Certificate IV in
Veterinary Nursing

January and July

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. if you do not, we can discuss. 

Off campus delivery: in addition to the requirements above, you must also attend a minimum of 4 full day practical workshops at Box Hill Institute per full time study load throughout the year. 

Traineeship applicants must have 

• Year 12 completion (highly recommended)
• a minimum of 15 hours of paid work per week as a nurse in a veterinary clinic

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.

Direct entry

Recognition of Prior Learning is available.

After successful completion of this certificate, you can apply for entry into the Diploma of Veterinary Nursing.

This course is government accredited and has national recognition

The qualification is aligned with the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 4

• Government Subsidised Place
• Payment Plan

This training is provided to eligible individuals with funds made available by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments

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 2022 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.