How to become a Veterinary Nurse
Cares for animals under treatment or in temporary residence at veterinary facilities, and assists Veterinarians to perform procedures and operations.
Main tasks
- Provides care and support to animals under treatment or in temporary residence at veterinary facilities
- Assists Veterinarians in performing procedures and operations on animals
- Prepares animals for surgery, including administering anaesthesia and monitoring vital signs
- Administers medications and treatments to animals as directed by Veterinarians
- Assists with diagnostic procedures such as taking X-rays or collecting samples for laboratory testing
- Provides post-operative care to animals, including monitoring their recovery and administering medications
- Ensures hygiene processes are maintained, including cleaning and sterilising equipment and facilities
- Provides basic grooming and hygiene care to animals, such as bathing and grooming
- Educates pet owners on proper animal care, and provides advice on nutrition, exercise and preventive health care
- Assists with euthanasia procedures and provides emotional support to pet owners
Ways in
- TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418); Diploma of Animal Technology (ACM50119); Diploma of Equine Allied Health (ACM50521); Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (ACM50219); Certificate III in Animal Care Services (ACM30122); Certificate II in Animal Care (ACM20121); Certificate IV in Animal Facility Management (ACM40222)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $86,684 a year
- About 17,500 people work in this job group now, and about 19,600 are projected by 2035. (+11.7%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Veterinary Nurse?
Ways in include: Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing; Diploma of Animal Technology.
How much does a Veterinary Nurse earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $86,684 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Veterinary Nurse a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 17,500 to about 19,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Veterinary Nurse?
Usually not. Only 15% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing; Diploma of Animal Technology.
Will AI change the work of a Veterinary Nurse?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04