Veterinary Nurse Courses
A Veterinary Nurse assists veterinarians in treating animals, monitors their care, performs tests, administers medications, and communicates with pet owners.
AI Exposure
Low
Core skills such as social intelligence and complex physical tasks remain beyond the capabilities of current AI.
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).
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How do I become a Veterinary Nurse
Get qualified to work as a Veterinary Nurse with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
ACM40418
Duration
12 months - 24 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
Become a qualified veterinary nurse with the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418). This hands-on training course teaches you how to assist a vet during animal surgery, prepare for anaesthesia, then nurse and monitor the animals through their recovery. The course also covers: vet clinic routines and infection controls, veterinary drugs and poisons, animal nutrition and wellbeing. To graduate from this nationally recognised training course you must complete 240 hours of work placement.Enquire now...
Career opportunities
Duration
12 months - 24 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
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ACM30321
Duration
12 months - 18 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
Want to work at the zoo or wildlife sanctuary? The Certificate ACM30321 III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care is a pathway to professional and volunteer work as a zoo keeper. Your course begins with an introduction to the safety and biosecurity requirements when working with wild animals. You’ll then learn how to feed and care for the animals, including enrichment activities, capture, restraint, transfer, and monitoring. Enquire now for the full list of zookeeping career competencies and available cou...
Career opportunities
Duration
12 months - 18 months
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
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ACM50219
Duration
9 months - 12 months
The ACM50219 Diploma of Veterinary Nursing is for experienced veterinary nurses needing a higher level of nursing skills, as well as leadership and supervisory experience. This nationally recognised diploma can be completed in just 12-18 months and begins with a solid base of business administration, customer service, communication, and team leadership training. You then choose elective units to complete a career specialisation: vet surgery, animal dental, veterinary emergencies, general vet practice.
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Career opportunities
Duration
9 months - 12 months
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Estimated fee
From $93,900
The Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing equips graduates with advanced clinical skills, preparing them for diverse roles in veterinary clinics and hospitals across private, university, and not-for-profit sectors. This pioneering qualification in Australia fosters exceptional practical expertise and deep academic understanding, ensuring graduates are highly sought-after within the veterinary nursing profession.
Career opportunities
Estimated fee
From $93,900
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Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Veterinary Nurse.
Common questions
How much does a Veterinary Nurse earn?
In Australia, a full time Veterinary Nurse generally earns $1,250 per week ($65,000 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
What are the job opportunities for a Veterinary Nurse?
There are currently 12,100 Veterinary Nurses working in Australia. This number has increased from only 7,900 five years ago. Veterinary Nurses can find work in all regions of Australia.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
How do I become a Veterinary Nurse?
If you’re planning to become a Veterinary Nurse you could enrol in a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. This 12 month course includes a work placement so you’ll get real world experience. The course covers various aspects of veterinary nursing from helping a vet during a surgical procedure to assisting animals to recover from injury.
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Browse here online for the latest courses in horse care, animal grooming, equestrian sports, veterinary nursing, animal behaviour, and pet shop management.
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Gain practical skills to work in kennels or catteries, providing love, grooming, and safety to animals. Check your funding eligibility and apply today.
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These courses don’t just teach you how to catch and euthanise stray animals, you will learn underpinning state legislation and local government regulations, safety management approaches, and incident response.
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These nationally recognised qualifications will teach you the finer points of animal behaviour and refine your skills in behaviour correction.
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More information
A Veterinary Nurse assists with many of the daily operations at a veterinary surgery. You might have to help veterinarians while they treat an animal or be part of surgical procedures. Your role might involve monitoring animals being treated at a vet surgery, performing necessary tests or giving animals medication. A Veterinary Nurse might have to clean equipment or cages or liaise with animal owners about the care of their pets.
Veterinary Nurses need to be passionate about animal care and have excellent animal handling skills. You’ll need to be comfortable caring for animals with a range of temperaments or who may be distressed or aggressive due to an injury or medical condition. You’ll be assisting with all sorts of veterinary procedures and surgeries so this is not a role for the faint hearted. You’ll need to be able to work as part of a team and have good communication skills when dealing with colleagues or pet owners.
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