Veterinary Nurse
A Veterinary Nurse provides clinical nursing support to veterinarians and manages patient care in Australian small and large animal veterinary practices.
Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.
Consistent demand; the Australian pet industry and veterinary sector continue to grow.
Occupation list membership
Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.
- STSOLShort-Term Skilled Occupation List
Occupations eligible for shorter-term sponsored visas including Subclass 482 (short-term stream).
- CSOLCombined Skilled Occupation List
The merged skilled list that consolidates previous MLTSSL and STSOL eligibility under the Skills in Demand program.
Assessing authority
The body that assesses skills for migration purposes for this occupation.
- VETVETASSESSVisit official site →
Visa pathways
Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.
- 186Learn more →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 190Learn more →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Learn more →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Learn more →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Learn more →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations
States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.
| Code | State / Territory | Details |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | New South Wales | View nomination → |
| WA | Western Australia | View nomination → |
| SA | South Australia | View nomination → |
| ACT | Australian Capital Territory | View nomination → |
Key duties
- Assist veterinarians with consultations, examinations, and surgical procedures
- Administer medications, IV fluids, and post-operative nursing care to animal patients
- Perform laboratory diagnostics including blood analysis, urinalysis, and cytology
- Educate pet owners on medication, post-operative care, and preventive health
Skills required
- Veterinary nursing clinical skills across species
- Anaesthetic monitoring and surgical assistance
- In-house laboratory analysis and diagnostic imaging assistance
- VNCA registration and veterinary practice standards
Typical qualifications pathway
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing; VNCA membership. VETASSESS assesses qualifications.
Visa & occupation list information
Listed on CSOL, enabling subclasses 186, 482, and 494 For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.
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