Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Technology
Applications for Semester 1, 2026 open in August
There's never been a better time to build new skills and follow your passion. Apply now to secure your place at La Trobe.
All Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Technology applicants must complete and submit a Veterinary Nursing Personal Statement.
As this course is either new or undergoing revision, the details below are pending approval. These details are provided to indicate the likely availability of the course but are subject to change and provided for information purposes only. To be kept up to date on course details and when applications open, keep informed and we’ll be in touch.
Overview
Key facts
| Award | Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Technology |
|---|---|
| Start dates |
Indicative based on 2025 start dates Semester 1 (March 2026) |
| Duration | 3 years or part-time equivalent |
| Available locations | Other |
| Cohorts | Applications will be available for domestic students. |
| Scholarships | View fees and scholarships |
| Fees | Learn more about Fees and scholarships. |
About the Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Technology
The Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Technology is the first para-professional veterinary nursing qualification of this level available in Australia.
It is designed to produce highly skilled clinicians with exceptional levels of practical skill, knowledge and in-depth understanding gained through a stimulating exploration of the academic underpinnings of the field.
A semester-long industry placement in second year provides the opportunity to apply the theory and practices learned on campus in a range of areas of interest. This placement, along with ongoing comprehensive practical clinical experience will ensure that graduates are 'Future ready' and highly employable.
In third year, students can opt to undertake paid work in veterinary practices (outside of classes). Throughout their course, students undertake Work Based Learning (WBL) placements in various industry settings including hospitals, animal shelters and farms. Students are fully supervised by experienced veterinary team members while at external placements.
This course is delivered in partnership with Melbourne Polytechnic at Epping. For more information please visit the Melbourne Polytechnic website.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 7 - Bachelor Degree.
Have questions?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Entry requirements and pathways
Prerequisites
Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Credit for previous study (advanced standing)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing) is the recognition of prior study or learning that can be counted towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of subjects required to complete your course. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your previous study and the number of subjects completed.
The University will designate courses where there is only admission into Year 1 of the course. In these cases, there is limited credit. See list of limited entry courses.
To check if this course is available for credit, please visit the Advanced standing webpage.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly or via VTAC.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
What you'll study
Sample course structure
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook .
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Technology , students must complete a total of 360 credit points across 3 years or part-time equivalent.
Core subjects are required subjects in your course. You need to complete these subjects to attain your degree.
Work-Based Learning
Compulsory placements (Work Based Learning)
During this course, you will participate in one or more supervised Work Based Learning (WBL) placements designed to allow you to practice newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge while integrating theory with practice. The placements will immerse you in professional work culture, enabling you to develop and further enhance your skills. WBL provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience at one or more of our local, interstate or international industry partners or agencies. WBL placements will generally be arranged by the College based Placements Operation Team or Experiential Learning Team at La Trobe University. The number of hours undertaken can vary considerably, depending on the requirements of the course. Students may incur additional costs and it may be necessary to travel or relocate to complete a specific placement. Please refer to the individual subject entries for more information.
See La Trobe University Handbook for more details
The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.
View course information for Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Technology
Have questions?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Technology course and career outcomes
Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Technology intended learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a caring and empathic approach to the nursing of animals which results in improved animal welfare outcomes
- Demonstrate discipline-specific veterinary nursing and technologist competencies that ensure the provision of safe practice, including the application of one-health principles, in a range of animal health care, nursing, facility and support requirements
- As part of a veterinary team, be able to critically reflect on current theory as applied to nursing practice
- Design, implement and educate others in a range of ethical animal husbandry, care and management plans
- Communicate competently, sensitively and empathetically with colleagues, clients, other animal health care experts and the general public in a variety of nursing and technologist professional and social contexts
- Integrate and apply a range of skills and knowledge required to lead a team and manage personnel and facilities using sound judgement
- Solve new problems using a combination of critical thinking, logic, evidence, creativity and a practical approach both autonomously and as part of a veterinary team
- Adopt current and relevant technologies in veterinary industry, to identify, analyse, interpret and present information to improve animal care
Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing and Technology career opportunities
Graduate employment opportunities will be available in the private and public sectors, including veterinary clinics and hospitals as veterinary nurses, veterinary technologists and/or practice managers, or roles in large organisations that specialise in veterinary pharmaceutical or nutrition.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly or via VTAC.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Fees and scholarships
Please note that additional costs are incurred from Essential requirements and additional costs.
Domestic student fee help
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (the student contribution), is set each year by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual subjects, not the overall course.
Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
HECS-Help Loan
HECS-HELP is the Australian Government’s Higher Education Loan Program. It enables you to borrow the amount of your student contribution and then pay that loan back once you are in the workforce and earning at a specified level. A HECS-HELP loan is not means tested.
HECS-HELP is available to eligible Australian citizens and permanent humanitarian visa holders who are enrolled in a CSP. As a CSP student, you may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which allows you to defer payment of up to 100% of your student contribution.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for both current and future students. Find out what La Trobe scholarship opportunities might be available to you. View all available scholarships.
You must first have an offer to study at La Trobe before you are eligible to apply for a La Trobe scholarship.
Scholarships that may be available for this course
La Trobe High Achiever Scholarship
Sydney Campus, Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, Future postgraduate coursework, International Student
Early Bird Acceptance Grant - International Students
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, Future postgraduate coursework, International Student
Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Scholarship
Online, Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – 5th year undergraduates, 4th year undergraduates, 1st year undergraduates, 2nd year undergraduates, 3rd year undergraduates, Future postgraduate coursework, Honours, Postgraduate coursework, Future undergraduates, Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident
Placement Travel Bursary
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Online, Shepparton Campus – 1st year undergraduates, 2nd year undergraduates, 3rd year undergraduates, Postgraduate coursework, 4th year undergraduates, 5th year undergraduates, Australian Citizen, Humanitarian Visa, International Student, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident
Commonwealth Prac Payment
Online, Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, 1st year undergraduates, 2nd year undergraduates, 3rd year undergraduates, Future postgraduate coursework, Postgraduate coursework, 4th year undergraduates, 5th year undergraduates, Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, New Zealand Citizen
A means test will apply to be eligible for this payment.
La Trobe Artificial Intelligence Scholarship
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, Future postgraduate coursework, International Student
The recipient cannot hold any other La Trobe University scholarship.
La Trobe Analytics & Insights Scholarship
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, Future postgraduate coursework, International Student
The recipient cannot hold any other La Trobe University scholarship.
La Trobe Vice Chancellor Scholarship
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, Future postgraduate coursework, International Student
The recipient cannot hold any other La Trobe University scholarship.
Wominjeka - Study Abroad Scholarship
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, International Student
La Trobe Access Scholarship
Online, Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – 1st year undergraduates, 2nd year undergraduates, 3rd year undergraduates, 4th year undergraduates, 5th year undergraduates, Future postgraduate coursework, Future undergraduates, Honours, Postgraduate coursework, Australian Citizen, Humanitarian Visa, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident
Industry Placement Bursary
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Online, Shepparton Campus – 1st year undergraduates, 2nd year undergraduates, 3rd year undergraduates, Postgraduate coursework, 4th year undergraduates, 5th year undergraduates, Australian Citizen, Humanitarian Visa, International Student, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident
Tracey Banivanua Mar Scholarship
Online, Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – 1st year undergraduates, 2nd year undergraduates, 3rd year undergraduates, 4th year undergraduates, Honours, Australian Citizen, Humanitarian Visa, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident
Have questions?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Have questions?
We're here to help you navigate your study options.
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.