Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing is now included on the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List for 2026, meaning additional funding and support are available for employers who employ veterinary nurse trainees.
The inclusion of veterinary nursing on the priority list is designed to help provide financial incentives and support for both employers and trainees.
Financial support for employers
With the inclusion of Veterinary nurses in the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List for 2026, new funding is available from the Priority Hiring Incentive where employers may be eligible for up to $2,500 in Federal Government incentives when they take on a veterinary nurse trainee.
Applicable traineeships relevant to WA are the Certificate IV of Veterinary Nursing, or the Certificate III of Animal Care Services.
In WA, businesses may also be eligible for additional State Government employer incentives of up to $4,250 through the Jobs and Skills WA Employer Incentive program for eligible traineeships.
Australian Apprentice Training Support Payment
The Payment provides direct financial support (up to a maximum of two years) to Australian apprentices commencing in a priority occupation. This payment of up to $2,500 is designed to help apprentices with cost-of-living pressures and encourage them to complete their apprenticeship.
Beyond financial incentives, employers and trainees also receive practical support throughout the traineeship. Apprenticeship Support Australia provides a range of free services, including assistance with training contracts, access to mentoring and mediation support, and guidance to help both the employer and trainee succeed.
A veterinary nursing traineeship allows a student to be employed in industry while completing their Certificate IV qualification, gaining real-world clinical experience alongside their formal training. For veterinary practices and other workplaces, this creates an opportunity to develop staff with the skills and culture that best suit their workplace.
Despite the ongoing workforce challenges faced by the profession, awareness of traineeship pathways has historically been low. With the new priority listing and additional incentives now available, clinics have an opportunity to reconsider traineeships as a way to build their future workforce.
