Veterinary medicine in Australia

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Australia is a place where many people immigrate to in the past few decades, mostly because of the steady and strong economy, liberal society and natural resources it offers. The country is open to newcomers and the process of getting a citizenship is easier than many other places on the planet.

Australia Veterinary Professional Opportunities

The veterinary profession is highly valued! There are a lot of options for professionals from all around the world to find the right spot on the workforce market.   

Australia Veterinary

Where can you work as a vet?

In Australia, the DVM degree gives you an opportunity to work in a variety of medical and industrial branches. Most of the veterinarians with a DVM degree work in a private practice. Which, usually employs one or two veterinary doctors and focuses both on livestock and pets. Increasing trend in the field of veterinary medicine is a certified specialization that limits the type of work of the doctor. The limitation goes for type of animals or type of procedures specialized for (thoracic surgery, cardiology, dermatology, epidemiology etc.) Limiting yourself doesn’t stop the vet from doing the usual vet procedures. However, preferably focuses him/her on precise fields of work. Besides private practice, a smaller number of vets works in teaching and research, the pharmaceutical industry, wildlife and aquaculture, animal welfare and pet food industry. The profession Veterinary Nurse is also popular in Australia and requires a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing. Another degree you are eligible to work within the field of Veterinary Medicine is the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology degree. Alternative title for Veterinary Nurse in Australia is Veterinary Assistant.

Required licenses

The veterinary schools in Australia offer a three-year program for becoming a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology. Another degree that makes it possible to work in a private practice generally is the Associate Degree in Veterinary Nursing. Except for the Certificate IV in Veterinary nursing, future vet assistants need to submit required form and pay a fee in order to get an approval. DVM’s carry two titles in Australia: veterinarian and veterinary surgeon. They can apply for a license only if they hold a degree from institutions accredited by the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons), AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and the AVBC (Australian Veterinary Board Council). The majority of these vet school are situated in USA, UK and Ireland. Check Top 5 Veterinary Colleges in the US and Top 5 Veterinary Medicine Universities in Europe! In case your degree doesn’t give you an option to register for a license, you can apply and take the National Veterinary Exam. You can compare the procedures with the ones in Europe here: Veterinary Medicine in Europe. Also you can compare with the Veterinary medicine in USA.

Australia Veterinary
University of Sydney Main Quadrangle

Universities and accreditation

Veterinary schools in Australia are accredited by the VSAAC (Veterinary Schools Accreditation Advisory Committee). The VSAAC reports solely to the veterinary board council. A total of 8 veterinary degrees are currently accredited by the AVBC in Australia.          

Opportunities for work

Even though the need for veterinary professionals in Australia is grand at the moment, because of the popularity of the profession it’s expected for the demand of workforce to be continuously decreasing. Another factor involved in the decline of demand is the increasing immigration rate of foreign workforce. This generally goes for the small animals private practice sector. Supply of fresh veterinarians willing and able to work with livestock and herd health is small and does not meet the market needs. Revenues depend on experience, location, and occupation. Highest pay rates are registered with veterinary pathologists in Brisbane (100.000 $ annually). Lowest incomes have small animal veterinarians in Gold Coast (below 80.000 $ annually). The average salary per year for veterinarians in Australia comes up to 64.000 $ and for veterinary nurses 41.000 $.

With sufficient average salary for veterinarians and vet nurses and great job opportunities, Australia seems to be the vet-heaven on earth.

Besides having the utmost open and liberal market, fantastic nature and multicultural segments of society, for veterinary professionals the excitement of getting to heal and work with exotic creatures only seen there, makes you cherish and love your profession even more.

Does anyone want to catheterize a kangaroo?

If you want to know more about Veterinary Medicine profession options around the world read Veterinary Medicine in The USA article on our blog.

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