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veterinary nurse
兽医护士
ANZSCO occupation profile
ANZSCO 2022
Indicative Skill Level
In Australia and New Zealand:Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In New Zealand: NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Unit group duty description
Veterinary Nurses care for animals under treatment and in temporary residence at veterinary facilities and assist Veterinarians to perform procedures and operations.
- holding animals to allow examination and treatment by Veterinarians
- cleaning and sterilising examination tables and equipment
- preparing instruments and handing them to the Veterinarian
- assisting Veterinarians to administer anaesthetics and oxygen during operations
- placing animals in cages for recovery from operations and monitoring their condition
- giving medications to animals
- maintaining stock control and records
- providing animal care advice, and preparing, delivering, and reviewing animal care education programs
- may perform diagnostic laboratory tests
- may act as receptionist, accept payments, and undertake clerical work
361311 veterinary nurse
Cares for animals under treatment or in temporary residence at veterinary facilities and assists Veterinarians to perform procedures and operations.
Alternative titles: Animal Nurse · Veterinary Assistant
View the ABS source →ANZSCO content is a classification guide. Skills assessment requirements must be checked separately.
Visa pathways
Occupation-list availability for seven visa subclasses
List membership is not a finding of personal eligibility.
State and territory nomination
Eight jurisdictions, checked separately
Official sources checked 10 August 2026
- NSW 190 · Direct invitation
- NSW 491 · Pathways 2/3
Occupation and four-digit unit group checked against the NSW lists.
Official source →- Victorian ROI · 190
- Victorian ROI · 491
Applicant ranking depends on profile and ROI selection.
Official source →Checked separately against the onshore and offshore occupation lists.
Official source →2026–27 occupation settings have not yet been published.
Official source →Applications are unavailable pending the 2026–27 program settings.
Official source →- TAS · profile-based pathways · 190
- TAS · profile-based pathways · 491
All occupations on the relevant federal 190/491 list can access at least one Tasmanian pathway, but invitation depends on pathway eligibility and ROI priority attributes. No general OSOP 491 invitations are planned for 2026–27.
Official source →- Canberra Matrix · 190
- Canberra Matrix · 491
Occupation list match only; Matrix ranking and caps still apply.
Official source →- NT onshore/offshore · 190
- NT onshore/offshore · 491
The precise stream depends on residence, employment and offshore priority rules.
Official source →