Become a qualified veterinary nurse

Based on what you’ve told us, it looks like you may not meet the entry requirements for the ACVN Diploma in Clinical Veterinary Nursing right now — most likely because you’re not currently working or on placement at a veterinary clinic, which the Diploma requires.

But that doesn’t mean your journey stops here. 🐾

The Foundation Certificate in Veterinary Assisting might be exactly where you need to start.

If you’re at least 16 years old and have completed the equivalent of Year 10, the Foundation Certificate is open to you — no clinic placement required. It’s a fully online qualification covering real veterinary nursing knowledge across 8 subjects, and you can study entirely from home at your own pace.

Here’s why it’s worth considering:

• No clinic placement needed — all assessments are completed at home
• Start anytime, no waiting for an intake
• 12 months to complete, around 8–10 hours of study per week
• Designed specifically for international students among others
• If you go on to enrol in the Diploma within 2 years of graduating, your completed subjects earn you internal credits — making your Diploma shorter and more affordable

It’s the natural stepping stone into the career you’re working toward. A lot of our Diploma students started exactly where you are now.