Bachelor of Veterinary Technology

  • 75
    Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR
  • Duration

    3 years full-time
    (or part-time equiv.)
  • Start Dates

    February
  • Location

Lead transformative animal care

Also known as Allied Veterinary Professionals, veterinary technologists play a vital role in modern animal welfare. As well as providing high-level, hands-on veterinary care, including being a part of the anaesthesia, surgery and diagnostic imaging team, they oversee the application of cutting-edge new veterinary technology.

Data-driven apps, wearable devices, telemedicine—a steady stream of advanced new tools is reimagining what’s possible in the clinical environment. As a veterinary technologist, you can ensure it delivers maximum benefit to animals’ health and wellbeing.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Veterinary Technology is part of the University’s world-top-50 suite of veterinary science and veterinary-related degrees*. Studied over three years full-time, it will give you:

  • high-level knowledge and practical skills in caring for all kinds of animals—from cats, dogs and horses, to farm animals, wildlife and exotic pets
  • the ability to operate state-of-the-art veterinary technologies
  • knowledge and training in the use of anaesthetic and analgesic drugs
  • deep knowledge of animal diseases, including those threatening humans and the concept of One Health
  • extensive hands-on clinical experience
  • regular access to our world-class, $37 million Veterinary Health Centre and Veterinary Skills Simulation suite.

Building on your core education, in third-year you’ll also have the opportunity to select an area of special interest (Track) which will extend your knowledge and experience in your chosen field. And, you’ll collaborate with Veterinary Bioscience and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students throughout the degree, reflecting real-world workplace interactions.

Where could it take you?

You’ll graduate with industry skills ready to provide high-level animal-care roles in a wide range of industry settings. You could join the health care team oversee imaging or anaesthesia services for in an emergency veterinary hospital or general practice clinic, or even own a veterinary practice. You might seek animal care and welfare roles in an open-range zoo or Government departments. Perhaps work in biosecurity or emergency-response fields, or provide public education in the areas of animal health and welfare. You could even support important animal research, or—with further study—lead it yourself. The employment opportunities are broad and rewarding.

PLEASE NOTE:
This program is not a pathway to the Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) or becoming a registered veterinarian.

NOTE:
To ensure the best educational experience, offers of admission for this degree are not currently being extended to commencing remote students. For continuing remote students, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.


  • Top 50 in world for Veterinary Sciences*
  • Hands-on clinical experience
  • Purpose-built veterinary teaching hospital

*QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2021

Entry Requirements

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Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 354091
2024 CSP ATAR 75
2024 CSP IB 27.5
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 75
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 27.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February
Assumed Knowledge SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Methods IB: Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL).
Additional Entry Requirements
Before applying, prospective students need to be aware there is an inherent requirement to be vaccinated against Q Fever in order to study the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology. It is a condition that all students enrolled in this program must be vaccinated against Q Fever (unless initial skin test indicates pre-existing immunity). This must be completed as soon as possible and by no later than the end of Semester 1 in the first year.

Applicants must read the before submitting their application, and be aware that by applying for this program, they are accepting this inherent requirement.

Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors).

Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.

Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the ³ÉÈË´óƬ, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA.

Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See for further information.

Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2025. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2025 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2024 or 2023), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2023). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components.

Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See for further information.

Other Entry Pathways

2024 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 64.55
Median ATAR to receive an offer 84.58
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 99.7
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 75.1
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 87.65
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.95
Minimum eligibility score 65
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2024
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    16 44.4%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study n/a N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    15 41.7%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/A N/A
    International students 5 13.9%
    All students 36 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the ³ÉÈË´óƬ.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $11,920

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit:

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

Industry Placement

At the end of the first year you will complete an industry placement where you will see first hand how the knowledge and skills of a veterinary technologist are used in practice. This is followed by substantial clinical placements commencing at the end of second year and running through into year three. In total, you will complete over 500 hours of industry placement, as well as experience the on-campus facilities, working with a variety of animals from cats, dogs and horses to farm animals, wildlife and exotic pets.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Quarantine Officer;  Agriculture, Agricultural Service Industry;  Animal Technician;  Animal Welfare;  Animal Behaviourist;  Animal Breeding;  Zookeeper;  Livestock Production;  Animal Health Officer;  Ecologist ...

Degree Structure

Academic Program Rules

The is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Technology, students must satisfactorily complete a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 72 units:
  • Core courses to the value of 66 units
  • Elective courses to the value of 6 units
  • Work based training/Extra Mural Studies.

Example Study Plan

To satisfy the requirements for the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology, students must complete core courses to the value of 66 units.

Level I
All of the following courses must be completed: ANIML SC 1015RW Animal Handling and Husbandry I
ANIML SC 1016RW Principles in Animal Behaviour Welfare Ethics I
VET TECH 1010RW Foundations of Science for Veterinary Technologists I
VET TECH 1015RW Introduction to Mechanisms of Health I
VET TECH 1020RW Anatomy for Veterinary Technologists I
VET TECH 1025RW Physiology for Veterinary Technologists I
VET TECH 1030RW Evidence-based Veterinary Technology I
VET TECH 1035RW Principles of Veterinary Nursing
Level II
All of the following courses must be completed: ANIML SC 2540RW Animal Microbiology and Virology II
VET TECH 2015RW Clinical Studies A
VET TECH 2020RW Clinical Studies B
VET TECH 2025RW Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Therapeutics II
VET TECH 2030RW Introduction to Workplace Skills II
VET TECH 2035RW Pathology for Veterinary Technologists II
VET TECH 2040RW Advanced Animal Husbandry for Veterinary Technologists II
VET TECH 2525RW Biosecurity, Epidemiology and Food Safety for Veterinary Technologists
Level III
All of the following courses must be completed: VET TECH 3010RW Clinical Skills in Veterinary Technology III
VET TECH 3015RW Managing Animals in Emergencies
VET TECH 3020ARW Transition to the Veterinary Technology Profession III Part A
VET TECH 3020BRW Transition to the Veterinary Technology Profession III Part B
VET TECH 3025RW Clinical Practice in Veterinary Technology III


To satisfy the requirements for Work Based Training / Extra Mural Studies (EMS) students must adhere to the following:
Students must satisfactorily complete a total of 150 hours (2 x 75 hour blocks) of professional work experience including satisfactorily completing all associated assessment items. Participation in EMS can begin after the successful completion of Level I of the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology program. The first 75 hour block must be completed before the start of semester 1 of Level II of the program. The second 75 hour block of EMS must then be completed by the end of the mid-semester break of Semester 2 of Level II.

Students are also required to complete a total of 480 hours of clinical placements during VET TECH 3010RW Clinical Skills in Veterinary Technology and VET TECH 3025RW Clinical Practice in Veterinary Technology including satisfactorily completing all associated assessment items.

Assessment

Varies with individual courses and includes a combination of oral presentations, written assignments, practical or examination work

Testimonial

My degree gave me theoretical and practical skills in a multitude of animal species that I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else, and I use those skills on a day-to-day basis in my job.

The ³ÉÈË´óƬ is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The ³ÉÈË´óƬ therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024