Through this course, you will gain a qualification to become a veterinary nurse or animal welfare worker.
You'll learn how to assist a vet during animal surgery and routine procedures; prepare for anaesthesia; perform pathology and imaging procedures; provide post-surgery care and advice; and work safely. The course also covers vet clinic routines and infection controls; drugs and poisons; and animal nutrition and wellbeing.
The training is very hands on, and includes work placement in a veterinary clinic where you will gain skills and experience working as part of a team and with a range of animals.
Choose a WA TAFE college that delivers this course
To find out more about doing this course at a WA TAFE college, select one of the TAFEs listed below to read their course descriptions. You'll also be able to see at which TAFE campus/es the course is delivered.
If you would like further information such as when the course is available and how to enrol, and details of course fees, or if you have questions about how the course is delivered, please follow the Find out more link to go to the TAFE's website where you will find full course details and contact information so that you can speak to the TAFE directly.
Caring for animals can be your every day at the office.
As the first person that the clients, and the pet patients, will see, it is important that veterinary nurses are trained with high-quality programs, by award-winning, experienced lecturers. This winning combination gives our students the best environment to deepen their knowledge, and hone their skills in communication, empathy, adaptability, and ensure that they are committed to continuous learning.
With a veterinary nursing course at CR TAFE, you’ll learn essential skills required for caring for sick or injured animals, as well as assisting with examination, diagnosis, and surgical procedures. Work in a profession where everyday is different whilst doing exactly what you love to do. As a Vet Nurse you'll work with animals ranging from pocket pets, birds, reptiles, companion animals and livestock or horses, and will have opportunities to work anywhere around our country and the world?
Are you passionate about the care of pets and want to build a career working day to day with a range of animals and creatures great and small? This course will give you the job ready skills to become a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse or Animal Welfare Worker.
Playing an essential role in animal health care, a Veterinary Nurse dedicates their daily work to maintaining and monitoring the welfare and wellbeing of sick animals. Be guided by from our expert team of lecturers who are professionals in the field as you learn how to assist Veterinarians with surgery procedures on animals both pre and post-operation.
Develop clinical skills in administering anaesthesia and medication, radiology (x-ray), dental procedures, nutrition and applying bandages to wounds. Build knowledge of how to nurse animals back to health and providing advice and support to animal caregivers, as well as daily tasks such as keeping equipment clean and sterilised.
Vet nurses are in high demand and you can work in a range of diverse settings such as at a veterinary clinic, animal hospital, specialist clinic, in wildlife rescue or at a zoo.
This course is popular and highly competitive to get into. Please ensure you enter all your work and work experience, both related to the field and unrelated, in your application.
Study in specialist facilities
SM TAFE is the only TAFE to offer a live veterinary clinic open to the general public, staff and students to make bookings for consults and surgeries. The clinic is based at our Bentley campus and allows our training Vet Nurses real-world experience while being supervised by qualified Veterinarians and Vet Nurses.
Students can gain on-the-job skills in animal care with a range of species including dogs, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, lizards, fish, along with an aviary housing various birdlife. The clinic allows development of skills in a safe and supported environment, in preparation for industry work placement.
You can visit the Student Vet Clinic at South Metropolitan TAFE(opens in a new tab) on Facebook.
Choose a private training provider that delivers this course
This course is available from registered training organisations (accredited private training providers) that are also funded through Jobs and Skills WA. Select from the list below, and follow the link to the provider's website for further information about the course and how to enrol.
Passionate about animal care? Consider a fulfilling career as a Vet Nurse with the ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing—the only nationally recognised qualification in the field. This course is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to commence your career as a veterinary nurse. Delivered on-campus for one day per week, the part-time course combines theoretical learning with hands-on experience. All students engage in weekly work placements at veterinary practices, organised by AVT, enhancing practical skills crucial for success. Eligible students may obtain subsidised fees through the Jobs and Skills WA program, part of the Lower fees, local skills initiative, find out more on the AVT website. AVT is a locally owned and operated Registered Training Organisation (RTO 5723) with over 25 years of experience. With an extensive team of Trainer and Assessors who are veterinarians, vet nurses, and animal scientists. Widely endorsed by veterinarians across WA, AVT's courses align with current industry needs and standards.
Delivery location
The information presented on the course lists within this website is provided to the Department of Training and Workforce Development by the WA TAFE colleges and private training providers, and is offered as a guide only. It is updated regularly, however some changes to details may occur in between updates. You should always contact the TAFE or private training provider directly to confirm details and/or ask questions.