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Vet Assistant Certificate

Short Course
This is a short course focused on skill based training rather than a nationally accredited certificate or diploma.

Do you love animals? Have you always thought about working with animals professionally? But not sure where to start? Then our Vet Assistant course is perfect for you! This Vet Assistant course is the ideal starting point for anyone who is looking to wo...

Study Method Online
Location Anywhere
Job Outcomes Veterinary reception and gen... +6

Animal Health & Veterinary Care Foundations

Short Course
This is a short course focused on skill based training rather than a nationally accredited certificate or diploma.

Get ready to turn your love for animals into a rewarding career! Go behind the scenes with animal and veterinary care experts at RSPCA Queensland and other leading organisations. Find your passion as you learn about every aspect of animal health and ca...

Study Method Online, Virtual
Location Anywhere
Job Outcomes Animal Care Attendant +7

Vet Assistant Advanced Certificate

Working as a vet assistant can be rewarding and yet it’s also a highly skilled field that demands the highest quality skills and knowledge. You can gain these skills and get a competitive edge that will set you apart to employers with this certificate...

Study Method Online
Location Anywhere
Job Outcomes Animal breeding +5

Wildlife Veterinary Assistant Advanced Certificate

Short Course
This is a short course focused on skill based training rather than a nationally accredited certificate or diploma.

Do you love animals? Are you passionate about caring for and working with wildlife? Are you interested to learn more about how to conserve wildlife and their habitats? Then this course is for you. This introductory course is designed for anyone who wor...

Study Method Online
Location Anywhere
Job Outcomes Veterinary Assistant +8

Wildlife Veterinary Assistant Certificate

Short Course
This is a short course focused on skill based training rather than a nationally accredited certificate or diploma.

Wildlife Conservation and Animal Healthcare are the two key skills necessary to work in this exciting industry. In this Wildlife Veterinary Assistant course, you will learn about general animal healthcare, first aid and rehabilitation, taking you throu...

Study Method Online
Location Anywhere
Job Outcomes Specialist vet support roles +3

Pet Care & Vet Assistant

Short Course
This is a short course focused on skill based training rather than a nationally accredited certificate or diploma.

Become a qualified Pet Care / Vet Assistant. The course provides an opportunity to interact with and learn from very successful, highly qualified and experienced professionals. It also allows you to enter into a profession that continues to grow and pr...

Study Method Online
Location Anywhere
Job Outcomes Veterinary Assistant +5

Veterinary Nursing in Australia

For those who love being surrounded by their best furry friends every day, this is the career for you. It is one of the most challenging, interesting, and thoroughly rewarding careers available, and is in high demand all throughout Australia, especially in regional areas. The art of giving care and comfort to sick and injured animals in various clinical locations, from hospitals to houses to the outback! If you are wondering how to become a veterinary nurse, look no further. We have all the information you need to find out where this wonderful career could lead you.

Careers in Veterinary Nursing

The major areas for careers in veterinary nursing are New South Wales (36%), Victoria (26%) and Queensland (21%). With an average working week of 39.2 hours, and an average veterinary nursing salary is $41,600.  This makes it a career that is capable of being a sustainable option for any individual. The average age of professionals working as veterinary nurses is 29 years old, and 99.1% of all veterinary nurses are women. Some of the jobs that veterinary nursing graduates often work in animal hospital assistant and wildlife hospital nurse roles.

There’s plenty of careers in Veterinary Nursing and Animal Care, including:

  • Veterinarian
  • Veterinary Nurse
  • Animal Clinic Assistant
  • Animal Carer
  • Kennel or Cattery Manager
  • Animal Trainer
  • Zookeeper

How to Become a Veterinary Nurse

If you’re new to the industry, there are a few steps you might need to take to become a Vet Nurse. The usual education pathway starts with entry into the industry, usually as a student veterinary nurse who will assist other professionals in clinics. During this crucial work placement, many student Vet Nurses will undergo a Certificate II in Animal Studies or another Certificate in an Animal care and assistance area. This can lead onto a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, which upon completion can lead to you becoming a Qualified Veterinary Nurse, recognized under the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia. To take your career to even further heights, a Diploma of Veterinary Nursing can ensure you have what it takes to give the utmost care for animals and one day even manage your own Veterinary Clinic.

Industry Outlook

With over 25 million pets across Australia, and with almost all of these requiring veterinary care, it is one of the best countries in the world to be a veterinary nurse. Whilst there is great demand for pet care, there are only limited veterinary nursing jobs forecast to be available. Only 5,000 new roles are expected to open over the next three years, with those positions inevitably going to the most experienced, or most qualified applicants. Almost half of all veterinary nurses hold either a Certificate III or a Certificate IV qualification. There is potential for a highly-qualified graduate from an area such as equine science to secure a promising position and kick start their career ahead of the pack.

Veterinary Nursing Courses

Whether you want to study veterinary nursing online or want to land your dream trainee Veterinary Nursing job, there are courses available for you. Whether you are looking for veterinary nursing courses in Melbourne or Sydney,  there are options for even the busiest schedule. Regardless of your capabilities, prior knowledge, or previous history; there’s a way to gain world-class veterinary nursing qualifications for you.

Certificate Courses

If you’re looking to get started in an entry-level role, look no further than the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. These can often be done fully online, and are flexible enough to work around everyone’s requirements and time commitments. There are many vet nursing courses at TAFE throughout the country, as well as other veterinary nursing courses online for you to choose from.

Bachelor Degree

A popular course is the Bachelor of Equine Science, covering all the required knowledge for a career in equine studies. If you dream of working with horses, this is the course for you. Not only will it teach you everything you need to know about nutrition, rehabilitation, welfare and behaviour of horses, but also will give you a strong insight into the best practices when it comes to managing and training them.

The course also offers you a chance to explore the scientific and practical aspects of the horse industry. You can also choose to gain an insight into the social and community issues surrounding the horse industry. Many of these skills are transferable to a career as a veterinary nursing career, as you will learn how to deal with animals.

Necessary Skills and Responsibilities

Daily tasks in a veterinary nursing career can include activities such as:

  • Feeding
  • Administering medicine
  • Cleaning and sterilizing equipment and areas
  • Diagnosing and assessing conditions
  • Providing care before, during and post-operations to animals
  • Communicating to pet owners who may be anxious and loving towards their sick animals
  • Keep supplies stocked

The most important skills to possess if you wish to enter the veterinary nursing profession are strong listening, monitoring and speaking skills. These will be critical for dealing with distressed pet-owners, and pets alike. You will also need to be good at reading comprehension, critical thinking, and perceiving things in a tough social environment.

Quality service skills are also useful, as you will often be the face of the company for the customers. As you are providing care to sick animals you may need to deal with erratic and unpredictable animals, so being quick on your feet and physically fit is essential. Working hands on, with animals can be a demanding task, but it is just as rewarding, if not more!

If this sounds like you, or someone who you would like to be, stop thinking and start acting! Find your dream career now by searching our courses in veterinary nursing to find the perfect fit for you.