Program Overview

New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4)

Programme Overview

Become an Animal Healthcare Assistant, with the skills and knowledge required to work in the animal healthcare sector or to assist veterinary nurses or veterinarians in a clinical veterinary setting. You'll learn a range of clinical and husbandry skills, in both the classroom and work placement settings, for a range of companion animals.

Programme Details

Level

4

Campus

Petone

Start Date

23/02/2026

Duration

1 year, full-time (part-time options available)

Domestic Fees

TBA

Programme Outline

You'll learn about animal communication and behaviour, husbandry and hygiene, and handling and restraints for a variety of companion animals. You'll also learn about infection control, interpersonal relationships and clinical effectiveness.

Graduates of the programme will have the skills and knowledge to assist in the provision of healthcare for animal patients, working under broad supervision or guidance, within their scope of practice.

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration on the New Zealand Register of Animal Healthcare Assistants.

More Detail About This Qualification

This programme is delivered by blended learning, i.e. face to face and online learning. This means some of your lessons may be delivered via Moodle (our online learning platform), which will require you to have a computer and internet access at home.

You will be required to attend two on-campus days each week.

Practicum

You must complete at least 240 hours of practicum during the programme. Weekly placements should be in an animal care facility such as a cattery, kennels, rescue, or doggy day-care. If you are not already working or volunteering in one of these areas, we recommend you arrange a placement close to home. Our staff will assist you if you have difficulty finding a placement.

Placements should be one day a week for at least six hours. Placements can start from the beginning of week four, but only after you have completed your 'Passport to Practicum'.

In Trimester 2, you will be required to complete a block placement at a vet clinic, to achieve a minimum of 80 hours. Please do not book the block placement until you have started the programme.

Courses

• ANML4101: Companion Animal Professionalism and Infection Control (15 credits)
• ANML4102: Companion Animal Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
• ANML4103: Introduction to Companion Animal Husbandry and Behaviour (15 credits)
• ANML4104: Companion Animal Practicum 1 (15 credits)
• ANML4105: Companion Animal Health and Hygiene (15 credits)
• ANML4106: Companion Animal Clinical Assistance (15 credits)
• ANML4107: Companion Animal Preparation for Practice (15 credits)
• ANML4108: Companion Animal Practicum 2 (15 credits)

Course Related Costs

• Uniform: $100
• Placement travel costs: these will vary depending on where you live and where your placements are.

Entry Requirements

• 40 credits at NCEA Level 1, including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits, or a recognised equivalent; OR
• a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2 or above, or a recognised equivalent.

International

• Proven equivalence of entry requirements plus an IELTS score of 5.5 (general or academic) with no individual band lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.

Credit Recognition

If you have relevant skills and knowledge through study or experiences in work or other activities, you may be able to receive credit for them when enrolling in a programme of study. This is done through a process called credit recognition.