Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

About this course

This course will qualify you to work as a Veterinary Nurse providing care to animals.

Veterinary Nurses work under the supervision of registered veterinarians. You will learn how to assist veterinarians during medical and surgical procedures. You will also gain skills to support clients to maintain the health of animals.

You can also choose elective subjects in your areas of interest, for example:

small and large animals
exotic and captive animals
equine care
general care.

Note that the availability of electives may vary depending on your selected training provider.

A minimum number of work placement hours must be completed to achieve this qualification.

This qualification is recognised nationally under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

To gain entry into this qualification, you will need one of the following:
- Certificate II in Animal Studies
- a relevant Certificate III or higher level qualification in an animal science discipline
- demonstrated equivalent skills and knowledge in a relevant animal science discipline.
Contact your preferred course provider to discuss course entry requirements.
This course can be done as a traineeship. You’ll get technical knowledge through coursework and hands-on experience through paid work. On completion you will receive a nationally recognised qualification.

To enrol as a trainee, you’ll need:
1. a job in a relevant workplace in the same field as your course, and
2. an employer willing to sign a Commonwealth Government ‘Training Contract’ and support your learning at work.
To get started:
- contact an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider for information on finding an employer and for ongoing support
- find a course provider that delivers the course as a traineeship.
To get help:
- contact the TAFE and Training Line
- visit our apprenticeships and traineeships page
- visit Apprenticeships Victoria.

Units of study

Core units

Unit title	Unit code
Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work	ACMGAS307
Communicate effectively with clients and team members	ACMGAS308
Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work	ACMINF301
Carry out daily practice routines	ACMVET202
Coordinate veterinary reception duties	ACMVET401
Apply imaging routines	ACMVET402
Perform clinical pathology procedures	ACMVET403
Perform practice office procedures	ACMVET404
Coordinate and perform surgical nursing routines	ACMVET405
Nurse animals	ACMVET406
Carry out medical nursing routines	ACMVET407
Provide nutritional advice and support for animals	ACMVET408
Provide specific animal care advice	ACMVET409
Carry out veterinary dental nursing procedures	ACMVET410
Prepare for anaesthesia and monitor animal anaesthesia and analgesia	ACMVET413
Assist with the preparation of veterinary drugs and poisons	ACMVET416
Contribute to workplace health and safety processes	ACMWHS301

Elective units

Unit title	Unit code
Handle horses safely	ACMEQU202
Apply knowledge of horse behaviour	ACMEQU205
Relate equine anatomical and physiological features to equine health care requirements	ACMEQU401
Determine nutritional needs in provision of horse health care	ACMEQU402
Maintain and monitor horse health and welfare	ACMEQU405
Assist with artificial insemination of mares	ACMHBR304
Carry out procedures for foaling down mares	ACMHBR312
Implant microchip in cats and dogs	ACMMIC401
Provide basic care of amphibians	ACMSPE301
Provide basic care of birds	ACMSPE302
Provide basic care of common native mammals	ACMSPE303
Provide basic care of domestic dogs	ACMSPE304
Provide basic care of domestic cats	ACMSPE305
Provide basic care of marine fish	ACMSPE306
Provide basic care of freshwater fish	ACMSPE307
Provide basic care of marine invertebrates	ACMSPE308
Provide basic care of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates	ACMSPE309
Provide basic care of mammals	ACMSPE310
Provide basic care of non-venomous reptiles	ACMSPE311
Provide basic care of rodents and rabbits	ACMSPE312
Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices	ACMSUS401
Prepare, deliver and review animal care education programs	ACMVET411
Coordinate practice promotional activities	ACMVET412
Nurse foals	ACMVET414
Provide intensive foal care and nursing	ACMVET415
Develop and implement specific practice policies	ACMVET512
Provide First Aid	HLTAID011

Course providers

This course is offered by the following providers. Click on the links to the provider websites for the latest information on course details, fees and how to apply.

Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Charleston Road (Bendigo)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Bendigo TAFE for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Elgar (Box Hill), City (Melbourne), Nelson (Box Hill), Industry, Lilydale Lakeside (Lilydale), Online, Whitehorse (Box Hill)
Delivery modes: Part time on-campus, Full time on-campus
- Visit Box Hill Institute for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Tone Road (Wangaratta)
Delivery modes: Flexible delivery, Full time on-campus, Part time on-campus
- Visit GOTAFE for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Broadmeadows
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit Kangan Institute for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Fairfield
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus, Part time on-campus
- Visit Melbourne Polytechnic for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider
Government funding for eligible students:
Locations: Yallourn (Newborough)
Delivery modes: Full time on-campus
- Visit TAFE Gippsland for course details, fees and how to apply
- Check our FAQs on choosing a course and provider