Entry into this qualification is open to students who:

• hold a Certificate II in Animal Care or Certificate III in Animal Care Services
• 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 Practice Board)

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 full-time course. With assistance from the SM TAFE health placement team, you will be responsible for organising a suitable work placement within the industry, which will involve attendance at a veterinary clinic. Further information regarding Industry work placement and required documentation is provided at orientation. 

To access free career planning and job search assistance, visit the Jobs and Skills Centres page.

Work placement is mandatory for completion of this part-time course. To meet the training and assessment requirements of this qualification the part-time study option is open to local students employed or volunteering in a private veterinary clinic for a minimum of two days per week (15 hours) as a student veterinary nurse for the duration of your studies (2 years). Evidence of work placement in a veterinary hospital is required at the application stage for the part-time study option.  

Attendance in class

The full-time study mode course runs over two semesters (1 year). Students will be required to attend campus 3 days per week for face-to-face classes and a minimum of 1 day (8 hours) per week work placement as a student veterinary nurse in a private veterinary practice for the duration of the course. Some units of this qualification may be delivered via a blended delivery model which involves both online and face-to-face learning. In addition to this, 1 day a week will need to be dedicated to at-home study, research and theory assessment work.

The part-time study mode course runs over four semesters (2 years). Students will be required to attend campus 1 day per week for face-to-face classes and a minimum of 2 days (15 hours) per week in a private veterinary practice for the duration of the course. In addition to this, 1 day a week will need to be dedicated to at-home study, research and theory assessment work.      

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 online lectures, assessments and additional resources will be supplied to students through SM TAFE’s learning management system (LMS), Blackboard.

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

To achieve this qualification through full-time study, students will be required to complete a minimum of 240 hours (at least one day per week or 8 hours per week) as a student veterinary nurse in a private veterinary practice for the duration of their studies.  

The part-time study option is open to local students employed or volunteering in a private veterinary clinic for a minimum of two days per week (15 hours) as a student veterinary nurse for the duration of your studies (2 years). To achieve this qualification students will be required to complete a minimum of 240 hours per academic calendar year as a student veterinary nurse in a private veterinary practice for the duration of their studies.

In Western Australia students are required to be authorised by the Veterinary Practice Board of WA and supervised by a registered veterinarian to perform the duties and veterinary services of a student veterinary nurse, as set out in the Regulations 23 and Schedule 5 of the Veterinary Practice Regulations 2022. 

Uniforms and workwear requirements for both full-time and part-time studies are: enclosed, non-slip shoes and an 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
• the original copy of your academic statement and certificate of your pre-requisite qualification
• National Police Clearance
• your student ID, stationery (pen, pencil, exercise book, eraser, ruler and calculator)
• wear enclosed non-slip footwear
• Your own device (laptop or tablet).

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

Students need to supply a National Police Clearance, which was obtained in the last 3 months (certain offences on your police clearance may affect your authorisation with the Veterinary Practice Board).

Students are also responsible for purchasing: Aspinall's Complete Textbook of Veterinary Nursing, 3rd Edition.

The part-time study option has an application pack (517 KB) (PDF document - opens in a new tab) that needs to be completed and only has a January intake.