Private Education for a Real Animal Care Career.
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This course is not free or government funded. Centrelink support may be available for eligible students.
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Study with a private training provider that delivers high-quality animal care education, practical work placement opportunities in veterinary clinics and grooming workplaces, and hands-on training with commercial-standard equipment.
Course Overview
Program Overview
The ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing qualification is the latest nationally accredited qualification that provides essential training for those aspiring to work as veterinary nurses under the guidance of registered veterinarians.
The curriculum covers extensive nursing care for animals, assistance during medical and surgical procedures, and client education on animal health.
Campus Locations
Job Outcomes
Potential career outcomes could include:
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Veterinary Nurse
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Veterinary Specialist Assistant
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Wildlife Veterinary Assistant
Recognition
Study Method
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Locations

- New South Wales
- Victoria
Duration Study Load
18 Months
Delivery
We offer a highly flexible mode of course delivery. Students may choose to study on campus in Melbourne or Sydney if they are domestic students or do not require a student visa. International students studying on a student visa are required to attend classes three days per week.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirement
Must possess basic computer skills
Must be able to lift and move animals weighing up to 10 Kg
Must be 18 years or older
Have sound language, literacy, and numeracy skills* (at least Year 10 English, or equivalent)
Hold a Certificate II in Animal Studies
OR Hold a relevant Certificate III or higher level qualification in an animal science discipline
OR Can demonstrate equivalent skills and knowledge in a relevant animal science discipline to any of the above qualifications
International Student Requirement
Have sound language, literacy, and numeracy skills* (at least Year 10 English, or equivalent)
(From non-English speaking background) are required to provide any one of the following evidence of upper intermediate proficiency in English:
IELTS total band score of at least 6.0
TOEFL ibt total score of at least 64
PTE total score of at least 50
CAE total score of at least 169
Unless one of the English language exemptions applies as provided for within this
Course Features
Live Animal Interaction: Gain essential, hands-on experience by working directly with live animals throughout your studies, perfectly bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world care.
Commercial-Grade Equipment: Train using the exact professional tools, technology, and facility setups currently used by top veterinary clinics and grooming salons.
Exceptional Teaching Quality: Benefit from practical, industry-aligned instruction that goes beyond the textbook, ensuring you are highly competent and employable from day one.
Work Placement
Hands-On Industry Experience
Boost your skills and confidence with our optional work placement program. We have partnered with over 30 top-tier veterinary clinics and renowned grooming salons to provide a diverse range of real-world opportunities. While not compulsory, these placements are the perfect way to interact with live animals in professional settings, discover your niche, and jumpstart your career alongside industry experts before you even graduate.
Student must complete a 240 hours work placement
Assessment
At Greenwood Academy, our assessment process is designed to be accessible and straightforward, combining online convenience with hands-on demonstration:
Theoretical Assessments: Complete all your written coursework and quizzes conveniently online through our interactive Moodle e-learning platform, allowing you to study at a pace and place that suits you.
Practical Assessments: Demonstrate your growing expertise by recording and submitting videos of your practical tasks. This allows our trainers to evaluate your real-world animal handling and technical skills while you work in a comfortable environment.
Materials
We provide both comprehensive learning resources and practical training materials to give students a genuine industry-style learning experience in the classroom. This approach helps students build confidence, develop job-ready skills, and connect theory with real-world practice.
Subjects
About Greenwood Academy Animal care and Agriculture
Greenwood Academy of Animal Care and Agriculture is Australia’s leading vocational education provider specializing in animal care training. As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code: 45916) and a CRICOS-certified institution (CRICOS Code: 04060M), we provide comprehensive, nationally recognised training (NRT) aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), ensuring that our qualifications meet the highest national standards.
