Veterinary nurse job description
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed veterinary nurses about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed veterinary nurses about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Physical
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a veterinary nurse
A day in the life of a veterinary nurse can be action-packed and involves working well with both animals and people.
So, what does a vet nurse do day-to-day?
- Triage: performing initial assessments of animals before they see the vet and determine the seriousness of the animal’s needs
- Cleaning and sterilising clinic equipment and work areas
- Preparing consulting rooms before each patient
- Comforting and care for anxious or upset owners
- Monitoring an animal's vital signs while in your care
- Performing minor medical procedures
- Prepare for and assist with surgeries and euthanasia if necessary
- Handling the discharge of the animals and communicate follow-up care instructions with owners
- Feeding, caring for and medicating animals staying at the clinic or veterinary hospital
- Managing stock levels of food, medicines, equipment and accessories for the clinic
- Providing thoughtful and sensitive customer service
- Managing reception tasks, record keeping and administration
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Makes a difference
A role as a vet nurse means aiding in the health and well being of many animals and relieving anxiety for their owners. Whether advising on nutrition or saving a pet’s life, you are part of a team people turn to for help with their beloved pets.
With the opportunity to work with rescue animals or animals that have been in serious accidents or have neurological issues, you could be a huge factor in their rehabilitation.
Enjoyable
Working with animals can spark pure joy. A vet nurse comes face-to-face every day with different animals of all species, all shapes and sizes and all types of personalities.
This job connects you with a community. You get to know owners and their pets personally, build relationships and gain trust with extraordinary animals.
Learning opportunities
Vet nurses are always learning new things while they’re on the job. With a bunch of different animals with different illnesses and injuries, there’ll never be a day you don’t learn something new!
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a veterinary nurse
The future is bright for those looking for roles in vet nursing.
The veterinary nurse job market in Australia has grown significantly and has seen an increase in vet nurses over the past five years. This growth pattern looks set to continue over the next five years.
As an essential service, vet clinics have and will remain open during COVID-19, decreasing the likelihood of the job market seeing any significant changes.
Median salary
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
A vet nurse career could be just the beginning of your life in animal care.
From climbing up the ladder in a veterinary clinic to specialising in specific animal health areas, there are plenty of other roles and career paths at your fingertips.
Some pathways could be:
Mid
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Dental veterinary nurse
Most common qualification: Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (Dental) (ACM50312)
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Emergency care veterinary nurse
Most common qualification: Diploma of Veterinary Nursing
(ACM50219) -
Equine veterinary nurse
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418)
Senior
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Senior veterinary nurse
Most common qualification: Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (ACM50219)
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Veterinary practice manager
Most common qualification: Diploma of Practice Management (HLT57715)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
Working closely with animals and their owners requires soft skills you may have picked up in your life. Your previous jobs might make you more equipped for a role in vet nursing than you realise.
So, what makes a good vet nurse? Here are a few soft skills that are an advantage:
Teamwork
When you work in a vet clinic, you’re working as a team with senior vets, practice managers and receptionists, to name a few. If you have worked in a team environment before and know that you thrive in this co-operating environment, you are well set for a job as a vet nurse.
Time management
Any health clinic works on a tight schedule. Appointments are set to strict time limits, and a lot of work has to happen between each patient. Having good time management skills means you can work efficiently and not hold up operations in the clinic.
Empathy
Any situation or job you have had in your life that has required you to care for another living thing has strengthened your empathy. Often, empathy is an innate part of your personality that is advantageous in many roles.
Communication
Good communication skills with coworkers and customers are valuable in a career as a vet nurse. You need to be thorough in your record-keeping, give senior vets accurate information, and articulate situations and health instructions to pet owners.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
You must learn essential skills in vet nursing through a recognised training organisation and vocational work experience. You need to be assessed on these skills as part of your training program.
What practical skills do veterinary nurses need?
Animal health care, including nutrition, pest control and basic grooming
Safe animal handling and working with anxious or injured animals
Medical nursing including administering drugs, anaesthesia and injections
Veterinary dental nursing procedures
Infection control policies and procedures in animal care
Vet practice administration
First aid
Health and safety
How to become a veterinary nurse
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Study through a registered training organisation:
All vet nurses must have completed a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Entry requirements for this course vary between providers, but most require you to have completed a Certificate II in Animal Studies or have some equivalent vocational training. To specialise as a vet nurse or open up potential career opportunities in supporting specialist veterinarians, you can complete a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing.
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Volunteer or work as an intern:
Many vet nurses may begin their career journey working as animal attendants, volunteering at vet clinics or starting an internship. Once you have shown an ability and competence in the industry, you may have an opportunity to train in other areas of animal care, including basic veterinary nursing tasks under the supervision of senior employees. From here, you can complete the required qualifications with the benefit of prior work experience.
Explore related qualifications
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
As the industry-standard qualification for veterinary nurses in Australia, an ACM40418 Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing enables you to register as a veterinary nurse with no waiting period. The requirements of entry to this course are:
- You have a Certificate II in Animal Studies, or
- You have a relevant Certificate III or higher level qualification in an animal science discipline, or
- You can demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge in a relevant animal science discipline to any above qualifications.
Learn and develop various animal care skills in the course, including clinical and surgical routines. It also covers units on day-to-day clinic duties and administration.
This course is available as an Australian Apprenticeship.
The average course duration is one year full-time and has the option of blended online and in-class formats. Depending on the provider, payment plans are available for course fees, and you may even be eligible for government funding.
3 providers offer this course



Related subjects
Jobs that allow you to help care for and nurture animals come in many forms. Other roles related to vet services are plentiful and always need team players with natural empathetic personalities.
Reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Rachael
Aug 23 2021Making a positive impact on pets and their owners' lives, knowing that I've contributed to their joy.
What are the best parts of the job?
Helping the patients who are extremely unwell and seeing their progress through out their stay. The best part of all is the reunion with their owners and to see the difference that we have made for that patient's life and their family
What's the most challenging part?
Teamwork and attitudes of others. It is an extremely rewarding but challenging workplace and just one person's attitude can dictate the whole day. Try and stay positive and leave your frustrations at the door.
Heidi
Aug 23 2021Fulfilling role where new skills are always learnt.
What are the best parts of the job?
Caring for animals, being able to see pretty immediate outcomes based on your work. Getting through high pressure/high stress situations such as surgery or emergencies is very fulfilling. Room for learning and new skills all the time. No two days are the same.
What's the most challenging part?
Poor pay and lack of career advancement. Long hours. Poor work/life balance.
Katelyn
Aug 23 2021Rewarding but can be challenging at times
What are the best parts of the job?
The rewarding moments when you are able to watch patients recover and be pain free.
What's the most challenging part?
Being understaffed and having a large work load. You also need to be able to control your emotions or detach yourself from certain cases where unfortunately there isn’t anything else you can do to save the patient or make them more comfortable.
Related articles
If a career in veterinary nursing is what you’re after, you can find more insightful industry and short courses information here:
Job cluster: The Carer
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
Vet nursing is a role that would be best suited to the career personality of The Carer.
The Carer prioritises the physical and mental wellbeing of other living things and shows empathy in all aspects of their job. The Carer thrives in roles that work directly with people or animals in a nurturing capacity.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is vet nursing a good career?
If you love seeing animals every day, care about pets’ health, and want to make a difference in the community, vet nursing is a wonderful career.
What skills do you need to become a veterinary nurse?
You need to be able to care for animals and handle them safely, remain calm under pressure and be strong not just physically, but emotionally. If you have a passion for animals, the rest of the skills will follow.
What makes a good veterinary nurse?
A successful vet nurse wants to care for other living things, loves animals, and is interested in medicine. A good vet nurse is also sociable and friendly.
How much does a veterinary nurse earn?
A vet nurse salary in Australia can range from $45-55k per year and up to $70-80k per year if you have specialist skills in surgery, rehabilitation or critical care.
What qualifications do you need to become a veterinary nurse?
To become a vet nurse in Australia, you typically need to complete a Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing, which is a combination of theoretical training and practical work experience. However, you can also undergo a traineeship.