Welcome to ACM40418 – Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing

This course is designed for those who want to work as qualified veterinary nurses, supporting registered veterinarians in caring for animals. You’ll gain the skills to assist with medical procedures, surgery, and client education to help maintain the health and well being of animals.

You'll will gain access to a real or simulated veterinary practice environment with animals, clients, surgical and medical cases, and veterinary staff to complete the practical components of this course.

 

What You’ll Be Able to Do

By completing this qualification, you’ll be able to:

  • Provide nursing care to a variety of animals

  • Assist vets with medical and surgical procedures

  • Prepare animals, equipment, and facilities for treatment

  • Support clients by explaining animal care and health needs

  • Follow practice procedures and infection control protocols

Where This Qualification Can Take You

With this course, you’ll be ready to work as a veterinary nurse in:

  • Veterinary clinics and hospitals

  • Animal emergency centres

  • Specialist veterinary practices

  • Animal shelters or wildlife rehabilitation centres

What’s Expected of You

To successfully complete this qualification, you are expected to:

✔ Participate in both online learning and workplace training
✔ Follow veterinary practice policies, procedures, and safety standards
✔ Develop and demonstrate hands-on skills in a clinical setting
✔ Submit assessments on time and follow instructions carefully
✔ Ask your trainer or workplace supervisor if you need support

ACMVET413 Prepare for anaesthesia and monitor animal anaesthesia and analgesia

This course prepares veterinary nursing students to confidently assist in pre-operative and post-operative anaesthesia management under veterinary supervision. You will develop specialised knowledge in handling animals for surgery, preparing anaesthetic and analgesic drugs, monitoring patient vital signs, and responding to anaesthetic complications.

Students will gain practical experience in performing pre-anaesthetic evaluations, supporting intubation and drug administration, and applying critical monitoring techniques to ensure animal welfare throughout procedures. Emphasis is placed on safety, communication, and compliance with relevant WHS and legislative standards.

Ideal for aspiring or current veterinary nurses, this unit builds competence in anaesthetic support, analgesic administration, emergency response, and accurate record keeping within clinical environments such as general practices and animal hospitals.

ACMVET416 Assist with the preparation of veterinary drugs and poisons

This course prepares veterinary nursing students to provide informed, tailored advice to animal owners on health, reproduction, and behaviour across a range of species. Students will develop the skills to evaluate client and patient needs, offer practical product recommendations, and support behaviour modification strategies. The course includes hands-on experience in a veterinary practice and emphasises effective communication, safe handling practices, and compliance with animal welfare legislation.

Ideal for aspiring or current veterinary nurses, this unit builds confidence in client interaction while strengthening foundational knowledge in preventative care, behavioural guidance, and reproductive support.

ACMVET407 Carry out medical nursing routines

This course prepares veterinary nursing students to provide informed, tailored advice to animal owners on health, reproduction, and behaviour across a range of species. Students will develop the skills to evaluate client and patient needs, offer practical product recommendations, and support behaviour modification strategies. The course includes hands-on experience in a veterinary practice and emphasises effective communication, safe handling practices, and compliance with animal welfare legislation.

Ideal for aspiring or current veterinary nurses, this unit builds confidence in client interaction while strengthening foundational knowledge in preventative care, behavioural guidance, and reproductive support.

ACMVET409 Provide specific animal care advice

This course prepares veterinary nursing students to provide informed, tailored advice to animal owners on health, reproduction, and behaviour across a range of species. Students will develop the skills to evaluate client and patient needs, offer practical product recommendations, and support behaviour modification strategies. The course includes hands-on experience in a veterinary practice and emphasises effective communication, safe handling practices, and compliance with animal welfare legislation.

Ideal for aspiring or current veterinary nurses, this unit builds confidence in client interaction while strengthening foundational knowledge in preventative care, behavioural guidance, and reproductive support.

ACMVET408 Provide nutritional advice and support for animals

This course equips students with the skills and knowledge required to provide tailored nutritional advice and support to animals within a veterinary practice. It includes assessing dietary needs, preparing and delivering assisted feeding when required, and communicating effectively with animal owners to support long-term nutritional management.

Students will develop competence in evaluating feeding behaviours, interpreting food labels, and formulating nutritional plans based on species, life stage, and medical conditions. They will also gain experience in supporting the recovery of hospitalised patients through appropriate dietary interventions within a clinical setting.

ACMVET406 Nurse animals

This course equips students with the skills and knowledge required to provide high-quality nursing care to animals housed or treated in a veterinary practice. It includes monitoring patients, delivering first aid when necessary, and communicating with animal owners regarding care and recovery.

Students will develop competence in applying principles of animal anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology to support veterinary care. They will also gain experience in maintaining animal comfort, hygiene, nutrition, and recovery within a clinical setting.

ACMVET405 Coordinate and perform surgical nursing routines

This course equips veterinary nursing students with the knowledge and practical skills required to coordinate surgery schedules, prepare surgical environments, and support veterinarians before, during and after surgical procedures. Students will learn to maintain aseptic technique, assist with anaesthesia, monitor animals under sedation, and carry out post-operative care routines.