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  4. Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
QUALIFICATION

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing


 National Code: ACM40418
 TAFE SA Code: TP01154


2025 start

Description

Do you love animals? If you are happiest around dogs and cats, budgies and bunnies, and all other domestic animals, this could be the perfect career for you. Every veterinary clinic needs its team of vet nurses to support the veterinarian. You’ll be offering professional assistance, caring for the animals, and helping with their humans too, with appointments and advice.

Please note: the next intake for the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing – Full Time – Gilles Plains will be Semester 2, 2025. This is due to the 18-month duration of the course and alternate intake cycles to support new and continuing student capacity limits. “Existing Worker” applications remain open for Semester 1 2025.

Award Course Apprenticeships & Traineeships
Duration
Example Career Profile
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18 months 

Full Time or Part Time equivalent

Veterinary Nurse
Veterinary Nurse

Locations & Applications

Competitive Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Gilles Plains

740312

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Full Time
Apply Now

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On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Part Time

Part Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

If there are more applications for this course than places available, applicants will be ranked by date of application to this course.

Existing Worker Applications

Campus / Location
Code
Study Mode
Study Load
Scheduled
Gilles Plains

740300

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Part Time
Apply Now
REGIONAL - Online with practical blocks

740329

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.
Part Time
Apply Now

Icon Legend

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Online

Online – learn at your own pace, in your own space. Lecturer support will be provided via email and interaction with fellow students may be available via forums and chat groups. Online courses require access to a computer with an internet connection.

Blended

Blended – learn in a mixture of classroom and online environments. On campus learning will be scheduled but online learning can provide more flexibility. Lecturer support will be provided for all study. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required.

Virtual Classroom

Virtual Classroom – online classes are delivered by Collaborate. Collaborate is a web-based online classroom collaboration tool that acts as a real-time virtual classroom.

Workplace

Workplace – if you are currently employed in the industry but do not have a formal qualification TAFE SA can recognise the skills you already have. The duration of the course will be determined by your individual study plan.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Part Time

Part Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

International

A course available to International students

Course Admission Requirements

  • Certificate II in Animal Studies or Certificate III or higher in an animal science discipline and
  • Currently working in a veterinary practice as a Veterinary Nurse which includes access to small companion animals for no less than 15 hours per week of paid employment
If there are more applications for this course than places available, applicants will be ranked by date of application to this course.

Please Read Before Applying

Attendance Requirements (subject to change)
REGIONAL - For existing workers wishing to complete this qualification outside the Adelaide Metropolitan area.

Industry Conditions and Skills
You will need good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to stand for long periods and meet physical demands of manual handling, ability to deal with bodily fluids, numeracy skills, basic computer and technology skills and ability to manage own allergies if necessary.

Additional Uniforms, Equipment and Costs
$185.00 for scrub tops, name badge and textbook. You will need to buy and wear uniform black trousers and black enclosed non-slip shoes.

Vocational Placements
Full time students will be required to attend 240 hours of small companion animal veterinary industry placement as well as with shifts in the Pets in Tuition Veterinary Clinic at Gilles Plains campus. Existing worker applicants: Students will need to accrue 240 hours of small companion animal veterinary industry employment during their course.

Fees

Average cost per semester
Total Fees for the 18 month course
Subsidised
$2,154
$6,463
Concession
$1,459
$4,378
You may be eligible for government subsidised training.
Subsidised Training Eligibility
Subsidised training may require applicants to complete a Core Skills Profile Assessment (CSPA).
What is the CSPA?
Full Fee
$4,355
$13,066

Fees vary depending on subjects you enrol into. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to make any changes necessary. Fee updates will be available prior to offers being made.

  • Help with Fees

    Upfront Payment

    Each semester, fees can be paid online with VISA or Mastercard or at an Australia Post outlet.

    Read More

    Payment Plan

    If you have difficulty paying your fees upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

    Read More

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    Job titles include Veterinary Nurse.

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418)
    This qualification provides skills in feeding and watering animals, infection control, reception duties, daily clinic routines, surgery preparation, admission and discharge, imaging, pathology, medical nursing and workplace safety. This course requires access to patients (animals), clients, medical and surgical cases, veterinary staff, and practice policies and procedures. To achieve this qualification, you must have completed at least 240 hours of work placement and are required to complete all 17 core units and 4 elective units.

    Note: Students who successfully complete only one or more units of competency but not the full qualification are eligible to receive a Statement of Attainment.

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Apply imaging routines 90
    Assist with the preparation of veterinary drugs and poisons 60
    Carry out daily practice routines 40
    Carry out medical nursing routines 70
    Carry out veterinary dental nursing procedures 40
    Communicate effectively with clients and team members 30
    Comply with infection control policies and procedures in animal care work 60
    Contribute to workplace health and safety processes 50
    Coordinate and perform surgical nursing routines 120
    Coordinate veterinary reception duties 70
    Identify animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work 100
    Nurse animals 80
    Perform clinical pathology procedures 70
    Perform practice office procedures 40
    Prepare for anaesthesia and monitor animal anaesthesia and analgesia 80
    Provide nutritional advice and support for animals 90
    Provide specific animal care advice 90

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Provide basic care of birds 40
    Provide basic care of common native mammals 40
    Provide basic care of domestic cats 40
    Provide basic care of domestic dogs 40

Further Information

Brochure

Course guide

Brochure

Pre-enrolment Brochure

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
TP01154
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