ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

If you’re WA based, our Blended Learning study mode option for the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is a great online option if you cannot attend campus regularly but are seeking more guidance and interaction with our AVT Trainers and Assessors. 

Virtual classroom sessions are held weekly. You will remotely join a live on-campus classroom session, where course content is delivered by a Trainer and Assessor and will include presentations, class discussions, training videos, industry related scenarios and guest speakers throughout the course. It’s an interactive session where you can ask the Trainer and Assessor questions. These sessions complement the course material and help you better understand the content, rather than just reading all the information that is required.

Virtual tutorial sessions are held monthly with your Trainer and Assessor. These optional Zoom-like sessions (using Teams) are designed to offer support to a smaller group of online students. These face-time sessions allow you time to speak to your Trainer and Assessor and your fellow classmates directly. You can attend these sessions if you have questions about any aspects of the course, including questions about the assessments, workplace assignments and practical tasks that need to be completed in practice. Useful tips on how to approach each subject area and the associated assessments can also be discussed.

On-campus workshops are essential hands-on practical training sessions occur during these on-campus workshops spread out over the duration of the course. During these compulsory workshops, you also get to meet with the AVT Trainers and Assessors and your fellow classmates, who you usually only see online.

There are many online training providers offering “Certified” courses in animal care such as the Vet Assistant Certificate, Advanced Certificate in Veterinary Assistant and Animal Welfare, Dog Grooming Certificate, Equine Studies Certificate, Cat Care and Training Certificate, Animal Welfare Certificate and many others. Generally, these online courses are not accredited and therefore not nationally recognised by the Australian Government.

Only nationally accredited certificates offered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Nursing.  RTOs are regulated and audited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority or the relevant State regulator to ensure the course content meets certification standards and the provider complies with the legislation required to deliver the VET Quality Framework.  The best way to find a nationally accredited organisation offering nationally accredited courses is to search training.gov.au. Also, as a general rule, animal care related courses, commence with a code starting with ACM e.g. ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care

There are a number of online trainer providers providing animal care related courses that are not RTO’s and therefore their courses do not meet the prerequisite for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.  Many of these courses are theory based and do not require you to obtain practical skills or have contact with animals which is essential for the prerequisite.  If you are considering a course in an animal care related area, we highly recommend choosing an accredited course. This ensures your certificate will be recognised by a future employer and you can continue your study pathway to veterinary nursing or another area of study.

For more information about the prerequisite and entry requirements for veterinary nursing visit: Selection Criteria and Entry into Veterinary Nursing

The ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing qualification requires ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care 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 to any of the above qualifications.

If you do not have any experience working with animals, you will need to complete either a Certificate II in Animal Care  or Certificate III in Animal Care Services or a similar course. You can learn more on our detailed veterinary nurse course entry requirements page.

Other articles of interest include:

• What qualifications do you need to become a veterinary nurse?
• What subjects do I need to study at high school for veterinary nursing and why?
• Preparing to submit an application for our Veterinary Nursing course
• Top 7 reasons to pursue a career in the veterinary industry
• What age do I have to be to commence the Veterinary Nursing course?

There are many online training providers offering “Certified” courses in animal care such as the Vet Assistant Certificate, Advanced Certificate in Veterinary Assistant and Animal Welfare, Dog Grooming Certificate, Equine Studies Certificate, Cat Care and Training Certificate, Animal Welfare Certificate and many others. Generally, these online courses are not accredited and therefore not nationally recognised by the Australian Government.

Only nationally accredited certificates offered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Nursing.  RTOs are regulated and audited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority or the relevant State regulator to ensure the course content meets certification standards and the provider complies with the legislation required to deliver the VET Quality Framework.  The best way to find a nationally accredited organisation offering nationally accredited courses is to search training.gov.au. Also, as a general rule, animal care related courses, commence with a code starting with ACM e.g. ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care

There are a number of online trainer providers providing animal care related courses that are not RTO’s and therefore their courses do not meet the prerequisite for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.  Many of these courses are theory based and do not require you to obtain practical skills or have contact with animals which is essential for the prerequisite.  If you are considering a course in an animal care related area, we highly recommend choosing an accredited course. This ensures your certificate will be recognised by a future employer and you can continue your study pathway to veterinary nursing or another area of study.

For more information about the prerequisite and entry requirements for veterinary nursing visit: Selection Criteria and Entry into Veterinary Nursing

Unfortunately a non-animal science based university or college qualification does not meet the prerequisite for this course. You will need to show evidence of knowledge in animal care or animal studies.

Examples of tertiary qualifications that will NOT meet the prerequisite include:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Psychology
• Bachelor of Education
• Bachelor Health Sciences
• Bachelor of Information Technology
• Bachelor of Law
• Bachelor of Commerce.

Please refer to our the FAQ ‘What other animal science related qualifications are relevant and are deemed equivalent to the Certificate II in Animal Care?‘ for qualifications that do qualify for recognition.

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
• ACM30121 Certificate III in Animal Care Services
• ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services
• 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
• ACM40322 Certificate IV in Animal Behaviour and Training
• 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:

1.  Work health and safety risks in an animal care facility
2.  Animal identification, handling and behaviour
3.  Animal nutrition (prepare, present and distribute food and water for animals under supervision and according to animal dietary requirements)
4.  Animal hygiene routines
5.  Animal husbandry and health routines.

As a guide, examples of other qualifications involving animals that may meet equivalency include commencement or completion of degrees in areas such as:

• Animal Science
• Zoology
• Animal Conservation e.g. Wildlife and Conservation
• Animal Management
• Agriculture

If you cannot provide sufficient evidence to prove you meet the prerequisites, we will then work with you to establish a pathway for entry into the course.

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 provide information about previous experience. See our separate FAQ on ‘What evidence do you need of my workplace related skills and knowledge?’.

If you have successfully completed the ACM20121 Certificate in Animal Care or a directly equivalent qualification you can complete the full application form. Here’s a few things you will be asked about:

• Proof of completion for Certificate II in Animal Care 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 want to know why you want to study and work as a veterinary nurse. You’ll need to write at least 250 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. Please note, your statement should not exceed 500 words. 

You will be required to complete an online application form to apply for the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing course. This form includes questions about your previous knowledge and skills as well as other qualifications you have completed.

Meeting the compulsory prerequisite or equivalency does not guarantee entry into AVT’s ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing course. Once prerequisites have been met, prospective students may then apply for entry in to the course and are subject to the course selection criteria as described here.

If your skills and knowledge are deemed equivalent, this does not mean you will be awarded a Certificate II in Animal Care/Studies. Nor does it guarantee you entry into this course. AVT normal selection criteria applies for all courses.

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.

Equivalency of the prerequisite qualification, Certificate II in Animal Care/Studies may include relevant employed or voluntary (work experience) positions in a range of animal care facilities.

You will be asked to demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge in the following five areas:

1. Work health and safety risks in an animal care facility
2. Animal identification, handling and behaviour
3. Animal nutrition (prepare, present and distribute food and water for animals under supervision and according to animal dietary requirements)
4. Animal hygiene routines
5. 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, e.g., 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 Work, 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

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 a 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 a Certificate II in Animal Studies/Animal Care (fees may apply).