AVA's Return to Work program is a flexible, self-paced online program designed to help veterinarians re-enter the workforce with confidence and clinical readiness.
5
Clinical modules
4
Non-clinical modules
1
Practical Skills Guide
Self paced
Online delivery
Designed for a confident return
The program is structured to meet you where you are, whether you need a full clinical refresher or targeted support in specific areas.
Flexible self-paced
- Complete the full program or select only the modules relevant to your situation. No fixed schedule or cohort requirements.
Clinically current content
- Modules are designed to refresh and consolidate knowledge across diagnostics, surgery, anaesthesia, pathology and pharmacology.
Practical pathway back
- Non-clinical modules cover job searching, workplace integration and priority setting, giving you a structured pathway from intention to employment.
Hands-on reinforcement
- The practical skills guide supports supervised clinic-based training alongside the online content, so learning translates to real practice.
Is this program right for you?
Veterinarians returning to clinical practice after a career break or period of leave
Veterinarians in practice or industry seeking a clinical or professional refresher
Veterinary students looking to consolidate learning ahead of practice
PROGRAM CONTENT
What you will learn
You can complete the full program or select specific modules. A self-assessment tool is available to help identify which modules are most relevant to your needs.
Clinical modules
Perform Medical and Diagnostic Techniques
General diagnostic principles, consultation procedures including vaccinations, and therapy for most diseases diagnosed.
Provide Anaesthesia and Critical Care
Effects of anaesthesia on physiology, stages of anaesthesia and recovery, use of common anaesthetic agents and pain control in animals.
Perform Surgery
Various surgical techniques including common daily “routine” surgeries and soft tissue procedures
Undertake Clinical Pathology Testing
Techniques required for in house pathology testing, sample collection for external testing and interpretation of test results.
Provide Medications and Therapeutic Interventions
Drug classes, mechanisms of action, interactions and side effects.
Non-clinical modules
Self-reflection and priority setting
Explore your reasons for returning to work, techniques for building confidence, and tools for planning your re-entry.
Practical preparation
Personal preparation steps needed to get ready to resume your career effectively.
Finding and applying for positions
Practical steps for finding and applying for veterinary roles.
Settling into practice
Practical tips for managing time and priorities, integrating into a new team and negotiating workplace conflict.
A companion resource that encourages supervised, hands-on training opportunities at a convenient clinic, with structured prompts for professional reflection and goal setting. Included free with full program registration.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
What you will be able to do
- Plan your return and set realistic professional goals
- Rejoin a veterinary team effectively and confidently
- Access recruitment tools and navigate the job market
- Manage the challenges of returning after a period of absence
- Apply general diagnostic principles in small animal practice
- Administer and manage anaesthesia safely
- Perform common surgical and soft tissue procedures
- Interpret clinical pathology results and apply pharmacology knowledge
FEES & REGISTRATION
Flexible enrolment options
FULL PROGRAM (9 MODULES)
$990 – includes practical guide
Includes all clinical and non-clinical modules plus the complimentary practical skills guide.
INDIVIDUAL MODULES
$110 each
Pick and choose the modules most relevant to your needs. Use the self-assessment to guide your selection.
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FULL PROGRAM (9 MODULES)
$FREE
AVA All Access and Flexi members: Registration for the full Return to Work program is currently free.
Not yet a member? Join today.
Everything you need to know
Questions?
Read our FAQ’s
Not sure where to start? Use the self-assessment to identify which modules are most relevant to your needs.
To enrol, email education@ava.com.au with your full name, contact number, AVA ID (if known) and whether you want the full program or specific modules. A confirmation email will follow payment, with access instructions arriving within approximately 1-2 business days.
There is no set time limit. As a guide, participants should expect each module to take six to eight weeks at approximately one to two hours of self-paced learning per week.
The modules are fully online and accessible from any device at any time. Once enrolled, all you need is a device and an internet connection.
Clinical modules: Allow approximately 8 to 10 hours per module. Additional time is needed if you choose to complete the optional assessment.
Non-clinical modules: Allow approximately 2 to 4 hours per module, including reading, reflection and activities.
Everyone learns at a different pace, so take as much or as little time as you need to feel confident with the learning outcomes.
Each clinical module includes an optional 12-question assessment covering a mix of question types including true/false, multiple choice and missing word. Completion is encouraged as it supports reflection on your learning and qualifies as structured CPD.
Your grade is provided immediately after submission. There is no required passing grade, and you have up to three attempts per assessment. After each attempt, take time to review the feedback provided per question before trying again.
Non-clinical modules do not include an assessment.
You will receive a Certificate of Achievement for each module completed. For the clinical modules, the certificate type depends on your learning path:
Certificate of Achievement (module only) — awarded if you complete the clinical module without the assessment.
Certificate of Achievement (assessment completed) — awarded if you complete both the clinical module and the optional assessment. This certificate displays your highest assessment grade and classifies your learning as structured CPD.
Yes. The amount of CPD depends on the module type and whether you complete the optional assessment.
Your certificate will automatically display your CPD points. AVA members are encouraged to record hours via My CPD in your AVA dashboard.
| Module type | Path | CPD points | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical | Module and assessment | 10 | Structured |
| Clinical | Module only | 5 | Unstructured |
| Non-clinical | Module only | 4 | Unstructured |
The program content was curated by a team of experienced veterinary professionals and developed and published by the AVA.
Clinical modules
Dr Philip Brain BVSc FACVSC FAVA
Small animal practitioner of 25 years. Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Medicine and Fellow of the AVA. More
Dr Phil Tucak BSc BVMS
Experienced in small animal medicine and surgery. Practises at Cottesloe Vet in Perth and works as Wildlife Outreach Vet across Australia and internationally. More
Dr Jo Sussex BVSc(Hons) BA(Psych)
General practice veterinarian in Cairns with clinical interests in anaesthesia, chronic disease and diagnostic imaging. Contributor to workforce sustainability research and the Return to Work program.
Dr Carmel Griffin BVSc CSAM GCEd MANZCVSc
Former Clinical Academic in Small Animal Medicine at the University of Queensland. Returned to practice after a career break and now Director of Operations at Improve International Australia.
Non-clinical modules
Crampton Consulting Group
A consultancy with over 16 years of experience working exclusively in the Australasian veterinary industry.
Ready to register?
Email education@ava.com.au with your full name, contact number, AVA ID (if known) and whether you want the full program or specific modules. Connected members and non-members will be contacted to arrange payment.