to participate in various off-site excursions and field trips to various animal related establishments including Veterinary Specialist Centres, Murdoch University Veterinary School, animal refuges and shelters as well as equine (horse) and exotic animal (small mammals such as guinea pigs, ferrets as well as birds and reptiles) facilities relevant to your training.
You are required to complete a minimum of 500 hours of workplace practical training. This may be longer than 500 hours and depends on how quickly you can complete your workplace assessments and competencies.
Your workplace practical training will be organised for you in a high quality Perth, WA based veterinary hospital. AVT has been organising work placements in Western Australian veterinary hospitals since 1999 and has formed over 100 long term relationships with high quality veterinary hospitals. So when it comes to the essential on-the-job veterinary nursing practical training you will be placed in a supportive veterinary hospital in which you will receive hands-on training, mentoring, supervision and valuable experience in all aspects of veterinary nursing over the duration of your course.
Workplace insurance
Your course fee includes insurance cover for the mandatory work placement you take during your course regardless of the course delivery method you choose (applies to Australian based residents only).
Range from assignments and tests, case studies, practical tasks and on-site face-to-face assessments.
An Important Note about on-campus study
Enrolments for our next on-campus course will be for the Full-time February 2020 intake. If you would like a more flexible study option, we encourage you to apply for our online course. For Perth metropolitan based students, we will organise your work placement and for students located throughout Western Australia, you may also be eligible for the Jobs & Skills WA (formerly FutureSkillsWA) subsidy which dramatically reduces the cost of the course. Subsidised places are offered upon successful completion of the application and interview process and are subject to availability.
Looking for more information visit:
Introduction | Course Content | Fees and Payment Plan | Entry Requirements | Career & Outcomes |
What subject units will I study?
All Certificate IV in Veterinary Nurse students are required to complete the following units during their course. These units are internal units of study and closely follow a national training program developed by veterinarians to provide a quality knowledge base for veterinary nurses.
Your core units are:
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to collect biological samples and perform pathology procedures, including maintaining the integrity of samples and preparing consignments for diagnostic laboratories.
Your compulsory elective units are:
Looking for more information visit: Introduction | Study Modes | Fees and Payment Plan | Entry Requirements | Career & Outcomes |
Entry requirements for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
There is a prerequisite for this qualification. Meeting this requirement does not guarantee entry. All applicants are subject to the AVT application process and selection criteria described here. Places are also subject to availability. To enrol in this course applicants must hold either:-
- a Certificate II in Animal Studies 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.
You can learn more information about meeting the prerequisites in our FAQ section below. If you do not meet the entry requirements you will need to complete a Certificate II in Animal Studies
Course entry options
We encourage all Western Australian applicants to watch our "Understanding your options" video below. For a limited amount of time, WA applicants may be eligible to apply for ACM40412, the previous but still current, Vet Nursing qualification. This is likely to appeal to applicants who do not meet the pre-requisite requirement for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Vet Nursing.
After watching the video, follow our online application wizard to confirm your options and commence your application.
FAQ's - General questions about meeting the prerequisites
Meeting the compulsory prerequisite or equivalency does not guarantee entry into ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Once prerequisites have been met, prospective students may then apply for entry in to ACM40418 and are subject to the course selection criteria as described here
When you click on the 'Apply Now' button our application wizard will guide you through the application process. This includes requesting detailed information about your previous knowledge and skills as well as other qualifications you have completed.
Our application form wizard will guide you through the information required to your application.
If you have completed an alternative qualification that may be equivalent to the prerequisite you will need to submit formal qualification documents including a certificate and results listing all units studied such as a Statement of attainment (note these are not required if your qualification was gained from AVT)
If you believe you have relevant knowledge and skills as a result of workplace experience - you will be required to submit a knowledge and skills assessment as part of our application process. A fee of $185 applies and is payable on application by credit/debit card. See our separate FAQ on 'What evidence do you need of my workplace related skills and knowledge?'.
If you have successfully completed the ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies or a directly equivalent qualification as listed on this page you can complete the full application form now. Here's a few things you will be asked about:-
- Proof of completion for ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies or equivalent (if not studied via AVT)
- Unique Student Identifier - If you don’t already have a USI number, you will need to apply for one. This is easy to do, just go to our USI page to find out more.
- Previous study and experience - you will be asked about your previous workplace experience, whether that be an employed position or even volunteer work. If you have any proof of work experience or employment, make sure you have a digital copy on hand to upload, particularly if it is related to working with animals.Here’s just some of the documents that are of interest:-
- References (personal, work or education related references on business letterhead)
- Offers of employment or work experience
- Short courses you may have undertaken
- Evidence of experience in caring for animals
- Records of education including school, college, TAFE, university records
- Work experience references/ statements
- Statement of Attainments
- Your why! - We are going to ask you why you want to study and work as a veterinary nurse. You will need to write at least 500 words telling us why you are applying and include any information about your past experience with animals. This is one of the most important parts of your application, so think carefully before submitting your statement.
If you cannot provide sufficient evidence to prove you meet the prerequisites, then to be able to apply for Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, you must complete either, Certificate II in Animal Studies or Certificate III in Animal Studies.
If you submitted an application for the knowledge and skills assessment (gained in the workplace) and your application is not deemed equivalent, your equivalency review application fee is non-refundable.
AVT recognised animal care qualifications that qualify for exemption
The following nationally recognised qualifications are examples of related qualifications that can be deemed equivalent:-
- ACM30117 Certificate III in Animal Studies
- ACM30217 Certificate III in Animal Technology
- ACM30317 Certificate III in Captive Animals
- ACM30417 Certificate III in Companion Animal Services
- ACM30617 Certificate III in Pet Grooming
- ACM40117 Certificate IV in Animal Control and Regulation
- ACM40217 Certificate IV in Captive Animals
- ACM40617 Certificate IV in Pet Styling
- ACM50117 Diploma of Animal Technology
- ACM50317 Diploma of Horse Stud Management
- ACM50417 Diploma of performance Horse Management:
Other qualifications may be relevant, although must be a Certificate III or a higher level qualification and will include those where you can demonstrate you have gained experience in all of the following five areas :-
- Work health and safety risks in an animal care facility
- Animal identification, handling and behaviour
- Animal nutrition (prepare, present and distribute food and water for animals under supervision and according to animal dietary requirements)
- Animal hygiene routines
- Animal husbandry and health routines.
As a guide, examples of other qualifications involving animals which may meet equivalency include commencement or completion of degrees in areas such as:-
- Animal Science
- Zoology
- Animal Conservation
- Animal Management
FAQ's - Demonstrating equivalent skills and knowledge
In order for us to ascertain whether you meet the entry requirement as a result of knowledge and skills you have gained in the workplace, you need to provide evidence which is relevant and current and may include:
- relevant work history, whether that be voluntary or employed work (including description of the workplace, position held, duties undertaken, duration and supervisor details)
- references from relevant employers and supervisors
We may or may not also need to carry out verbal or written testing of certain subjects/units to help us with the assessment of your application for exemption from completing ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies. Fees apply.
Equivalency of the prerequisite qualification, Certificate II in Animal Studies may include relevant employed or voluntary (work experience) positions in a range of animal care facilities.
You must demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge in the following five areas:-
- Work health and safety risks in an animal care facility
- Animal identification, handling and behaviour
- Animal nutrition (prepare, present and distribute food and water for animals under supervision and according to animal dietary requirements)
- Animal hygiene routines
- Animal husbandry and health routines
Here's some examples of tasks you may have performed whilst working in an animal care facility:-
- basic care of animals, including feeding, exercise, grooming, washing of animals
- understanding of basic animal care needs i.e. diet, fleas, worms etc
- cleaning/ hygiene procedures of the animal’s environment, eg cage, enclosure, bedding, stable
- handling animals regularly using appropriate handling and restraint methods and can identify basic animal behaviour signs
- observing and recording animals’ behaviour
- following Occupational Health and Safety guidelines with an understanding of hazards in the animal care industry,
- Ability to identify basic health care concerns in animals i.e. canine cough, ringworm, cat flu etc
Examples of animal care related workplaces where you will need to demonstrate at least a minimum of 1 years’ experience include:-
- Animal shelters
- Kennels
- Catteries
- Sanctuaries
- Veterinary practices
- Pet shops
- Animal research facilities
- Other areas of animal care work where the student is completing tasks under supervision.
Unfortunately, caring for your own pets at home or hobbies and interests with animals is not adequate experience.
When and how can I apply?
If you think you meet the initial entry requirements for ACM40418 Cert IV in Vet Nursing or you wish to apply for ACM40412 (WA applicants only), please complete our online application wizard below.
Applications for our online eLearning intake will be open during March 2019. Our next On-campus intake will be in February 2020 with applications open in August 2019.
Selection criteria for AVT Veterinary Nursing Students
Our graduates are sought after by Veterinary Practices throughout Australia. One of the reasons for this is our selection process. For this reason, places in the AVT Veterinary Nursing course are highly competitive and limited. Unfortunately, this means meeting the prerequisite does not guarantee you will be accepted into the course.
Once you have met the prerequisite for Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, your application will then go through our normal selection process.
Our normal selection process involves considering your aptitude for working in this particular field. If you are currently employed in a veterinary practice and have the support of your employer to study this qualification, this will be considered favourably.
Although experience and knowledge in an animal-related industry is a prerequisite, when selecting students, we also consider two other important criteria as outlined below.
We look for evidence of your ability to study at the Certificate IV level. This may be based on your completion of school or other studies. We do not apply strict rules on what schooling you need to have completed and all students can present evidence of their ability to show equivalency to this level.
It is recommended that you have completed or have equivalent language, literacy and numeracy at a year 12 high school level. Throughout this course, you will be required to read and interpret workplace policy and procedures, technical and medical terminology, perform moderate level calculations and exercise various forms of workplace communications.
For students that do not have evidence of previous studies we may ask you to complete one of our own aptitude assessments that may allow you to demonstrate your ability. These assessments are designed to assess your language, literacy and numeracy skills. We may ask you to take some further background studies if we feel you need extra study experience.
Veterinary nursing can be both a physically and emotionally challenging job at times and requires you to have a certain amount of resilience and maturity due to the nature of the veterinary industry and the type of situations that you will face.
A veterinary nurse’s role involves as much interaction with people as it does with animals. This means excellent communication and customer service abilities are essential. Good interpersonal skills are required to be able to interact with and convey information to clients and other members of the hospital team.
Our selection process will take into consideration the quality of your application as well as how you perform during a formal interview, either face to face, Skype or via telephone (if your application reaches this stage). Behavioural, cognitive and interpersonal assessments are used to help us with our selection.
As mentioned above, places are highly competitive and limited.
Entry via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
In addition to the normal entry process outlined above, if you already have significant animal care and veterinary nursing skills and experience it is possible you may be eligible for our RPL program. Find out more information about our RPL program here
Don't meet the above prerequisites for the future ACM40418 course?
Enrol today in our Animal Studies Courses
Looking for more information visit: Introduction | Study Modes | Course Content | Fees and Payment Plan | Career & Outcomes |
Course Fees
What are the course fees and what does it include?
Our fees reflect the quality of the continuous tuition and support you receive throughout the program. Pricing and payment plan options depend on course delivery option chosen as shown below. See the fees section of our policies page for more specific information on fees.| Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing | Full-time (on-campus) | Supported Online |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year | Max of 2 years studied at your own pace |
| Delivery | Classroom and practical | Online theory plus practical work placement. Non-mandatory practical on-campus workshops |
| Attendance | 2 days on-campus, 2 days practical training per week | Not required. Student schedules practical training to suit, ideally 1 day per week |
| Enrolment | ||
| AVT Pre-organised work placement (if not currently employed) | Perth Residents | |
| Work Practical Placement guide (to assist you in securing a work placement) | n/a | Non-Perth Residents |
| Learning guides (23 units) | Available online | |
| Text books | ||
| One-on-one mentoring via phone, email, skype | ||
| Face-to-face mentoring | Perth Residents | |
| Excursions and incursions | Perth Residents | |
| Assessments and certification (on successful completion) | ||
| Workplace practical insurance cover | ||
| Access to purpose built training facilities | If attending workshop training sessions | |
| AVT vet nurse practical kit including: | ||
| High quality medical grade stethoscope | ||
| Nurses fob watch | ||
| Digital thermometer | ||
| Surgery attire and name badge | ||
| Flexible Payment Plan options | ||
| Fees (non-funded students) | $15,400 | $7,400 |
| Fees (funded students)^ | $2,002 - $4,226 ^See important note below, subsidy and concession may apply. | $1,279 - $3,502 ^See important note below, subsidy and concession may apply |
Important note ^
The Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is eligible for government subsidisation under the Jobs & Skills WA program for both our Full-time On-Campus and online study modes. The fee range shown above is indicative and includes subsidised and full fee paying costs. All fees shown are subject to change at any given time. Subsidised places are limited and are subject to availability. The Student tuition fees are indicative only and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as student service and resource fees.
To be eligible for the subsidised fees students must:- Be over the age of 18 years old in the year of enrolment
- Have primary residence in Western Australia
- Have a valid USI (Unique Student Identifier)
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold an approved temporary visa subclass
- Students not eligible for government subsidised fees will be subject to the full fee tuition cost of $15,400 for 2019 on-campus full-time enrolments.
Payment plans
Payment plans generally run for 10 or 20 months depending on how long you have nominated to complete the course.Credit transfers and fees
Course costs will be reduced where credit transfers apply. For more information about Credit transfers visit our RPL page here.Looking for more information visit: Introduction | Study Modes | Course Content | Entry Requirements | Career & Outcomes |
Outcomes
On successful completion you will be awarded the nationally recognised qualification, ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. You will receive a statement indicating completion of the individual units of study. You will also be invited to attend our graduation ceremony held in Perth in December every year where you will be formally presented with a certificate. At this ceremony, top achieving students are also recognised and receive both commendations and prizes.
Job Outcomes
On completion of your course the most common career path is directly into a Veterinary Nursing role in a veterinary practice. You could also find yourself working in a zoo, shelter, local council, laboratory, farm, office, or even on the road as a pharmaceutical or food company representative. Alternatively, you may choose to pursue higher level qualifications such as a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing or even a Bachelor of Science.Here's just a few examples of the types of roles Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing qualified nurses find themselves in:-
- Veterinary nurse
- Veterinary surgical assistant
- Veterinary receptionist
- Practice manager
- Veterinary nurse in a specialist or emergency centre
- Representative for animal related pharmaceutical or nutrition companies
- Animal welfare officer
- Zoo veterinary assistant
- Vocational educator
Skills Outcomes
Some of the skills you will be able to apply in practice once qualified include:-- Nursing and monitoring patients
- Administering medication
- Surgical preparation and assistance
- Taking blood samples
- Monitoring anaesthesia
- Taking x-rays (radiography)
- Laboratory processing
- Dental procedures (scale and polish)
- Emergency and critical care nursing
- Nurse consultations providing behavioural advice, nutrition management, dental care, puppy school instruction, wound management and post operative care.
- Customer service and client education
Looking for more information visit: Introduction | Study Modes | Course Content | Fees and Payment Plan | Entry Requirements
Applications are now open of our Online eLearning Course
If you think you:-
- meet the initial entry requirements for ACM40418 Cert IV in Vet Nursing, OR
- believe you meet the entry requirements as a result of prior learning OR knowledge and skills gained from workplace experience, OR
- would like to apply for ACM40412 (WA applicants only),
And you have read the 'Course Entry' page - please complete our online application wizard here:-
What next?
Once we have received either your full application or an application to review your entry requirement (prerequisite), it will be processed by our applications team. Once reviewed, we will either:-
- contact you with the result of your application to advise if you have been successful,
- provide information on how to make a full application if you have been successful at meeting the prerequisite criteria by prior learning or knowledge and skills gained in a workplace.
- advise you of what steps to take next if you do not meet the prerequisite criteria.
Want to study On-campus in 2020?
Register your details below and be one of the first to apply for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing On-campus Full-time course commencing in February 2020. We will send you a notification email as soon as applications are open (August 2019). To ensure you receive this email, we recommend adding mail@appvoc.com to your address book.
Looking for more information visit: Introduction | Study Modes | Course Content | Fees and Payment Plan | Entry Requirements
