Veterinary Nurse
Translate your love for animals into a career as you care for animals under treatment.
Turn your love for animals into a rewarding career
No two days are the same as a Veterinary Nurse. As a valued member of a veterinary team, you’ll care for a range of pets including cats, dogs, horses, and farm animals. You’ll be an all-rounder in the team, assisting Veterinarians to perform procedures and operations, as well as undertaking general administrative tasks. This hands-on career will satisfy your compassion for animals, with scope to become a qualified Veterinarian if you choose to do further study.
Key stats
A Veterinary Nurse assists Veterinarians in the diagnosis, treatment and care of animals. Here are some key facts and figures about this career path:
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$1,026
Average weekly salary
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40 hrs
Average hours worked per week
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29 yrs
Average age of people in this career
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Multi-region
Jobs available in metro and rural areas
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~10,700
People employed in this industry
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51%
Of employees are full time
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Below average
Unemployment for this industry
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15.4%
Future growth (next five years)
Stats as of April 2024. Source: LabourMarketInsights.gov.au
Core skills of a Veterinary Nurse
Working as a Veterinary Nurse, you’ll need to combine your knowledge of caring for animals with strong customer service skills. Some of the core skills of Vet Nurses include:
Providing animal care advice
Assist with consultations and prepare, review and deliver animal care education programs.
Assisting Veterinarians during operations
Prepare instruments for the Veterinarian, and administer anaesthetics and oxygen during operations.
Handling animals
Hold animals to allow examination and treatment by Veterinarians, place animals in cages for recovery, and monitor their condition.
Undertaking reception duties
Greet patients, accept payments and undertake clerical work.
Start here
Certificate II in Animal Studies
Once you've completed your Certificate II (or equivalent)
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
On-campus learning or traineeship
You may choose to complete further study at university to become qualified as a Veterinarian.
For more information about studying to become a Veterinary Nurse, get in touch with one of our Course Coordinators. They'll help you understand your study options and match the right course with your goals.
Why choose GOTAFE?
Vet clinic
Get hands-on experience with animals in our fully-equipped veterinary clinic, including radiography and ultrasound.
Strong industry connections
Our Trainers have strong local connections, and often recommend students to potential employers.
Accredited courses
Get a recognised qualification with a Certificate IV in Vet Nursing, allowing you to get straight into the workforce after graduation.
Explore more career opportunities
Not sure this is the right career path for you? Explore our other careers and find the right fit for you.