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 and assessments 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.

This format allows you to focus on building 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

This short course is non-accredited and doesn’t form part of a nationally recognised qualification.

However, it has been carefully developed by experienced wildlife carers and veterinary professionals to give you practical, up-to-date knowledge in caring for Australia’s native mammals.

• It’s an excellent introduction for anyone new to wildlife care, rehabilitation or rescue, or for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of how to care for native species.
• You’ll learn how to identify common native mammals, recognise signs of stress or illness, and provide appropriate feeding, housing and handling — all essential skills for anyone interested in helping native animals.
• Many students use this course to enhance their skills as volunteers in wildlife rehabilitation.

This course is a valuable way to explore your passion, build your confidence, and gain meaningful knowledge you can apply in real wildlife care settings.

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