Want a career caring for animals?
When you complete the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing you will be ready for a career as a veterinary nurse, or animal welfare worker.
Gain these skills
- work effectively in a veterinary practice
- provide care to a wide variety of animals
- assist with surgery preparation and procedures
- perform pathology and imaging procedures
- provide post-surgery care and advice
- workplace safety and health
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.
This qualification is directly aligned with priority industry areas where the jobs are today, and into the future. As part of the state government Lower fees, local skills initiative, from 1 January 2020 through to 31 December 2025 you'll only pay half the course fees, capped for each year at $1,200; or $400 (plus resource fee) if you're aged 15—24 or eligible for a concession. Find out more
This course requires vaccination prior to working in our student clinic and police clearance. See the important information tab for instructions.
Entry into this qualification is open to students who:
- hold a Certificate II in Animal Studies OR
- hold a relevant Certificate III or higher level qualification in an animal science discipline OR
- can demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge in a relevant animal science discipline to any of the above qualifications.
- have (or can obtain) a national Police Clearance within the last 12 months (certain offences on your police clearance may affect your registration with the Veterinary Surgeons Board)
Attendance in class
The full-time study mode course runs over two semesters, the part-time study mode course runs over four semesters. Students studying full-time will be required to attend campus 3 days per week for face-to-face classes. Students studying part-time will be required to attend campus 1 day per week. Both study options require a minimum of 1 day (8 hours) per week work placement as a trainee veterinary nurse in a private veterinary practice for the duration of the course. Some units of this qualification may be delivered via blended delivery model which involves both online and face to face learning.
At-home study
As well as the in-class component, you will need to complete approximately 1 day of additional study each week outside of class hours, including private study, assignment preparation, and research.
You will need to have the basic technical requirements for at-home study. If you don’t have access to a computer and WiFi at home, we recommend using our library computers during library hours.
Work placement
Students will be required to complete a minimum of 240 hours (at least one day per week or 8 hours per week) as a trainee veterinary nurse in a private veterinary practice for the duration of their studies. In Western Australia, students are required to be approved by the Veterinary Surgeons Board and be supervised by a registered veterinary surgeon to perform the duties and veterinary services as a trainee veterinary nurse, as set out in the regulations 65 and 66 of the Veterinary Surgeons Regulations of 1979.
Uniforms and workwear requirements: enclosed, non-slip shoes and SM TAFE scrub top and pants.
What you need for your first day of class
On your first day you should bring your SM TAFE confirmation enrolment receipt, your student ID, stationery (pen, pencil, exercise book, eraser, ruler and calculator) and wear enclosed non-slip footwear.
In addition, the following uniform is required to be purchased and worn at all practical activities:
- SM TAFE scrub top and pants - these can be ordered at orientation
A national Police Clearance within the last 12 months (certain offences on your police clearance may affect your registration with the Veterinary Surgeons Board)
Important COVID-19 update
This course includes work placement or live works in a Group 1 or Group 2 industry as outlined in COVID-19 mandatory vaccination policy. For the latest information on vaccine requirements for students visit the COVID-19 updates page.
Please note this list should be used as a guide only as job titles and qualification requirements may vary between organisations.
Work placement is mandatory for completion of this course. SM TAFE will arrange a suitable work placement within industry for you which will involve your attendance at a workplace.
To access free career planning and job search assistance, visit the Jobs and Skills Centres page.
Study options and next steps
Click on your preferred study mode below to get started with your application.
All year round
Traineeship
| When | All year round |
| How | Traineeship |
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE including rules around refunds and withdrawals.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
2022 Apprenticeship/Traineeship fees list
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is available in the list in the document linked above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study. You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Fees for apprenticeships and traineeships are charged at a rate per nominal hour of study. This means that your fees will vary depending on the units you study as part of your training plan. Lower Fees, Local Skills indicative fees do not apply to existing worker trainees.
Apprentices and trainees are liable to pay for their own fees but some industrial agreements (awards) dictate that employers are required to reimburse their apprentice upon receipt of satisfactory progress. An employer may also opt to pay on behalf of the apprentice or trainee.
For more information visit our Apprenticeships and traineeships page.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities. Fully online students are not expected to pay a CDF as they do not attract on campus costs.
Semester 1
Bentley - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Bentley | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE including rules around refunds and withdrawals.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
* Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course in any one calendar year. The annual fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities. Fully online students are not expected to pay a CDF as they do not attract on campus costs.
Bentley - Part time - On Campus
| Duration | 4 Semesters | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 1 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Bentley | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE including rules around refunds and withdrawals.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
* Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course in any one calendar year. The annual fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities. Fully online students are not expected to pay a CDF as they do not attract on campus costs.
Semester 2
Bentley - Full time - On Campus
| Duration | 2 Semesters | ||||||||||||
| When | Semester 2 | ||||||||||||
| Where | Bentley | ||||||||||||
| How | On Campus | ||||||||||||
| Course fee |
|
Indicative fees and charges
Visit our Fees page for all you need to know about fees at SM TAFE including rules around refunds and withdrawals.
Call 1800 001 001 to get a more accurate fee indication based on your eligibility and study plan before applying.
More information about fees – at a glance
Fees and charges published on our website are indicative. The fee for this course is displayed in the table above, showing tuition fees, resource fees and total fees for general and concession fee types for qualifications and skill sets, and one total fee for short courses.
Your fees will depend on your eligibility for government funding or a concession rate, and the units you choose to study or seek to be recognised under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Our Indicative fees lists show fees that are:
-
Based on the full possible study plan of units, including the recommended electives
-
Based on full time study in 2022
-
Charged at the government funded rate for over 18 years of age students
-
Based on unit electives designed to meet localised industry demand for skills
-
* Made up of course fees and resource fees, or RPL fees. Course fees are the cost of your tuition, while resource fees pay for consumables provided to you to aid your study (such as printing and paper). You may also be required to purchase text books or equipment that are not part of our tuition or resource fees. Short course fees include both tuition and resource fees as one total fee.
Fees may vary between students and between educational providers. Other charges may apply.
Lower Fees, Local Skills fee caps
The annual fees cap on Lower fees, local skills qualifications means that regardless of how much course fees are, you will not pay more than a set total amount per qualification or course in any one calendar year. The annual fees cap is set at $400 for eligible concession students, and $1,200 for non-concession students, plus resource fees. If you begin study in Semester 2 and your course runs longer than one semester, you should expect a new calendar year cap to begin in the next semester of your study, as your further study will be considered in a new calendar year.
Skills Ready skill sets
Skills Ready skill sets are free for eligible students. For those who are not eligible, tuition, resource and other fees are payable. Find out more about the initiative.
VET Student Loans
Selected Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth and is only available to students who are eligible. Student Loan fee caps apply. To find out if you are eligible, to see the list of eligible courses or view the loan caps visit our Student Loans page.
International students
Selected courses are available to International students for full time study only. Fees, charges, available locations, applications and enrolment procedures for International students are different to those for students who have Australian permanent residency. For more information or to find a course visit the TAFE International WA website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enrolments are charged at $3.25 per nominal hour of study.
No concession fees apply to RPL enrolments. Refer to the institutional or apprenticeship/traineeship fee list above for an indicative RPL course fee.
To get started with RPL, visit the Recognition of Prior Learning page.
College Discretionary Fee (CDF)
For all on campus and online and on campus students an annual $20 discretionary fee is payable to cover items like security and other onsite facilities. Fully online students are not expected to pay a CDF as they do not attract on campus costs.