If you have a passion to nurse sick pets back to health, our veterinary nursing course provides you with comprehensive training in all aspects of the profession.
You can study either as an on-campus student or as a trainee from within a veterinary clinic. As an on-campus student, our veterinary nursing course includes a combination of online classes, practical classes on campus and practical rotations through the Pets on Elgar Veterinary Clinic. If you are in paid employment you can complete our course as an off campus student, with some practical workshops each term on campus, with support from our teachers.
You will need to have 15 hours per week of paid or voluntary work placement in a veterinary clinic from before you apply and for the duration of your enrolment in this course.
During our veterinary nursing course you’ll learn how to:
You will also gain skills in:
Follow Box Hill Institute - Animal Studies on Instagram | ![]() |
Last updated:
14 Apr 2021 at 02:00PM AEST
Box Hill Institute reserves the right to alter or delete details of a course offering, fees or other information provided
January and July 2021
Please contact Box Hill Institute for more information.
Flexible delivery (off campus): rolling enrolment throughout the year, however conditions apply.
On campus: full time 2 years
Flexible delivery (off campus): typically 3 years (the time taken to complete this course will vary depending on your input)
This is a blended delivery course which will include a combination of online, remote and face to face delivery. Blended learning can involve a range of online programs and resources including StudentWeb, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Skype, specific industry platforms, pre-recorded sessions, assigned reading, tutorials, discussion boards, and online activities. Blended learning also involves face-to-face attendance at classes or practical placements.
For information regarding dates such as enrolment, orientation and study breaks please visit the Academic Calendars page.
All applicants must either be employed or volunteer for a minimum of 15 hours per week as a nurse in veterinary practice.
Qualified veterinary nurses in private practice and the animal industry have healthy employment prospects.
Academic Associate Program
Academic Associates are employers who work with Box Hill Institute to provide our students with opportunities for practical work placement in the industry.
This program also provides employers and students with discounts on course material fees and opportunities to participate in assessment validation, industry reference groups and continuous improvement of our training programs.
On campus studies: you must have a minimum of 15 hours per week of voluntary or paid employment (off campus applicants must have paid employment) as a Veterinary Nurse, in a veterinary clinic. You must also hold a Certificate II or Certificate III in Animal studies or an equivalent qualification before you can apply for this course. To check if you hold an eligible Certificate, please contact us.
Blended delivery: in addition to the requirements above, you must also attend a minimum of 4 full days practical workshops at Box Hill Institute per full time study load throughout the year.
Traineeship applicants must have
You will require access to a computer with WIFI capabilities, a microphone and camera to attend remote classes
PRE-TRAINING REVIEW
To assist prospective students to determine whether a course is suitable and appropriate for the individual needs, Box Hill Institute will assess all students’ language, literacy and numeracy and digital literacy by asking you to undertake a self-assessment review prior to the enrolment.
A course advisor will discuss the outcomes of the review and make recommendations about whether the course is suitable for you, and identify additional support where required.
After successful completion of this certificate, you can apply for entry into the Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (General Practice) at Box Hill Institute.
This course is government accredited and has national recognition
The qualification is aligned with the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 4
This training is provided to eligible individuals with funds made available by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments
Government Subsidised Standard | Full Fee | Government Subsidised Concession or Job Trainer | |
Tuition Fee | $4,950 | $17,326 | $990 |
Service Fee | $337 | $337 | $337 |
Core Skills Support Fee | $83 | $83 | $83 |
Material Fee | $1,281 | $1,281 | $1,281 |
Retain Course Items | $60 | $60 | $60 |
Total Course Estimate | $6,711 | $19,087 | $2,751 |
Payable Estimate (at commencement) | $4,059 | $11,859 | $1,563 |
Retain Course Items are purchased once by the student prior to commencing. Those items then become the property of the student. Fees listed are at 2021 rates and may increase annually over the duration of delivery. The student tuition fees listed are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. For more information please contact our Course Advisors on 1300 BOX HILL.
You will complete 17 core and 4 elective units.
Equine electives are only available to nurses with relevant employment in an equine practice. Please contact us if you would like more information about this before applying.
Is this the course for you?
Enrol now or enquire about this course.