
Study Modes
- On-Campus Full-time
- On-Campus Part-time
- Online

Duration
- Full-time 1 yr
- Part-time 2 yrs
- Online up to 2 years

Cost
- On-Campus options from $2,136
- Online from $1,438
Jobs & Skills WA funded positions available
for WA based students
Are you passionate about animals and their care? Have you ever thought about becoming a Vet Nurse? Our nationally recognised Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to commence your career as a veterinary nurse or to gain a national qualification as an experienced professional. With over 80% of AVT veterinary nursing students gaining employment during or after they complete their studies, studying with AVT will put you ahead of the rest. Take your love of animals and a desire to care for animals, and choose this course to provide you with the necessary hands on skills and theoretical knowledge to work in the veterinary and animal care industry.
What you will learn
Throughout the course you will complete 21 units of study covering a broad range of topics relating to veterinary nursing care. You will become competent in:-
- Nursing and monitoring patients,
- Administering medication,
- Providing surgical assistance and monitoring anaesthesia,
- Taking and processing blood samples,
- Taking x-rays,
- Conducting basic dental procedures,
- Undertaking emergency and critical care nursing,
- Providing advice to pet owners.

Who is this course ideal for?
This course will be ideal if you are :-
- looking to pursue a career in the veterinary care industry
- have some animal care knowledge or experience and would like to become a veterinary nurse
- an existing animal health carer looking to gain a nationally recognised qualification and secure a career path
- want to commence your career in the area of veterinary nursing
- looking for a career change and always dreamed of becoming a veterinary nurse
How will you study?
You can choose! Our ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is offered via three study methods:-
- Full-time on-campus course based in Bentley, Western Australia commencing in February each year
- Part-time on-campus course based in Bentley, Western Australia commencing Mid-year 2020
- Online eLearning course studied throughout Australia offering a more flexible approach to learning with a flexible start date

How will you gain hands-on experience to become a veterinary nurse?
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 in a reputable veterinary clinic for you at no extra cost. The best part about it is many of our Perth based students gain employment from their work placement organisation either throughout or after their training. 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 course delivery page.
Looking for more information?
Entry Requirements | Course Delivery | Course Content | Course Outcomes | Fees and Payment Plan | How to Apply
Entry into the Veterinary Nursing course
To complete the course you will:-
- have a reliable internet connection and access to a desktop computer, laptop or electronic device. You will be required to write, submit and in some cases upload assessments and various types of multi-media files online, therefore we strongly recommend using a desktop or laptop computer for your studies
- be proficient in speaking and writing in English
- be physically capable of restraining animals, handling animal feed e.g. large bags of food of up to 10 kg and standing for extended periods of time
- meet the prerequisite (see below)
- need to be a minimum of 18 years of age or be turning 18 during the academic year

Meeting the entry requirements
Our goal is to see students succeed in their animal care career path and to ensure we provide the veterinary industry with high quality, employable graduates. To achieve this we believe the best approach is to assess each prospective student based on a combination of their experience, education, ability and suitability to work with animals.
Assessing whether or not you meet the entry requirements for ACM40418 Cert IV in Vet Nursing is done by a personalised review of each and every applicant. For this reason, we recommend applying for the course. We will then assess your application and advise you on the next steps to entry.
For more information about the course prerequisites read our detailed prerequisite page. If you are concerned you do not meet the prerequisite, simply contact us. We will review your individual situation and advise on the best way forward which may include a unique fast-track program which will have you started in no time.
International Students
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:-
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
If you already have significant animal care and veterinary nursing skills and experience you maybe eligible to apply for RPL. Read more about RPL here
Not sure if Veterinary Nursing is for you?
Enrol today in one of our Animal Studies Courses
Looking for more information?
Introduction | Course Delivery | Course Content | Course Outcomes | Fees and Payment Plan | How to Apply
Course Delivery Overview
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is currently being offered via three study modes including On-Campus Full-time, On-Campus Part-time and Online eLearning
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.
Our full-time on-campus course is a one year course, spread over 4 terms similar to schools. You will commence in February and graduate by mid-December, when you will be qualified and ready for employment. However, many of our students are offered and commence paid employment during their studies.
During each term you will be required to:
- attend on-campus classes and training for 2 days per week from 9am-4pm
- attend your practical workplace training for 2 days per week
- complete approximately 8 hours per week of home based online study.
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.
Course delivery is provided via several methods. You will participate in:-
- Face to face group lectures,
- Practical training sessions on-campus,
- On-site incursions,
- Off-site excursions,
- Weekly work placements at reputable veterinary hospitals pre-arranged by AVT, and
- Home based online eLearning,
- Non-compulsory, practical workshops are also offered throughout the year (additional fees may apply).
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).
Assessments range from written and online assignments and tests, case studies, practical tasks and on-site face-to-face assessments.
As a part-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 one small part-time class 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.
This is a part-time on-campus course delivered over two years. Each year consists of 4 terms similar to schools.
During each term you will be required to:
- attend on-campus classes and training for 1 day per week from 9am-4pm
- attend your practical workplace training for 1 day per week
- complete approximately 4 hours per week of home based online study.
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.
Course delivery is provided via several methods. You will participate in:-
- Face to face group lectures,
- Practical training sessions on-campus,
- On-site incursions,
- Off-site excursions,
- Weekly work placement at reputable veterinary hospital pre-arranged by AVT, and
- Home based online eLearning,
- Non-compulsory, practical workshops are also offered throughout the year (additional fees may apply).
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).
Assessments range from written and online assignments and tests, case studies, practical tasks and on-site face-to-face assessments.
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.
Our online eLearning course is a self-paced course, allowing you to study at a pace that suits your lifestyle. As a guide, in order to complete this course within the 2 years, we recommend allocating 1 day per week to practical workplace training plus between 12-16 hours of online study per week.
You will have up to two years to successfully complete all of your training and assessments.
Non-compulsory, practical workshops and assessment sessions are offered throughout the year at our Bentley campus.
Your course content will be delivered online. You will have:-
- access to our online elearning centre.
- access to our qualified educators via phone, email or Skype. Our education team is made up of experienced and working veterinary nurses and veterinarians who have hands-on experience in a range of veterinary hospitals.
- support from our student support team.
In addition to completing your 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 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
Assessments range from
- online assignments and tests,
- case studies,
- oral testing via telephone or Skype,
- video submissions of practical tasks,
- on-site face-to-face assessments (if location permits).
At any time of year to suit you and subject to support from a Veterinary Practice. Visit the 'How to Apply' page to find out more about starting your application.

Looking for more information?
Introduction | Entry Requirements | Course Content | Course Outcomes | Fees and Payment Plan | How to Apply
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.
You must complete the following core units:
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.
You must complete the following compulsory elective units:
Online eLearning students choose from one of the following units:
On-campus students are required to elect ACMSPE302 Provide basic care of birds.
Looking for more information?
Introduction | Entry Requirements | Course Delivery | Course Outcomes | Fees and Payment Plan | How to Apply
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
For more information on Vet Nursing careers and other animal care careers read our article Top 6 Animal Care Careers >>

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?
Introduction | Entry Requirements | Course Delivery | Course Content | Fees and Payment Plan | How to Apply
What are the course fees and what do they include?
Our fees reflect the quality of the continuous tuition and personalised support you receive throughout the program. Here's a few extra pointers about our fees:-
- Our fees include all study materials and consumables. If you are Perth based, we will also organise your work placement for no extra charge.
- Pricing and payment plan options depend on the course delivery option. See below.
- For detailed information on fees visit our Policies Page
- Learn more about the Jobs & Skills WA subsidy program
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing | On-campus Full-time | On-campus Part-time | Supported Online |
---|---|---|---|
Duration | 1 year | 2 years | Max of 2 years studied at your own pace |
Delivery | Classroom and practical training sessions | Classroom and practical training sessions | Online based learning. Plus non-mandatory practical on-campus workshops (fees may apply) |
Attendance | 2 days on-campus, 2 days practical training per week | 1 day on-campus, 1 day practical training per week | Not required. Student schedules practical training to suit, ideally 1 day per week |
Study time | Approx. 8 hours home based online study | Approx. 4 hours home based online study | Approx. 12-16 hours home based online study |
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 | n/a | Non-Perth Residents |
Learning guides | 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 | $15,400 | $7,400 |
Fees Funded students^ | $4,734 ^See important note below | $4,734 ^See important note below | $4,037 ^See important note below |
Fees Funded concession students^ | $2,135 ^See important note below | $2,135 ^See important note below | $1,438 ^See important note below |
Jobs & Skills WA program - 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)
- an Australian citizen; or
- a permanent visa holder or holder of visa subclass 309, 820 or 826; or
- a dependent or spouse of the primary holder of a visa subclass 457.
- Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (subclass 790);
- Temporary Protection Visa (subclass 785); and
- Bridging Visa E holders (subclasses 050 and 051) where they have made a valid application for a visa of subclass 785 or 790.
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 (CT)
AVT students who have been awarded an AVT Animal Studies qualification will receive Credit Transfers for relevant units successfully completed. As a result your overall course fees will be reduced where applicable.
Students who have completed previous relevant studies with an alternative training provider will need to apply for credit transfers. The number of credits will depend on the units of competency successfully completed. Learn more in our FAQ here
Looking for more information?
Introduction | Entry Requirements | Course Delivery | Course Content | Course Outcomes | How to Apply
How to apply
- Step 1 Apply using our online enrolment form.
- Step 2 Your application will be reviewed by one of our team members.
- Step 3 You will be contacted with the result of your application review and inform you of the next steps to take.
- Step 4 If successful after an official interview process, you will receive a formal offer.

Looking for more information?
Introduction | Entry Requirements | Course Delivery | Course Content | Course Outcomes | Fees and Payment Plan
Apply Here Now
Select your course | |
Vet Nursing Online eLearning WA based – Start Today | |
Vet Nursing Online eLearning Non-WA based – Start Today | |
Vet Nursing On-Campus Part-time – Start Mid-year 2020 | |
Vet Nursing On-Campus Full-time – Start February 2020 |
Get tips on how to submit a successful application for Veterinary Nursing here!
Course Commencement Dates
Study Mode | Next Intake | Applications Open | Applications Close | Course Commencement |
---|---|---|---|---|
On-campus Full-time | February 2020 | August 2019 | Round 1 - Mon 2/12/2019 Round 2 - Fri 17/1/2020 | Orientation day Thurs 30/1/2020 **UPDATED** Classes commence Mon 3/2/2020 |
Online eLearning | Commence now | All year | Flexible start date to suit you | |
On-campus Part-time | Mid-year 2020 | Register your interest here |
The AVT Difference
Here's just a handful of reasons why students choose AVT:-
- We know our students by name not by number!
- We are a dedicated animal care college. No plumbing or hairdressing courses here!
- Our students have a high graduation and employment rate
- Employers request our graduates - we are trusted and respected
- Our course material is written by Veterinarians, Veterinary Nurses and Animal Scientists who are employed directly by AVT
- Our insurance policy protects students throughout Australia during their practical training
- We are an independent animal care and veterinary nursing registered training organisation (RTO). We do not have third party arrangements with other training providers to acquire content or distribute qualifications. We develop and deliver our own course material so you get the latest and most up-to-date knowledge.
At AVT, we combine a high standard of theoretical knowledge 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.

What students say about our course

“I began studying the Certificate IV of Veterinary Nursing as a full time student at AVT at the beginning of 2017. I went into the course having never worked in a vet clinic before, and unsure if I would even be a good vet nurse. Luckily AVT has the most incredible lecturers who encouraged and helped me every step of the way & got me into an awesome clinic for my work placement. My work placement clinic ended up hiring me and I am now working my dream job and doing things I would never of thought I’d be able to do in such a short amount of time. The personalised support and encouragement I received from all of the staff at AVT is second to none and I can not thank them all enough for everything they have done for me. Studying at Applied Vocational Training was definitely the best decision of my life!” Rachel Gray 2017 Veterinary Nurse Graduate
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 II in Animal Studies. 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 recommend you search the training.gov.au website for any training organisation you maybe considering.
Read our latest blog articles...
Ten Rewarding Careers that Involve Working with Horses
The Top 4 Reasons to Study Your Course Online
7 tips to juggle work and study in the animal care industry
What is workplace practical training?
What subjects do I need to study at high school for veterinary nursing and why?
Preparing to submit an application for the Veterinary Nursing Perth On-campus course
VET in schools program at AVT – important update
Where to find a job as a Veterinary Nurse in Australia
Top 7 reasons to pursue a career in the veterinary industry
Important changes to Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40412 update to ACM40418) and in Animal Studies