Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
ACM40418
Become a qualified veterinary nurse in just one year with the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418).
Study on campus at UQ Gatton or UQ St Lucia and turn your passion for animals into the practical skills, clinical knowledge and real-world experience to launch your rewarding career.
This nationally recognised qualification will prepare you for the realities of working in veterinary practice.
You'll develop technical skills across:
- clinical pathology
- diagnostic imaging
- surgical nursing
- anaesthesia and analgesia
- veterinary dentistry
- animal nutrition
- infection control
- patient care.
With face-to-face learning at UQ St Lucia or UQ Gatton, you'll practise techniques, work with equipment, learn alongside other aspiring veterinary nurses and be guided and supported by highly skilled trainers.
Not quite ready to apply? Register your interest and we'll send you more details.
How you'll learn
This program is delivered over one year with on campus study from Monday to Wednesday each week.
You’ll receive face-to-face guidance and support from our trainers and apply your learning through hands-on experience with dogs, cats, birds, other mammals and non-venomous reptiles.
Students at UQ St Lucia
Centrally located in Brisbane, UQ St Lucia offers world class spaces and vibrant student life for you to make the most of a city university experience. Plus, you'll complete practical learning through the RSPCA Brisbane Animal Care Campus.
Students at UQ Gatton
Home to purpose-built clinical facilities and a specialised animal hospital, UQ Gatton provides an environment where working with animals is part of campus life. You'll develop skills through using industry standard facilities.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including written work-based portfolios and practical assessments.
Start date
15 February 2027
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.
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
2026 UQ Skills Student Handbook (PDF, 681.9 KB) (includes student support and guidance on fees, withdrawal and other policy information).
You may be able to apply for Career Boost 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.
Subsidised concessional: $5,295
Subsidised non-concessional: $6,884
Full fee without funding: $12,600*
Students are required to pay 30% of the total fee upon enrolment.
*UQ students are eligible for a discount. Contact us to find out more.
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.
To achieve this qualification, you will need to complete 21 units of competency over 3 blocks of study.
| 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 basic care of domestic dogs | ACMSPE316 | ||
| Provide basic care of domestic cats | ACMSPE317 | ||
| Study period 4: Animal care and nursing – mammals | |||
| Provide basic care of mammals | ACMSPE320 | ||
| Study period 5: Provide animal care – wildlife (choose one elective) | |||
| Provide basic care of birds | ACMSPE314 | ||
| Provide basic care of non-venomous reptiles | ACMSPE321 | ||
Work placement: 7 days / 56 hours | |||
| 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: 16 days / 128 hours | |||
| 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: 7 days / 56 hours | |||
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.
Meet Crystal, one of our passionate animal care trainers (YouTube 2m:43s).
Do you have questions?
Check our frequently asked questions to find answers about UQ Skills.
More programs and courses
UQ Skills delivers nationally accredited and unaccredited vocational education, short courses, and industry-specific training.
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.
