Veterinary Nursing

Veterinary Nursing is a great study option. Veterinary Nurses provide assistance to Veterinarians, and an important role in animal health care in Australia and around the world. Generally they administer medications to animals under the supervision of a veterinarian, stock medical supplies, maintain and sterilise equipment, keep medical records up-to-date and provide assistance during consultations

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Course Overview

You will learn to carry out veterinary clinic reception duties, help with surgical preparations and procedures, respond to emergencies, take blood tests and x-rays and prepare medicines prescribed by the vet. You will also learn how to provide safe and effective animal care, comply with infection control and maintain equipment. You will gain a comprehensive knowledge of workplace safety, general administration, stock control as well as coordinating consulting and theatre routines.You will be able to advise clients about nutrition, animal care, grooming and parasite control products. You will participate in practical training at the veterinary clinic located on campus.

Certificate

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Course Duration

9 months – 1.5 year

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Intake Dates

Jan, April and July

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Locations

Gold Coast, Sydney and Perth

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Cost

From $8,500

The Course Details

Graduate Outcome

Potential Career Pathways:

Animal Hospital Assistant
Veterinary Nurse
Wildlife Hospital Nurse

Higher Education Opportunities:

Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing
Bachelor of Biology

Common Course Requirements

You will need to have completed year 10, or equivalent. Equivalency can be demonstrated by one of the following:

A qualification at Certificate II level or higher OR
2 years of industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication.

Related Courses

– Nursing

Frequently Asked Questions

In case you don’t find an answer to your question, feel free to consult with one of our agents.

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What do you do as a veterinary nurse?

Veterinary Nurses care for animals under treatment and in temporary residence at veterinary facilities and assist Veterinarians to perform procedures and operations.

Typical tasks a veterinary nurse would do include:

holding animals to allow examination and treatment by Veterinarians
cleaning and sterilising examination tables and equipment
preparing instruments and handing them to the Veterinarian
assisting Veterinarians to administer anaesthetics and oxygen during operations
placing animals in cages for recovery from operations and monitoring their condition
giving medications to animals
maintaining stock control and records
providing animal care advice, and preparing, delivering, and reviewing animal care education programs
may perform diagnostic laboratory tests
may act as receptionist, accept payments and undertake clerical work

Where can I study to be vet nurse in Australia?

You can study to become a vet nurse on The Gold Coast.

How much does a vet nurse get paid?

As per Job Outlook, a qualified vet nurse earns $1,088 a week, on average.

What qualifications do I need to be a vet nurse?

To be a qualified vet nurse in Australia you need to have successfully completed a certificate III in Animal Studies and a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

How much is a veterinary nurse course?

Veterinary courses cost approximately $12,285 per year.

How long does it take to become a qualified vet nurse?

It takes 21 months to complete both the Certificate III in Animal Studies and Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.

What is the study timetable like for veterinary nurse courses?

Timetable information is specific to the Registered Training Organisation.

Note that there is placement for vet nurse courses:

Certificate III in Animal Studies
Stage 1 – 80 hours Work Experience (optional)

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Stage 2 – 120 hours Vocational Placement
Stage 3 – 120 hours Vocational 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. TAFE Queensland may be able to assist in arranging suitable placements.

Completing placement is compulsory, and you will be expected to manage family and work commitments in order to complete your shifts. You may be expected to travel up to one hour to attend your vocational placement facility and will be responsible for all costs associated with attending that facility. Due to limitations on placement availability, TAFE Queensland cannot guarantee proximity to your location.

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

Will these qualifications be recognised in my home country?

These qualifications are part of the Australian Qualification Framework. Most countries, specifically European or North American countries, accept qualifications issued by Australia. So yes, generally speaking, the qualifications will be accepted and allow you to work in your home country. Please note, we would always advise you check specifically with your home country.

What is the difference between a veterinarian, a vet technician and a vet nurse?

Veterinarian
A Veterinarian is qualified to operate on animals. To become a registered Veterinarian in Australia, you need to study for 6-7 years. Firstly, one must complete a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree at an accredited university, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Science.

Veterinary Technician
To become a Veterinary Technician, you need to study a bachelor’s degree of Veterinary Technology. This is often more of an academic path than an applied one, as there are generally fewer clinical roles for veterinary technicians in Australian general practice.

Veterinary Nurse
To become a veterinary nurse, you need to study a package course of Certificate III in Animal Studies, packaged with Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. These courses take 21 months to study. Veterinary Nurses work closely with Veterinarians and often perform higher-level tasks such as aiding with the administration of anaesthesia during surgery, taking and running tests on blood and stool samples, performing dental procedures, preparing animals for surgery, and educating owners on proper aftercare. They also assist with cleaning and sterilising cages.

Is a Veterinary Nurse in demand in Australia?

As per Job Outlook, the number of people working as Veterinary Nurses (in their main job) is about the same as 5 years ago and is expected to grow strongly over the next 5 years from 11,600 in 2018 to 12,700 by 2023. Job openings can come from new jobs being created, but most come from turnover (workers leaving). There are likely to be around 9,000 job openings over 5 years (that’s about 1,800 a year).

How do I get started?

If you complete this questionnaire we’ll be able to send you some detailed information on the course and explain what documents you’ll need for enrolment.

GET IN TOUCH

In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.

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Contact details

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Give us a call

Australia: 0755 265 900
Argentina: (11) 3799-3217
New Zealand: 0800 886071
United Kingdom: 02039 483 865

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Send an email

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Gold Coast Office

2575 Gold Coast Highway,
Mermaid Beach, QLD, 4218

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Study Veterinary Nursing was last modified: May 31st, 2020 by Pathway to Aus

27 Comments

liam cressy on 7 May, 2019 at 12:12 am

Hey can you guys email more info in the course that they offer in brisbane please?
Reply
- Pathway to Aus on 27 June, 2019 at 1:51 pm
  
  Hi Liam , we will send you some courses in Brisbane on a direct email.
  Reply
  - Croydyn D'Cruz on 24 October, 2019 at 8:55 am
    
    Would like some information on this course for Melbourne, Australia.
    Reply
    - Pathway to Aus on 31 October, 2019 at 3:58 pm
      
      Hi, there is no option for vet nursing in Victoria unfortunately
      Reply
Laura on 8 May, 2018 at 5:42 am

Hi there,

Please could I have some more information on this course?

Many thanks,

Laura
Reply
- Nick Yock on 8 May, 2018 at 10:07 am
  
  Hi Laura,
  
  We have emailed you directly.
  
  Kind regards,
  
  PTA Team
  Reply
  - Ebony Dashwood on 7 May, 2019 at 12:06 am
    
    Please could I have some more information on the veterinary nursing course please
    
    Kind regards
    Ebony
    Reply
    - Pathway to Aus on 26 June, 2019 at 4:36 pm
      
      Hi Ebony , We will send you the course information on a direct email
      Reply
Genevieve Adlawan on 31 March, 2018 at 2:38 am

Hello,

My daughter is interested to take the course. She had recently finished her senior high diploma, is she illegible to take this course?

Thanks,
Genny
Reply
- Nick Yock on 3 April, 2018 at 11:00 am
  
  Hi Genny,
  
  We have emailed you directly.
  
  Kind regards,
  
  PTA Team
  Reply
Laura Shenton on 11 January, 2018 at 12:28 am

Please could I have more details about this course emailed over to me?
Reply
- Nick Yock on 11 January, 2018 at 10:59 am
  
  Hi Laura,
  
  We have emailed you with the course information.
  
  Kind regards,
  PTA Team
  Reply
Chiara on 7 January, 2018 at 5:49 am

Hey, I’m very interested in studying this course. Could you please send me more information about this course and how to apply?
Thank you
Reply
- Nick Yock on 8 January, 2018 at 10:27 am
  
  Hi Chiara,
  
  Yes, we have emailed you with the details.
  
  Kind regards,
  PTA Team
  Reply
Anna Shenton on 4 January, 2018 at 10:49 am

Hi
I am very interested in this course in Brisbane, can I please have some more information on it?

many thanks?
Anna
Reply
- Nick Yock on 4 January, 2018 at 3:26 pm
  
  Dear Anna,
  
  Thanks for getting in touch, we have emailed you directly with the course details.
  
  Kind Regards,
  
  PTA Team
  Reply
Maria on 2 January, 2018 at 6:10 am

Hi

Could I have more information on the course please.

Costs, best place to study on a budget

Thank you
Reply
- Nick Yock on 4 January, 2018 at 4:08 pm
  
  Dear Maria,
  
  We have emailed you directly.
  
  Kind regards,
  PTA Team
  Reply
Dave on 28 December, 2017 at 7:07 am

Hi there PTA,
I also want to study vet nursing, could you please send some information about courses provided?
and also any information on student loans for international students? so far I find it hard to come across funding solutions.
many thanks
Reply
- Nick Yock on 4 January, 2018 at 4:58 pm
  
  Hi Dave,
  
  We have emailed you directly.
  
  Kind regards,
  PTA Team
  Reply
Michelle on 14 December, 2017 at 1:02 am

Hiya, could I please have some more information on this course please
Reply
- Nick Yock on 14 December, 2017 at 3:18 pm
  
  Dear Michelle,
  
  We have emailed you directly.
  
  Kind regards,
  
  The PTA Team
  Reply
Jessica on 9 November, 2017 at 3:18 pm

Can you email me more information please?
Reply
- Nick Yock on 9 November, 2017 at 8:26 pm
  
  Hi Paulina,
  
  We have emailed you directly.
  
  Kind regards,
  Team PTA
  Reply
Sandy Cooper on 29 October, 2017 at 7:13 am

Hi ? how much is this course please ?
Reply
Sigourney hilton on 21 October, 2017 at 7:52 am

Could I have more information on this course please
Reply
- Pathway to Aus on 26 October, 2017 at 1:54 am
  
  No problem,
  
  We will email you through some information on the course.
  
  Regards,
  
  PTA TEAM
  Reply

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