New Zealand Certificate in Animal Healthcare Assisting (Level 4)

Programme outline

You'll learn about animal communication and behaviour, husbandry and hygiene, and handling and restraints for a variety of companion animals. You'll also learn about infection control, interpersonal relationships and clinical effectiveness. 

Graduates of the programme will have the skills and knowledge to assist in the provision of healthcare for animal patients, working under broad supervision or guidance, within their scope of practice.

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration on the New Zealand Register of Animal Healthcare Assistants.

More detail about this qualification

This programme is delivered by blended learning, i.e. face to face and online learning. This means some of your lessons may be delivered via Moodle (our online learning platform), which will require you to have a computer and internet access at home.

You will be required to attend two on-campus days each week. In 2025 this will be Wednesday and Thursday.

Practicum

You must complete at least 240 hours of practicum during the programme.   

Weekly placements should be in an animal care facility such as a cattery, kennels, rescue, or doggy day-care.  If you are not already working or volunteering in one of these areas, we recommend you arrange a placement close to home.  Our staff will assist you if you have difficulty finding a placement.

Placements should be one day a week for at least six hours and cannot be on Wednesday or Thursdays (your on-campus teaching days). Placements can start from the beginning of week four, but only after you have completed your 'Passport to Practicum'.

In Trimester 2, you will be required to complete a block placement at a vet clinic, to achieve a minimum of 80 hours. Please do not book the block placement until you have started the programme.

Courses

Course code	Course name	Credits
ANML4101	Companion Animal Professionalism and Infection Control	15
ANML4102	Companion Animal Anatomy and Physiology	15
ANML4103	Introduction to Companion Animal Husbandry and Behaviour	15
ANML4104	Companion Animal Practicum 1	15
ANML4105	Companion Animal Health and Hygiene	15
ANML4106	Companion Animal Clinical Assistance	15
ANML4107	Companion Animal Preparation for Practice	15
ANML4108	Companion Animal Practicum 2	15

 

Course related costs

The following costs are approximate. Confirmed costs and details on where to purchase your uniform will be sent out prior to the programme's start date.

• Uniform: $100
• Placement travel costs: these will vary depending on where you live and where your placements are.

Entry requirements

40 credits at NCEA Level 1, including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits, or a recognised equivalent; OR a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2 or above, or a recognised equivalent.

International

Proven equivalence of entry requirements plus an IELTS score of 5.5 (general or academic) with no individual band lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.

*For fee exclusions, please see our terms and conditions.

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission, all applicants must complete a health and criminal declaration form to ensure fitness to practice, prior to acceptance into the programme.

*Convictions of any offence may not necessarily exclude applicants from enrolment. Any decision is made on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the delegated authority.  

Selection processes may apply where the number of applications exceed the number of available places.

Credit recognition

If you have relevant skills and knowledge through study or experiences in work or other activities, you may be able to receive credit for them when enrolling in a programme of study. This is done through a process called credit recognition.

How to apply

Complete the health and criminal declaration form and save to your computer so you can attach it when you complete the online application.