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Bachelor of Veterinary Technology

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BVetTech

  • Course code

    3007400

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Veterinary Technology provides the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to operate as a registered Veterinary Technologist in Australia or New Zealand.

You will graduate job-ready with a solid understanding of veterinary procedures and animal care, supported by ongoing work experience in general veterinary practice settings and comprehensive clinical skills training.

You will develop a strong theoretical understanding of a veterinary health care team philosophy, focussing on areas such as anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition and reproduction, clinical pathology and microbiology, radiography, and pharmacology.

You will apply your knowledge through professional placements which will foster skills in examination and diagnostics, husbandry, therapeutics, pharmacy, anaesthesia, diagnostic imagery and surgical processes, allowing you to hit the ground running.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Identify and describe the structure and function of various animal body systems.

Critically review and evaluate the validity of information to practice evidence-based veterinary technology.

Apply knowledge of best practice animal husbandry with due regard to animal welfare to safely and humanely handle and restrain animal patients.

Apply knowledge and practical skills to assist with veterinary diagnostic procedures, sample collection and transport, diagnostic tests, and diagnostic imaging.

Undertake the preparation, administration and monitoring of anaesthesia, assist in surgical planning and procedures, and oversee infectious control through the perioperative period.

Assist and contribute to common clinical procedures, carry out care treatment plans, and ensure compliance with medicine dispensing regulations and guidelines.

Communicate effectively using oral, written, electronic, and innovative technologies to interact appropriately according to the audience and context.

GA2: Creativity

Communicate effectively using oral, written, electronic, and innovative technologies to interact appropriately according to the audience and context.

GA3: Ethical practice

Apply knowledge of best practice animal husbandry with due regard to animal welfare to safely and humanely handle and restrain animal patients.

Apply reflective practice to analyse professional and personal growth, foster lifelong learning, and develop self-awareness through recognition of personal strengths and limitations in a range of cultural contexts.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Identify and describe the structure and function of various animal body systems.

Critically review and evaluate the validity of information to practice evidence-based veterinary technology.

Apply knowledge of best practice animal husbandry with due regard to animal welfare to safely and humanely handle and restrain animal patients.

Apply knowledge of animal behaviour, nutrition, hygiene, biosecurity and disease prevention to undertake patient evaluation, management, and treatments.

Apply knowledge and practical skills to assist with veterinary diagnostic procedures, sample collection and transport, diagnostic tests, and diagnostic imaging.

Undertake the preparation, administration and monitoring of anaesthesia, assist in surgical planning and procedures, and oversee infectious control through the perioperative period.

Assist and contribute to common clinical procedures, carry out care treatment plans, and ensure compliance with medicine dispensing regulations and guidelines.

Communicate effectively using oral, written, electronic, and innovative technologies to interact appropriately according to the audience and context.

Apply reflective practice to analyse professional and personal growth, foster lifelong learning, and develop self-awareness through recognition of personal strengths and limitations in a range of cultural contexts.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Apply reflective practice to analyse professional and personal growth, foster lifelong learning, and develop self-awareness through recognition of personal strengths and limitations in a range of cultural contexts.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Demonstrate knowledge of the legislation, laws, and ethics related to a veterinary practice business.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate knowledge of the legislation, laws, and ethics related to a veterinary practice business.

Apply reflective practice to analyse professional and personal growth, foster lifelong learning, and develop self-awareness through recognition of personal strengths and limitations in a range of cultural contexts.

This course includes a maximum of 24 weeks core professional placement in general veterinary practice and animal health settings.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Term 1 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

In 2023, the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council announced an intention to establish a regulatory framework for the accreditation of undergraduate award courses in veterinary technology. Currently Veterinary Technology Graduates can voluntarily register with the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia’s (VNCA) Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technicians (AVNAT) scheme. Western Australia is the only state that currently requires mandatory registration of Veterinary Nurses and Technologist who work in veterinary practice.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology, students must complete 24 units (288 Credit Points), comprising:

  • 23 core units (276 credit points) and
  • 1 elective unit (12 credit points)

 

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet professional regulatory requirements must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

 

Entry requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

Language requirements

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology, students must complete 24 units (288 Credit Points), comprising:

  • 23 core units (276 credit points) and
  • 1 elective unit (12 credit points)

 

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet professional regulatory requirements must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.

 

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Fulltime students are to complete the following units to satisfy the requirements of the Award. Students intending to complete a part-time progression are to contact Client Services.

First Year

HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
ANIM1001 Animal Husbandry, Management, and Behaviour 1
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Enrolment information There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to https://www.scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.
VETS1001 Foundations of Veterinary Professionalism and Communication
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites HLTH1004 - The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
ANIM2001 Animal Husbandry, Management, and Behaviour 2
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites ANIM1001 - Animal Husbandry, Management, and Behaviour 1
VTEC1001 Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technologists
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
VTEC1002 Principles of Animal Health Assessment for Veterinary Technologists
Dual Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Dual Term4
Dual Term4
Pre-requisites ANIM1001 - Animal Husbandry, Management, and Behaviour 1 AND VTEC1001 - Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technologists
VTEC1003 Surgical Theatre and Dental Care for Veterinary Technologists
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites VTEC1001 - Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technologists

Second Year

Students must have successfully completed all units in the first year progression before commencing second year units.
VTEC2001 Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technologists 1

Not currently available

 12
VTEC2002 Diagnostic Procedures, Laboratory Techniques and Imaging for Veterinary Technologists

Not currently available

 12
BIOL2007 Biochemistry
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Pre-requisites HBIO1008 - Human Physiology II OR HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
VTEC2004 Pharmacology for Veterinary Technologists

Not currently available

 12
VTEC2003 Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technologists 2

Not currently available

 12
VETS2002 Applied Veterinary Microbiology

Not currently available

 12
VTEC2005 Anaesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technologists

Not currently available

 12
VETS2011 Animal Nutrition for Health, Performance and Production

Not currently available

 12

Third year

Students must have successfully completed all units in the second year progression before commencing third year units.
VETS2006 Building Competency in Veterinary Professionalism and Communication

Not currently available

 12
VTEC3006 Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technologists 3

Not currently available

 12
VTEC3010 Animal Emergency Management in Natural Disasters

Not currently available

 12
Elective
VTEC3007 Clinical Placements 1

Not currently available

 12
VTEC3008 Clinical Placements 2

Not currently available

 12
VTEC3009 The Professional Veterinary Technologist

Not currently available

 12
VETS2003 Applied Veterinary Reproduction, Genetics, and Breeding

Not currently available

 12

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
ANIM1001 Animal Husbandry, Management, and Behaviour 1
BIOL1005 Cells and Molecules
VETS1001 Foundations of Veterinary Professionalism and Communication
ANIM2001 Animal Husbandry, Management, and Behaviour 2
VTEC1001 Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technologists
VTEC1002 Principles of Animal Health Assessment for Veterinary Technologists
VTEC1003 Surgical Theatre and Dental Care for Veterinary Technologists
VTEC2001 Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technologists 1
VTEC2002 Diagnostic Procedures, Laboratory Techniques and Imaging for Veterinary Technologists
BIOL2007 Biochemistry
VTEC2004 Pharmacology for Veterinary Technologists
VETS2002 Applied Veterinary Microbiology
VTEC2003 Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technologists 2
VTEC2005 Anaesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technologists
VETS2011 Animal Nutrition for Health, Performance and Production
VETS2006 Building Competency in Veterinary Professionalism and Communication
VTEC3006 Medical Nursing for Veterinary Technologists 3
VTEC3010 Animal Emergency Management in Natural Disasters
VTEC3007 Clinical Placements 1
VTEC3008 Clinical Placements 2
VTEC3009 The Professional Veterinary Technologist
VETS2003 Applied Veterinary Reproduction, Genetics, and Breeding

Elective Units
Select 1 university wide elective unit (12 credit points)