Vet Jobs Australia

Australia has lots to offer for people in the Veterinary industry in terms of employment. The country is able to offer Vets, Vet Nurses and industry professionals a range of different roles including commercial roles in the farm, small or equine sectors as well as locum positions. Whether you are a graduate or more experienced there are many Vet jobs in Australia waiting for you.

What are the Most Popular Places for Vets to Work in Australia?

Australia is a huge continent so there is no shortage of places to work either. There are veterinary jobs across Australia from Melbourne to Sydney and right across from Brisbane to Perth.

With a strong agricultural sector, there is a large supply of farm veterinary jobs in Australia, very popular with overseas workers.

We have Vet vacancies in all the states in Australia:
Sydney & New South Wales – Queensland – South Australia – Tasmania – Victoria – ACT – Western Australia.

How Much Can Vets Earn in Australia?

Salaries for Australian vets are good for the industry, with some great employment packages offering many opportunities for new training, bonuses and relocation expenses. New Veterinary surgeons in Australia usually earn AUD$80K-$90K + per year with experienced Veterinarians usually earning AUD$90K-$140K per year. Specialist roles can have a salary of AUD$140K-$180K.

A Vet Nurse salary in Australia can range from AUD$40K–$70K.

Are Vets in Demand in Australia?

Ask any Australian practice owner about hiring and you’ll hear the same thing: it’s been hard for years, and it’s not getting easier. Veterinary job vacancies have grown faster than almost any other healthcare field over the past five years, and roles now sit open for months longer than they used to.
Rural Australia has it worst, some regional practices have gone without a full-time vet for extended stretches. But don’t assume the cities are easy either: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane clinics are competing hard for the same shrinking pool of candidates. Government policy has caught up with reality here too, veterinarian sits on Australia’s key skilled migration lists, which tells you how seriously the shortage is being treated.

How Can I Move to Australia as a Vet?

Australia’s path for overseas vets runs through one gatekeeper: the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC). Nothing moves forward, registration or visa, until AVBC has assessed your qualification. The Vet Service can assist from early stages of your application, contact us to get started.

1. Get your qualifications assessed by the AVBC.
2. Secure a job offer from an Australian practice, or apply through a points-tested visa if you qualify independently.
3. Register with the relevant state or territory Veterinary Board once you have a role lined up.
4. Apply for your visa; most vets go through an employer-sponsored or skilled migration pathway, since veterinarian sits on Australia’s key occupation lists.

The Vet Service places vets across every Australian state, and the AVBC step is the one that trips people up most, mainly the English test requirement, which is stricter than most people expect. If you are a foreign veterinarian looking to work in Australia, please get in touch with our dedicated Australian relocation team for support.

What is the Work/Life Balance for Veterinarians in Australia?

Working in a Veterinary role and maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be difficult. In Australia, the Veterinary industry is committed to ensuring Vets do not become too burnt out by their work. Of course, this is helped by the more laid-back Australian lifestyle, with a strong focus on outdoor living, whether it’s surfing, sports, or just relaxing on the beach!

Working hard is important but vet jobs can be stressful so it’s important to look after your physical and mental health. Lots of roles offer employees perks such as further education and more holidays than standard. For those of you looking for even greater flexibility, you may want to consider a locum Vet job in Australia.

Are Relocation Fees Available for Vets Moving to Australia?

Relocation fees may be something you have to save for, after deciding to make the move. At The Vet Service, we have many roles with Veterinary practices that cover these costs for you helping you to cut down on the initial costs involved in moving to a new country.

Relocation Packages can include one-off relocation payments, return flight costs, accommodation and/or vehicle provided, professional fees & further certificates paid, sponsored visas & immigration agent fees paid.

What are the Legal Requirements?

To practise in Australia, you’ll need registration with the Veterinary Board in the state or territory where you plan to work, there’s no single national registration body. For overseas vets, the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) handles the qualification and skills assessment that most visa pathways require, separate from state registration itself. 

As part of that assessment, you’ll need a strong English test result, IELTS Academic 7.0 across all four skills is the usual benchmark, higher than many general visa requirements. Confirm the current standard directly with AVBC before applying. For a full list of what degrees are accepted please contact one of our advisors at The Vet Service directly.

What are the Visa Requirements for Veterinary Jobs in Australia?

Veterinarian appears on Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List and Core Skills Occupation List, giving you access to several visa routes. This includes employer-sponsored options like the Skills in Demand visa, and points-tested pathways for those without a job offer yet.

Occupation lists are reviewed regularly, so confirm your current status with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent before you commit to a pathway. Before applying for most skilled visas, you’ll also need a positive skills assessment from the AVBC, which includes a fairly demanding English test requirement, so factor that into your planning early. Here at The Vet Service, we can point you in the right direction for an appropriate Visa.

Why Work as a Vet in Australia?

• There are many small animal opportunities – including specialist roles involving Australia’s unique wildlife. Real strong opportunities to progress your small animal career in any direction you wish – surgery/medicine/ECC etc
• Large mixed clinics in the more rural, inland areas with great equine referral clinics for those who want to specialise in this area.
• Beautiful country to live in – experience a wonderful year-round climate, outdoor adventure opportunities and friendly, laid-back people.