New national standards for private vets working in EAD responses

What happens if there’s another equine influenza outbreak? Or something worse?

Governments will need private veterinary practitioners to help with response efforts, but how will they do it?

The equine influenza outbreak in 2007-08 highlighted ad hoc and inconsistent employment processes and rates of pay used by different states for private veterinarians.

The AVA has been advocating for a cooperative approach to the problem since then, and the nation’s chief veterinary officers have worked together to finalise a solution.

“The need for nationally consistent arrangements was reiterated in 2011 by the Matthews report, an independent qualitative assessment of Australia’s foot-and-mouth disease preparedness,” said Dr Mark Schipp, Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer.

Private vets will now take part in emergency animal disease (EAD) responses either as an employee of a state or territory government, or as an independent contractor.

Consistent rates of pay have been agreed, and will be reviewed annually and indexed in line with increases in Commonwealth pay rates.

Employees will be paid at one of three rates, according to their veterinary experience and additional EAD response training. The current rates are between $86,247 and $109,584 per annum.

The current pay rate for contractors is $180 per hour excluding GST or $1800 per day (based on a 10-hour day).

Further information is available in the national guidance document which describes the overall context, background and structure of the arrangements. Details are also available on the employment conditions for vets and what should be in each employment contract.

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“The development of nationally consistent arrangements and remuneration will go a long way to ensuring the engagement of private vets in the future is equitable, efficient and transparent,” said Dr Schipp.

“It’s also a good example of how collaborative efforts between government and private vets can achieve long-term enhancement of Australia’s emergency animal disease preparedness, in turn protecting both animal health and the economy.”

The AVA participated in the working group that produced the national terms and conditions, and members’ feedback was included in the development process. More information will be available soon about insurance arrangements for private veterinary practitioners participating in an EAD response.