Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
ACM40418
Nationally accredited
qualification
18 months
Online learning +
work placements
Government subsidised
places
Gain clinical skills and industry knowledge with the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing ACM40418.
This industry-based, nationally recognised qualification will provide you with the clinical skills to care for animals, as well as a foundational knowledge of veterinary practice procedures.
You’ll learn how to:
- support hospitalised animals
- perform clinical pathology procedures
- assist with surgery
- prepare equipment and animals for x-rays
- carry out veterinary dental nursing procedures.
How you'll learn
This program is offered over 18 months, through a combination of online study, on-campus training workshops and workplace experience.
Our teachers will support you via video conference, phone or online chat sessions.
You can also complete this program as a traineeship.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through written assessments, skills portfolios, online quizzes and practical demonstrations.
Start dates
- 28 April 2025
- 28 July 2025
- 27 October 2025
You must hold either of the following qualifications, or be able to demonstrate equivalent skill and knowledge in a relevant animal science discipline:
- Certificate II or III in Animal Care Services
- another relevant Certificate.
All UQ Skills programs require access to a computer with a Windows operating system, up-to-date versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader, and a reliable internet connection.
Work Integrated Learning
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is an essential part of this program.
WIL is a placement you complete with an employer related to your field of study. This is your opportunity to put your skills into practice in a real workplace and gain experience for your resume to gain a head start upon graduation.
You’ll need access to a suitable workplace, as assessed by UQ Skills, before starting your first WIL block. This can be on an employed or volunteer basis to meet the vocational placement requirements and you will be provided guidance and support on how to engage with this process during your studies.
Read our blog post on finding work placement
Vaccination requirements
As you'll be exposed to animals and agricultural environments as part of your learning, immunisations against tetanus are mandatory. You'll need to provide evidence of immunisation before you commence your program.
You may also require vaccination against Q fever, lyssavirus, rabies or influenza (flu), depending on the work and environment within which you interact with animals.
If you fail to complete mandatory requirements, this may affect your ability to fulfil the inherent requirements of your program.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) testing
You’re required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy test as part of the enrolment process. This helps us identify and plan for any learning or support needs you may have before you start your training.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have recent work experience you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning.
Create your USI
You must provide a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before we can accept your enrolment.
Resources
2025 UQ Skills Student Handbook (PDF, 2.5 MB) (includes student support and guidance on fees, withdrawal and other policy information).
Higher Level Skills program
You may be able to apply for Higher Level Skills funding to receive a partial payment towards this program.
You will need to contribute to the cost of your training through a co-contribution fee:
- Enrolment fee (upfront, non-refundable): $1000
- Concessional: $1,680
- Non-concessional: $3,290
- Full fee without funding: $8,650 (UQ students are eligible for a discount).
Payment plans
You can pay for this program over 6 months, as part of a monthly payment plan. We’ll send you your first invoice after your start date. Payment plans incur a 10 per cent processing fee.
To achieve this qualification, you will need to complete these units over 18 months.
| Study period 1: Professional practice A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Communicate effectively with clients and team members | ACMGAS308 | ||
| Study period 2: Animal Science and work ready nursing | |||
| Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work | ACMGAS307 | ||
| Contribute to workplace health and safety processes | ACMWHS301 | ||
| Study period 3: Animal care and nursing - cats and dogs | |||
| Provide general care of domestic dogs | ACMSPE304 | ||
| Provide general care of domestic cats | ACMSPE305 | ||
| Study period 4: Animal care and nursing - mammals | |||
| Provide basic care of mammals | ACMSPE310 | ||
| Study period 5: Provide animal care - wildlife (choose one elective) | |||
| Provide basic care of birds | ACMSPE302 | ||
| Provide basic care of non-venomous reptiles | ACMSPE311 | ||
Work placement 1: 72 hours (about 9 days) | |||
| Study period 6: Clinical testing and screening | |||
| Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work | ACMINF301 | ||
| Apply imaging routines | ACMVET402 | ||
| Perform clinical pathology procedures | ACMVET403 | ||
| Study period 7: Advanced veterinary nursing | |||
| Nurse animals | ACMVET406 | ||
| Carry out medical nursing routines | ACMVET407 | ||
| Assist with the preparation of veterinary drugs and poisons | ACMVET416 | ||
| Carry out veterinary dental nursing procedures | ACMVET410 | ||
| Carry out daily practice routines | ACMVET202 | ||
| Study period 8: Clinical and surgical nursing | |||
| Assist with the preparation of veterinary drugs and poisons | ACMVET416 | ||
| Coordinate and perform surgical nursing routines | ACMVET405 | ||
| Prepare for anaesthesia and monitor animal anaesthesia and analgesia | ACMVET413 | ||
Work placement 2: 136 hours (about 17 days) | |||
| Study period 9A: Advanced nutrition and care | |||
| Provide specific animal care advice | ACMVET409 | ||
| Provide nutritional advice and support for animals | ACMVET408 | ||
| Study period 9B: Professional practice B | |||
| Coordinate veterinary reception duties | ACMVET401 | ||
| Perform practice office procedures | ACMVET404 | ||
Work placement 3: 72 hours (about 9 days) | |||
Credit transfers
Our study periods are made up of units of competency so you can apply what you’ve learned in a real-world context.
If we approve your credit transfer for one unit within a study period, we will waive your fee for that unit. In your assessment for the study period, you’ll have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve previously acquired.
If we approve credit transfers for all your units within a study period, you won’t need to complete the study period.
We do this so you can transfer your credits and successfully learn and be assessed in this program.
Careers
On completion of this qualification, you will be able to apply workplace health-and-safety and quality-assurance practices to industry standards and be able to perform the duties of a veterinary nurse working under minimal supervision.
You may find employment as:
- veterinary nurse
- equine veterinary nurse
- equine dental service provider.
Meet Crystal, one of our passionate animal care trainers (YouTube 2m:43s).
Disclaimer
Details are correct at the time of upload and are subject to change. UQ Skills reserves the right to change programs, subjects or costs or to cancel a program based on consideration of student numbers and resource allocation. Ensure that you understand the program, subjects, associated costs and fee liability prior to signing an enrolment form.
