In the veterinary sector, there is a growing demand for broader skills to provide essential care and treatment to animals across diverse environments and species. It is important that nationally endorsed veterinary nursing qualifications and related training package products align with the full range of different contexts and job tasks required.
Click across the tabs to view active and completed project stages. Consultation takes place at every stage of the project.
Skills Insight is consulting with the veterinary sector to understand their workforce challenges and identify how nationally endorsed training package products for veterinary nursing skills may be adapted.
The project begins with a skills review to analyse current and future practices in veterinary nursing across a variety of animal species and contexts. Opportunities and challenges identified will inform recommendations about the next step, which involves the review and development of training package products.
The second part of this project will commence in August 2025 to take advantage as the new training package product flexibility that comes into effect in July 2025. The new approach to developing training package products will be utilised to support veterinary nursing career pathways and assist in addressing retention rates and skills shortages.
Veterinary nursing survey
Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey about the skills and knowledge associated with veterinary nursing responsibilities. Your contributions have helped us capture a diverse range of perspectives across the sector.
These insights will complement existing research and our other information-gathering strategies to better understand how new opportunities arising from qualification reform can shape more effective training package products for veterinary nursing.
Survey responses were collected between 8 April and 4 May 2025.
Part 1: Skills review
The skills review will include veterinary nurses, veterinarians, employers, unions, associations, registered training organisations and other stakeholders to help analyse veterinary nursing functions and responsibilities.
The skills review will result in a report that will include key findings, a series of recommendations for future work to address the identified issues, and recommended adjustments to the relevant training package products in line with the new qualification design approach identified in VET Qualification Reform.
Part 2: Training package product review
Current qualifications, units and companion volumes will be reviewed to determine how the training package can evolve to better meet any skills needs identified in the Skills Review.
Current training package products
Through stakeholder collaboration, the project team aim to:
Key stakeholder organisations have been identified for this project. Skills Insight will ensure contact is made throughout this project to seek involvement and views on skills requirements.
If you are aware of an organisation or other key stakeholders that you think should be involved, please contact the project team at [email protected]
Timeline
Project team
Jess Cleary
Stakeholder Engagement Manager
Skills Insight
[email protected]
Penny McQueen
Project Manager
Skills Insight
[email protected]
Maree Thorne
Industry Skills Standards Contractor
Skills review
Consultation took place as part of a skills review to analyse current and future practices in veterinary nursing across a range of contexts. The skills review was undertaken using a mixed-method approach, which enabled strong engagement and participation from a diverse range of stakeholders across sectors and locations. The report provides crucial information to lay the foundation for reshaping training package products to better reflect the real-world skills and knowledge required in veterinary nursing.
A report outlining the findings of the Skills Review has been submitted to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, along with supporting materials:
- Consultation Log – summarising engagement activities
- Supplementary Tables – listing essential skills and knowledge for veterinary nursing, selected comments, enrolment data and registered training organisations (RTOs) elective selections.
Thank you to everyone who shared their insights regarding veterinary nursing. We appreciate the time and expertise volunteered by all involved.
Project Technical Committee
Following the Skills Review, a Technical Committee was established to provide advice throughout the project. Members for the committee were selected via an expression of interest form and direct invitation, with input from state training authorities.
Thank you to everyone who submitted an expression of interest to be a part of this committee. We received 42 applications, all of an impressive level of expertise, for only five available technical committee positions, which made the process highly competitive. The selection panel focused on ensuring broad coverage across locations (e.g. state and territory representation) and specialist knowledge. The approach of establishing a Technical Committee with a balanced and diverse range of perspectives is in line with the requirements of the Training Package Organising Framework.
As part of the establishment process, the Technical Committee reviewed and agreed to the following documents:
Development of draft training products
With the establishment of the Technical Committee, development of draft training products commenced. Part of the Technical Committee’s role is to help shape qualifications and other training package products so that they meet industry needs and produce real-life job outcomes in veterinary nursing. This has been done in line with the new approach to qualification design (qualification reform) and the new Training Package Organising Framework (TPOF), which became effective from 1 July 2025.
As part of the initial steps to revise the qualifications and units, the Technical Committee was required to confirm a purpose for the veterinary nursing qualifications, as outlined in the TPOF. This means identifying if the intended outcome of the qualifications is to train learners for a specific occupation; for multiple, related occupations; or to support pathways and applied learning. The purpose serves as the foundation for how the qualification is designed and its determination will play a critical role in shaping subsequent development decisions. The technical committee considered information from the Skills Review about workforce needs and how the qualifications are currently being used in identifying purposes for the qualifications.
Feedback on the qualifications’ purpose will also be welcome when the qualifications and units are made available for feedback.
Online information sessions
Two online sessions were run on 25 and 29 July to share the Skills Review findings and recommendations. For those who were unable to make it, a recording of one of the sessions is now available to view below.
Skills Insight is working with industry to update veterinary nursing training products to reflect current skills required for a range of species in a diverse range of practice environments. Updates are based on industry feedback and national training package requirements. Care has been taken to ensure essential skills and knowledge are clearly defined, while increasing flexibility in the qualifications to reflect the variety of veterinary nursing contexts.
Under the draft changes, Certificate IV remains the entry point to veterinary nursing, while the Diploma is reoriented from practice management to a more clinically focused role. These changes aim to strengthen progression pathways and maintain accessibility while upholding high standards.
The draft updates also respond to feedback on integrating foundational skills, improving unit clarity, and allowing flexible delivery without mandating specific modes of delivery. Pathways into the qualifications focus on specific competencies rather than qualifications as entry requirements. The aim is to enable accessibility, transferability and recognition of existing skills. Assessment will emphasise performance-based outcomes through workplace demonstration and appropriate simulation.
A new skill set has been drafted to include units of competency that address the proposed entry requirements in the revised Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
The draft qualifications and units of competency are available for feedback between 21 January to 10 March 2026.
Summary of changes
For a detailed list of changes to the draft qualifications and units of competency, please see the Summary of Changes.
Considerations relating to the qualification model
Skills Insight heard extensive and varied feedback from the Technical Committee regarding the appropriate AQF level for the entry point to veterinary nursing.
The draft model (retaining both the Certificate IV and the Diploma) provides a balanced approach. Retaining the Certificate IV maintains an achievable entry point for diverse learners and supports workforce supply; the revised Diploma offers a clear pathway for developing advanced clinical skills and supporting future registration.
Advocates for raising the base qualification to Diploma highlight the need for stronger professional recognition and closer alignment with human health professions. While this proposal has merit, it presents potential risks, including barriers to entry, reduced enrolments and potential impacts on existing skill shortages.
Skills Insight has balanced the considered feedback from the Technical Committee and proceeded with the revised dual model as it addresses both priorities – keeping the profession inclusive while enabling growth and recognition.
Register for a consultation workshop
These in-person and online sessions will outline the relevance of updates to the qualifications, skill set and units for industry and training providers. Key areas for review and discussion include:
- changes to entry requirements for the qualifications
- workplace requirements for assessment
- flexibility and usability of qualification structures
- significant content updates to Veterinary Nursing (VET) units
- new features available under the Training Package Organising Framework (TPOF) 2025.
Please register for a session that best suits you.
In-person sessions
Online Sessions
The Consultation Log summarises key topics and engagement activities during the development stage, including summaries from Technical Committee meetings. It also includes feedback specific to qualifications and units of competency.
Draft products include new features available under the Training Package Organising Framework (TPOF) 2025. Learn more about qualification reform below.
View the draft documents and provide feedback
Click on the accordions below to view the draft documents and provide feedback.
How to provide feedback
You can submit feedback online using our Feedback Hub, where you can post comments directly on the draft document as well as view comments from others. Your comments will remain anonymous. Only Skills Insight staff and contractors working directly on the project can identify users. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. The feedback hub is also moderated to avoid misuse.
User instructions:
- Select the document
- You will be asked to register or login (for a free account). Follow the prompts.
- Once logged in, you will be able to post feedback directly on the document.
Read the full User Instructions or download as a PDF.
If you’d prefer to email your feedback, you can download the Microsoft Word versions via the link at the bottom of each document group and email your feedback to [email protected]
Feedback is invited on all elements of the draft qualifications — overall structure, key features, and units of competency. We welcome suggestions for additional or alternative elective units within the qualifications.
The revised structure of the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing increases flexibility to meet broader applications existing in industry and increase opportunity for species-specific outcomes.
The revised Diploma places a stronger emphasis on clinical practice, aligning more closely with industry expectations and supporting learner attraction.
Changes to entry requirements
Both qualifications include revised entry requirements, which are expressed as competencies in the qualifications. It is important that entry requirements do not impose a barrier for potential learners who may have attained skills and knowledge through workplace participation, industry courses and even higher education. A new skill set and updated companion volume content provides additional opportunities and guidance to support revised entry requirements.
Changes to Mandatory Workplace Requirements
The previous requirement of 240 hours per unit has been removed. However, performance must still be demonstrated — and evidence collected — in a workplace for most (but not all) units.
ACM4X426 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
ACM5X226 Diploma of Veterinary Nursing
You may also download the qualifications in Word format and provide feedback by email to [email protected]
This new skill set has been created to include units of competency which address the proposed entry requirements in the revised Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing.
ACMSSXXX01 Foundational Skills for Veterinary Nursing Skill Set
You may also download the skill set in Word format and provide feedback by email to [email protected]
New units of competency have been created to address gaps in skills and knowledge that were identified during the Skills Review.
Units are designed using one of two templates as follows:
- EPC refers to the template in Appendix A of TPOF 2025 – Application, Elements and Performance Criteria template
- ASK refers to the template in Appendix B of TPOF 2025 – Application of skills and knowledge template.
ACMVET4X06 Develop and apply knowledge of the veterinary industry and apply to veterinary nursing practice – ASK
ACMVET5X29 Apply advanced knowledge of anaesthesia in veterinary nursing practice – EPC
ACMVET5X30 Perform medical and minor surgical veterinary procedures – EPC
ACMVET5X31 Conduct veterinary nurse clinics – ASK
You may also download the new units in Word format and provide feedback by email to [email protected]
Revised units of competency have been designed to better align with clinical practice. Some units contain specific questions that Skills Insight raises for stakeholder consideration.
Revised units aim to make regulatory, licensing and legislative implications more explicit. Feedback on the clarity and accuracy of these statements is encouraged, particularly from regulators and other users of the training products.
Units are designed on one of two templates as follows:
- EPC refers to the template in Appendix A of TPOF 2025 – Application, Elements and Performance Criteria template
- ASK refers to the template in Appendix B of TPOF 2025 – Application of skills and knowledge template.
ACMGEN3X02 Communicate effectively in animal-related workplaces – ASK
ACMGEN3X03 Maintain cleaning, hygiene and sterility standards in animal care workplaces – ASK
ACMGEN4X01 Develop knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology for animal care work – ASK
ACMINF3X04 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures in animal care work – EPC
ACMMIC4X05 Implant microchip in animals – EPC
ACMVET4X07 Triaging and responding to animal emergencies – ASK
ACMVET4X08 Conduct animal care discussions with clients – ASK
ACMVET4X09 Nurse animals – EPC
ACMVET4X10 Prepare for and monitor anaesthesia and analgesia in animals – EPC
ACMVET4X11 Perform veterinary dental nursing procedures – EPC
ACMVET4X12 Perform clinical pathology procedures – EPC
ACMVET4X13 Apply veterinary diagnostic imaging routines – EPC
ACMVET4X14 Perform surgical nursing routines – EPC
ACMVET4X15 Prepare, handle and administer veterinary medicines and restricted substances – EPC
ACMVET4X16 Undertake administration and client service activities in a veterinary practice – ASK
ACMVET4X17 Nurse foals – EPC
ACMVET4X18 Provide intensive foal care and nursing – EPC
ACMVET5X19 Enhance professional practice in veterinary nursing – ASK
ACMVET5X20 Apply veterinary nursing pathophysiology – ASK
ACMVET5X21 Manage nursing requirements for specialised surgical procedures – EPC
ACMVET5X22 Carry out post-operative nursing routines – EPC
ACMVET5X23 Provide nursing support for advanced veterinary dental surgery – EPC
ACMVET5X24 Manage veterinary nursing procedures – EPC
ACMVET5X25 Apply principles of animal behaviour – EPC
ACMVET5X26 Coordinate veterinary practice emergency preparedness – EPC
ACMVET5X27 Perform emergency procedures to sustain life – EPC
ACMVET5X28 Provide nursing support for critical care surgery – EPC
You may also download the revised units in Word format and provide feedback by email to [email protected]
The following units have been proposed for deletion due to low or no enrolments and their limited perceived value to industry and/or availability of suitable alternatives.
Have your say
Your input will inform the retention or deletion of these units.
The Companion Volume material has been significantly revised to provide overall guidance around revised features of the training products such as entry requirements and mandatory workplace requirements. Information is intended to assist RTOs with strategies to address these revisions. You may also download the companion volumes in MS Word format and provide feedback by email to [email protected]
You may also download the extract and user guide in Word format and provide feedback by email to [email protected]
Consultation to date
The draft qualifications, skill sets and units have been developed in consultation with the Technical Committee. In preparing these drafts, the Committee considered all feedback received during the Skills Review.
People working directly in the Veterinary Services sector participated throughout the Skills Review, providing detailed insights into the skills and knowledge required for job roles and tasks. During the Skills Review, site visits were undertaken across a diverse range of workplaces including clinics (general practice and exotics), hospitals, specialist and emergency centres (domestic animal and equine), zoos, animal shelters, race day environments, and a training facility to observe these job roles in practice.
During training package development, we consulted with a range of stakeholders on targeted topics to support the drafting of revised products.
Thank you to everyone who contributed feedback and expertise throughout these activities.
More on qualification reform
In line with the new qualification design approach identified in VET Qualification Reform, the draft products now include new features available under the Training Package Organising Framework (TPOF) 2025:
- qualifications now include an introductory statement that reflects the new qualification purpose, which has informed the design approach for the development stage.
- units of competency are designed using one of two templates. The template type used has been identified for each revised unit of competency.
This stage has not yet commenced.
At the validation stage, we check our work with stakeholders to confirm that solutions are in line with expectations.
This stage has not yet commenced.
At the finalisation stage, final checks are conducted and the outcomes of the project are submitted to the Department for consideration. Following this, outcomes are published or enacted.
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