current status

• What is the approximate number of veterinarians in Australia?

  15,000
• What percentage of veterinarians in Australia are cisgender female?

  70%
• What percentage of veterinarians in Australia are in private practice?

  70%
• How many registered veterinarians are there in the USA as of 2023?

  127,131
• What is the number of registered veterinarians in Canada as of 2023?

  15,459
• How many veterinary technicians and nurses are there in Australia?

  12,000
• What percentage of veterinary technicians and nurses in Australia are female?

  97%
• What is the primary qualification for 53% of veterinary technicians and nurses in Australia?

  Certificate qualification
• What was the pet ownership percentage in Australia in 2019?

  62%
• What was the value of pet products and services in Australia?

  $14 billion
• What are the key players in the Australian Veterinary and Allied Animal Health Industries?

  • Animal owners and general public
  • Government and professional bodies
  • Privately owned veterinary practices
  • Not-for-profit veterinary services
  • Allied veterinary businesses (diagnostics, CE providers, etc.)
  • Pharmaceutical and pet food companies
  • Various peak bodies and organizations
• What are the career options available in the veterinary field?

  • Clinical veterinary practice
  • Government roles
  • Academia
  • Allied industry
  • Public health
  • Laboratories and diagnostics
  • Consultancy
  • Education
  • Research
  • Animal welfare
  • Wildlife and conservation
• What are the focuses of clinical practice in veterinary medicine?

  • General vs Specialist
  • Mixed animals, small animals, large animals
  • Livestock, equine, avian, and exotics
  • Emergency/afterhours, wildlife, aquaculture
  • Practice management and leadership
• What are the focuses of specialty practice in veterinary medicine?

  • Medicine and surgery for LA/SA
  • Emergency and critical care
  • Oncology, dentistry, imaging
  • Theriogenology, dermatology, ophthalmology
  • Cardiology, behavior, welfare, forensics
• What roles do veterinarians have in government positions?

  • Policy and legislation development
  • Compliance and regulatory activities
  • Surveillance and emergency animal disease response
  • Biosecurity and quarantine
  • Public health and food security
  • Research and diagnostic laboratories
• What are the focuses of research in veterinary medicine?

  • Research higher degrees (Honours, MPhil/PhD)
  • Post-Doc research and academia
  • Research assistant roles
  • Research facility management
  • Clinical versus social research
• What are the focuses of allied industries in veterinary medicine?

  • Animal health and pharmaceuticals
  • Nutrition and insurance
  • Software and supporting technology
  • Wholesale companies
  • Training and continuing education
• What do clinical veterinarians typically do?

  • Preventative medicine and vaccinations
  • Routine healthcare and consultations
  • Diagnostics and imaging
  • Surgery and emergency services
  • Behaviour management and humane euthanasia
• What services do GP livestock/farm animal veterinarians provide?

  • Herd health and general diagnostics
  • Preventative healthcare and routine husbandry
  • Disease testing and biosecurity advice
  • Pregnancy testing and AI
  • Surgery and postmortem services
• What services do GP equine veterinarians provide?

  • Preventative medicine and vaccinations
  • Routine healthcare and diagnostics
  • Lameness work-ups and care
  • Surgery and reproduction services
  • Dental care and pregnancy scans
• What services do avian and exotic veterinarians provide?

  • Preventative healthcare and sick animal consults
  • Healthy pet exams and disease testing
  • Microchipping and emergency care
  • Anaesthesia and surgery considerations
  • Behavioural management and training consults
• What is the common legal structure of veterinary practices in Australia?

  Sole traders, partnerships, corporate
• What is the basic veterinary business model focused on?

  Generating a surplus from services
• What are the main expenses for veterinary practices?

  Salaries and costs of drugs
• What factors influence the design of veterinary premises and facilities?

  • Services provided and patient needs
  • Client care and experience
  • Workflow facilitation
  • Species welfare and husbandry requirements
  • Staff activities and communication
• What qualifications do veterinarians typically hold?

  BVSc, DVM, BCMS, BVM BVS, BVetMed
• What is the role of veterinary nurses in Australia?

  Assist veterinarians in clinical tasks
• What is the professional body for veterinary nurses in Australia?

  VNCA
• What is the typical duration of a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing in Australia?

  3 years
• What qualifications do veterinary technologists and technicians typically hold in Australasia?

  Bachelor degree (3 years)
• What vocational training options are available for animal assistants and kennel hands?

  Certificate II and III in Animal Studies
• What is the role of practice managers in veterinary practices?

  Oversee day-to-day operations and planning
• How does the veterinary healthcare team fit together?

  • Different roles and areas of expertise
  • Importance of effectiveness in service delivery
  • Interprofessional practice
  • Adaptation to business needs and services offered
• What are the current workforce challenges in the veterinary sector?

  • Growth in the sector and career mobility
  • Changing demographics and work-life priorities
  • Relative shortages in rural areas
  • Impact of the pandemic on wellness
• What is the risk of stress and burnout in the veterinary profession?

  High risk of compassion fatigue
• What is a common technological trend in veterinary practices?

  Constantly arising technology