Program Overview

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Course Overview

Develop your career and learn the technical skills valued by the veterinary industry. This course is the nationally-recognised industry qualification for vet nursing and will prepare you to start a rewarding career as a vet nurse.

What Can I Do?

• Veterinary Nurse

Course Outcome

ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

Bridging and Upgrade Programs Available

Our Bridging program option is designed for students who want to progress to the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing but have not completed certain required units from previous study. It provides the opportunity to complete these units before advancing to the Certificate IV.

Similarly, the Upgrade to Certificate IV option is available to students who have already completed the Certificate III in Animal Studies (Vet Nursing stream) and wish to upgrade to the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

Greencross Vets Partnership

TAFE Queensland has partnered with Greencross Vets to deliver the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing to students at various veterinary clinics across Queensland. This course is delivered on-site at selected Greencross Vet clinics throughout Queensland and New South Wales, allowing you to experience hands-on training in real-world facilities.

What You Will Study

The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core and 4 elective units from the list below. You will also be required to undertake 240 hours of vocational placement in an approved setting.

Core Units

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

Elective Units

• ACMGAS301: Maintain and monitor animal health and wellbeing
• ACMGAS303: Plan for and provide nutritional requirements for animals
• ACMSPE304: Provide basic care of domestic dogs
• ACMSPE305: Provide basic care of domestic cats

Ways to Study

• On campus
• On campus with some online

Study Locations

• Greater Brisbane
• Gold Coast

Next Intake

• Start date: 14 Jul 2025
• Duration: up to 1 year

What You'll Pay

• Concession: $8,835
• Subsidised: $9,685
• Full Fee: $12,520

Entry Requirements

Entry into this qualification is open to individuals who:

• hold a Certificate II in Animal Studies
• hold a relevant Certificate III or higher level qualification in an animal science discipline
• can demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge in a relevant animal science discipline to any of the above qualifications.

Resources Required

You will be required to wear:

• long, hard wearing pants (no leggings)
• closed in, comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet for most of the day
• minimal jewellery (stud earrings, no necklaces, no acrylic or false nails, facial jewellery must be removed or taped over)

You must have a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Placement

If you are not currently employed or volunteering in industry, during your course you will be required to complete vocational placement so you can start practising your new skills in a real-world environment. You’ll be required to work shifts determined by your placement provider, and these can include early mornings or late nights, any day of the week, including public holidays.

You are required to complete 240 hours of placement to satisfy this component of your qualification.

Assessment Methods

Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning.

University Pathways

If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfers

Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.