This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
This qualification reflects the role of a veterinary nurse who works under the supervision of a registered veterinarian to provide nursing care to animals, to support veterinarians to carry out medical and surgical procedures, and to support clients to maintain health of animals.
The Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing requires access to patients (animals), clients, medical and surgical cases, veterinary staff, and practice policies and procedures.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed at least 240 hours of work placement as detailed in the Assessment Requirements of the relevant units of competency.
The scope of practice for veterinary nurses is determined by state and territory legislative and regulatory requirements. Users of this qualification must refer to the relevant legislation and regulations in the development of training and assessment strategies.
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Financial help
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Government funding is available for this course. Check your eligibility for:
*To be eligible for this funding, you have to do a traineeship.
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are not available
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You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Completing this course through a traineeship can help you to learn the skills you need.
This traineeship is available:
This course has 240 mandatory work placement hours.
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Entry requirements
This course has entry requirements. See more information at the National Training Register
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Through traineeship:
3 years - Qualification only:
6 months – 2 years
- Through traineeship:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Apply imaging routines | Core |
| Assist with the preparation of veterinary drugs and poisons | Core |
| Carry out daily practice routines | Core |
| Carry out medical nursing routines | Core |
| Carry out veterinary dental nursing procedures | Core |
| Communicate effectively with clients and team members | Core |
| Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | Core |
| Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | Core |
| Coordinate and perform surgical nursing routines | Core |
| Coordinate veterinary reception duties | Core |
| Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work | Core |
| Nurse animals | Core |
| Perform clinical pathology procedures | Core |
| Perform practice office procedures | Core |
| Prepare for anaesthesia and monitor animal anaesthesia and analgesia | Core |
| Provide nutritional advice and support for animals | Core |
| Provide specific animal care advice | Core |
| Apply knowledge of horse behaviour | Elective |
| Assist with artificial insemination of mares | Elective |
| Carry out procedures for foaling down mares | Elective |
| Coordinate practice promotional activities | Elective |
| Determine nutritional needs in provision of horse health care | Elective |
| Develop and implement specific practice policies | Elective |
| Handle horses safely | Elective |
| Implant microchip in cats and dogs | Elective |
| Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices | Elective |
| Maintain and monitor horse health and welfare | Elective |
| Nurse foals | Elective |
| Prepare, deliver and review animal care education programs | Elective |
| Provide basic care of amphibians | Elective |
| Provide basic care of birds | Elective |
| Provide basic care of common native mammals | Elective |
| Provide basic care of domestic cats | Elective |
| Provide basic care of domestic dogs | Elective |
| Provide basic care of freshwater fish | Elective |
| Provide basic care of mammals | Elective |
| Provide basic care of marine fish | Elective |
| Provide basic care of marine invertebrates | Elective |
| Provide basic care of non-venomous reptiles | Elective |
| Provide basic care of rodents and rabbits | Elective |
| Provide basic care of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Provide intensive foal care and nursing | Elective |
| Relate equine anatomical and physiological features to equine health care requirements | Elective |
Job prospects
The Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Agricultural Technician
ANZSCO 311111
Agricultural Technicians perform tests and experiments, and provide technical support to assist Agricultural Scientists in areas such as research, production, servicing and marketing.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Veterinary Nurse
ANZSCO 361311
Veterinary Nurses care for animals under treatment and in temporary residence at veterinary facilities and assist Veterinarians to perform procedures and operations.
Recommended education level:
Certificate III or IV
Training providers delivering Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
This course has a mandatory work placement. Skills Assure Suppliers help you to arrange a work placement. This service may not be available through other training providers.
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TAFE QUEENSLAND (RTO code 0275)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Animal Industries Resource Centre (RTO code 31424)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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TAFE NSW (RTO code 90003)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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UQ SKILLS (RTO code 1511)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Applied Vocational Training (RTO code 5273)
Contact this provider
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Australian Animal Care Institute Pty Ltd (RTO code 45823)
Contact this provider
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Brisbane College of Australia (RTO code 31315)
Contact this provider
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CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY (RTO code 0373)
Contact this provider
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Dog Trainer Academy (RTO code 41462)
Contact this provider
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gotafe (RTO code 3094)
Contact this provider
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Greenwood Academy Animal care and Agriculture (RTO code 45916)
Contact this provider
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Halo Nation Training Pty Ltd (RTO code 32485)
Contact this provider
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Open Colleges (RTO code 90796)
Contact this provider
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TAFE SA (RTO code 41026)
Contact this provider
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The Animal Academy Pty Ltd (RTO code 45907)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.