Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re WA based, our Blended Learning study mode option for the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is a great online option if you cannot attend campus regularly but are seeking more guidance and interaction with our AVT Trainers and Assessors. 

Virtual classroom sessions are held weekly. You will remotely join a live on-campus classroom session, where course content is delivered by a Trainer and Assessor and will include presentations, class discussions, training videos, industry related scenarios and guest speakers throughout the course. It is an interactive session where you can ask the Trainer and Assessor questions. These sessions complement the course material and help you better understand the content, rather than just reading all the information that is required.

Virtual tutorial sessions are held monthly with your Trainer and Assessor. These Zoom-like sessions (using Teams) are designed to cover particular areas of veterinary nursing, the course material and offer support to a smaller group of online students. These face-time sessions allow you time to speak to your Trainer and Assessor and your fellow classmates directly.  

A relevant topic relating to the units you are studying at the time, is covered each month, and more time is spent answering questions about the assessments, workplace assignments and practical tasks that need to be completed. Useful tips on how to approach each subject area and the associated assessments is also covered.

On-campus workshops are essential hands-on practical training sessions occur during these on-campus workshops spread out over the duration of the course. During these compulsory workshops, you also get to meet with the AVT Trainers and Assessors and your fellow classmates, who you usually only see online.

There are many online training providers offering “Certified” courses in animal care such as the Vet Assistant Certificate, Advanced Certificate in Veterinary Assistant and Animal Welfare, Dog Grooming Certificate, Equine Studies Certificate, Cat Care and Training Certificate, Animal Welfare Certificate and many others. Generally, these online courses are not accredited and therefore not nationally recognised by the Australian Government.

Only nationally accredited certificates offered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Nursing.  RTOs are regulated and audited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority or the relevant State regulator to ensure the course content meets certification standards and the provider complies with the legislation required to deliver the VET Quality Framework.  The best way to find a nationally accredited organisation offering nationally accredited courses is to search training.gov.au. Also, as a general rule, animal care related courses, commence with a code starting with ACM e.g. ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care

There are a number of online trainer providers providing animal care related courses that are not RTO’s and therefore their courses do not meet the prerequisite for ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.  Many of these courses are theory based and do not require you to obtain practical skills or have contact with animals which is essential for the prerequisite.  If you are considering a course in an animal care related area, we highly recommend choosing an accredited course. This ensures your certificate will be recognised by a future employer and you can continue your study pathway to veterinary nursing or another area of study.

For more information about the prerequisite and entry requirements for veterinary nursing visit: Selection Criteria and Entry into Veterinary Nursing