This is a 2026 step-by-step pathway guide for a Veterinary Nurse migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 361311. 361311 is on STSOL and CSOL with nomination availability in all 8 states. Eligible visas: Subclass 190 State-Nominated, Subclass 491 Regional Provisional → 191, Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494 Regional Employer → 191, Subclass 482 Core Skills, and Subclass 407 Training. Not eligible for Subclass 189 Independent.
For the cost / timeline view see the 361311 cost & timeline case study. For VETASSESS document details see the skills assessment guide. For state-by-state comparison see the state nomination comparison. For invitation round patterns see the invitation rounds trends.
Step 1 — Confirm 361311 is the right code
ANZSCO 361311 covers veterinary nurse work — the clinical, technical, and animal-care support role in a veterinary practice, hospital, or specialty referral centre. Day-to-day work:
- Triage and admissions — initial patient assessment, history-taking, weight / vitals, parking the patient in appropriate ward.
- Pre-anaesthetic preparation — patient fasting check, IV catheter placement, fluid line setup, drug calculation under vet direction.
- Anaesthesia monitoring — capnograph, pulse oximeter, blood pressure (Doppler / oscillometric), ECG, temperature; recording vitals every 5 minutes during procedure.
- Surgical assistance — gowning / gloving, instrument count, scrub nurse role, intra-op fluid management, post-op recovery monitoring.
- Dental procedures — dental scaling, dental radiograph positioning, oral hygiene; commonly the lead nurse role.
- Diagnostic imaging — X-ray positioning, ultrasound preparation, MRI / CT positioning at specialty hospitals.
- Pathology / laboratory — blood smear preparation, in-house biochemistry (IDEXX, Heska analysers), urinalysis, faecal flotation, cytology slide preparation.
- Pharmacy — dispensing medications per veterinary prescription, scheduled drug log, IV / SC / IM injections under vet direction.
- Ward / hospital nursing — IV catheter care, fluid therapy management, vital signs charting, hand-feeding, recumbent patient turning.
- Emergency / critical care — CPR, RECOVER-certified procedures, defibrillation under vet direction.
- Client communication — discharge instructions, medication education, after-care advice, grief counselling support.
- Practice management — appointment scheduling, stock management, infection control, sterilisation (autoclave management), workplace safety.
Use ANZSCO search to verify the code-fit. The 3613 unit group contains only 361311 — veterinary nurse work doesn't have a sub-classification.
Distinguish from:
- 234711 Veterinarian — full vet (DVM / BVSc / BVMS), registered with state veterinary boards.
- 361115 Kennel Hand — kennel / boarding work without clinical nursing scope.
- 361199 Animal Attendants and Trainers nec — research animal technicians, wildlife rehab, where work doesn't reach clinical nursing.
Step 2 — VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS is the assessing authority. Standard requirements:
- Qualification — Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418) or Diploma of Veterinary Nursing (General Practice) ACM50121, or overseas equivalent.
- Skilled employment — at least 1 year highly relevant employment in the 5 years before applying (post-qualification).
- Clinical evidence — reference letters from veterinary practices detailing clinical duties.
Standard turnaround 12-16 weeks. Priority service available.
See the skills assessment guide for the full evidence pack.
Step 3 — English
EOI lodgement requires Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each / PTE 50 each). For points-tested 190 / 491, target Proficient (10 pts) or Superior (20 pts). Most successful vet nurses on 190 score Superior English.
Step 4 — Choose a visa pathway
361311 is not eligible for Subclass 189 Independent. Realistic pathways:
Subclass 190 State-Nominated
All 8 states nominate 361311 for 190. Strongest demand at NSW, Vic, QLD per FY 2025–26 allocations. State nomination adds 5 points. PR straight away.
Subclass 491 Regional Provisional → 191 PR
All 8 states nominate 361311 for 491. Adds 15 points. After 3 years' regional residence + earnings threshold, transition to Subclass 191 PR.
Subclass 186 Direct Entry → PR
Available since 361311 is on CSOL. Requires employer sponsor + Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) approval. Wall-clock 6-12 months. PR straight away.
Subclass 494 Regional Employer-Sponsored → 191 PR
Employer-sponsored regional pathway. Suitable for regional vet practice sponsors. Transitions to 191 PR after 3 years.
Subclass 482 Core Skills
Temporary 4-year work visa. Sponsor must pay at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (currently AUD 73,150). Transitions to 186 TRT after 2 years on visa + 3 years cumulative skilled employment.
Subclass 407 Training Visa
Short-term training visa for structured workplace training. Max 24 months. Useful for Australian experience that supports later 190 / 491 / 186.
Step 5 — Realistic Australian sponsors and employers
Veterinary nurse demand is strong across all segments:
- General practice corporate groups — Greencross Vets (largest national network — 200+ clinics across all states), Vets All Natural, Vetwest (WA), National Veterinary Care (acquired by Greencross), Apiam Animal Health (rural / mixed practice), Petstock Vet, My Vet.
- Specialty / emergency referral hospitals — SASH (Small Animal Specialist Hospital — Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide), Animal Referral Hospital (Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide), Veterinary Specialist Services (Brisbane), Animal Emergency Service (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, NSW), Sydney Veterinary Emergency & Specialists (SVES), Animal Emergency Centre (Vic / NSW / SA).
- University veterinary teaching hospitals — University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital (Camden / Sydney), University of Melbourne U-Vet (Werribee), University of Queensland Veterinary Medical Centre (Gatton), Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital (Perth), Charles Sturt University Vet School (Wagga).
- Independent / family-owned practices — thousands of small clinics across Australia; sponsorship typically through 482 / 186.
- Rural / large-animal / mixed practice — Apiam Animal Health (rural focus), Vetnostics (lab services), Pioneer Vet (mixed practice rural Vic).
- Government / regulatory — Department of Agriculture biosecurity (Mickleham PEQ Vic), state DPI / Department of Primary Industries vet services.
- Industry / pharma — Zoetis Australia, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Royal Canin, Hill's Pet Nutrition, MARS Petcare.
- Animal shelter / rescue veterinary — RSPCA hospital ward (where vet nurse delivers clinical care), Lort Smith Animal Hospital, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home veterinary ward, AWL clinics.
- Pet hotel / pet resort veterinary support — Hanrob Pet Hotel veterinary ward, Pet Resorts Australia.
Step 6 — Score points and lodge EOI
Use the points calculator to estimate. Typical minimum: 65 federal points + state nomination boost (5 for 190, 15 for 491). Most realistic 190 vet nurse candidates total 90-95+ points; 491 candidates typically 80-85+.
Score components:
- Age (max 30 pts at 25-32)
- English (Superior = 20 pts; Proficient = 10 pts)
- Skilled employment overseas (max 15 pts at 8+ years)
- Australian skilled employment (max 20 pts at 8+ years)
- Qualifications (max 20 pts doctorate; 15 bachelor; 10 Diploma)
- State nomination (5 for 190; 15 for 491)
- Australian study (5 pts)
- Regional study (5 pts)
- Partner skills (up to 10 pts)
Lodge EOI via SkillSelect and a state nomination ROI via the relevant state portal. See the invitation rounds tracker.
Step 7 — Submit visa application
Once invited, lodge the full application within 60 days. Standard documents:
- Skills assessment outcome (VETASSESS)
- Identity documents
- English test results
- Skilled employment evidence (clinical reference letters, payslips, tax records)
- Health examinations
- AFP character check + every country lived in 12+ months
- Form 80 + Form 1221
Use the document checklist and the eligibility wizard. The visa fee calculator confirms exact fees.
Tools
- Visa fee calculator
- Document checklist
- Eligibility wizard
- Invitation rounds tracker
- Skilled Occupation List
- Occupation Shortage List
Authoritative sources
- Home Affairs
- VETASSESS
- Australian Veterinary Association (AVA)
- Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA)
- Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS)
- Jobs and Skills Australia
Next step
Want to map your veterinary nurse profile against the 190 / 491 / 186 / 494 / 482 pathways? Book a 30-minute free strategy call with a MARA-registered agent at Global Select.