Help advance veterinary science by completing these surveys from your veterinary peers. If you would like your survey to be considered for inclusion, please submit details to communications@ava.com.au Please include: Survey name, brief description, ethics approval ID, survey link, close date (if known – surveys will be removed from this page after one year, unless length of survey duration is indicated).
2026 Workforce Survey
Veterinarians and anyone with veterinary science qualifications are invited to participate in the 2026 AVA Workforce Survey. This is the 8th Workforce Survey the AVA has conducted since launching them in 2012, and it is being undertaken to assist with gathering the data needed for effective workforce planning.
In the recent Parliamentary Inquiries into the veterinary shortage, the AVA has highlighted the need for improved data and planning on the veterinary workforce.
We are currently in our 9th year of shortage, and the strong growth in demand for veterinary services we’ve seen over the last few years is making the situation more challenging. The long training time for new veterinarians means the market does not respond quickly to changes in demand.
Data from previous Workforce Surveys is used extensively by the AVA in our policy and advocacy work. In recent years, this work has been gaining traction, but we need to continue to push for the support the sector needs. Part of this is ensuring that we keep updating our data on the workforce, and that’s where you come in. The survey is voluntary, but ideally, we need every veterinarian (whether you are working as a vet or not) who permanently resides in Australia, with a degree registerable in Australia, to complete it so the data is as rigorous as possible. The survey is anonymous, and much of the data gathered is not collected anywhere else – meaning it fills a critical gap in our understanding of the veterinary workforce.
The link below takes you to the survey and the plain language statement, which explains the survey in more depth and provides ethics approval and contact details for more information.
Please share this with all your colleagues and encourage them to also take the survey. By taking the time to complete this survey, you are helping ensure the survey results paint a holistic picture of the veterinary workforce and the challenges it’s facing.
Who can I contact if I have any concerns about the project?
This project has human research ethics approval from Murdoch University. If you have any reservations or complaints about the ethical conduct of this research, and wish to talk with an independent person, you may contact Murdoch University’s Research Ethics & Integrity on Tel. 08 9360 6677 (+61 8 9360 6677 for overseas studies) or e-mail human.ethics@murdoch.edu.au. Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully, and you will be informed of the outcome.
A copy of the information sheet for this research can be obtained by this link.
If you have any questions for the research team in relation to the survey, please contact graham.pratt@ava.com.au
Survey link. Approval ID: 2026/177
Calling all veterinarians treating Small Animals
Veterinarians who manage any reproductive cases (from routine spay and neuter to specialist work-ups) in dogs and/or cats are invited to take part in an anonymous online survey on antimicrobial use in small animal practice.
These data are rarely collected and will help fill a critical gap in understanding of real‑world prescribing and stewardship in this area.
The more veterinarians participate, the more useful and representative the findings will be. So please consider adding your voice.
The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Survey link. Approval ID: 36228
Five Domains Survey
Veterinary Pharmacovigilance in Australia
You are invited to take a short anonymous survey on adverse drug event reporting in Australia.
This is the first national study to explore how Australian veterinarians engage with the APVMA Adverse Experience Reporting Program. Your responses will help improve veterinary pharmacovigilance systems for vets and animal owners across the country.
- Open to all veterinarians currently practicing in Australia
- Takes less than 10 minutes
- Completely anonymous
Survey link. Ethics Approval ID: 2026/HE010552
Supporting the next generation of ACT vets
We’d like to invite you to fill out the short 5 min questionnaire that Natalie Wood, AVA ACT Division President 2026–27, has put together in order to support the next generation of ACT veterinarians.
Below is a message from Natalie and the link to survey.
I am seeking veterinarians and veterinary practices across the ACT to participate in a short questionnaire exploring how veterinary businesses currently support, train and assess new graduate veterinarians during their first 12 months in practice.
As a companion animal veterinarian with rising 10 years of experience, I feel fortunate that my own introduction to the profession set me up for a positive outlook on veterinary medicine. My first couple of years were challenging at times, but I had consistent, evidence-based support from a dedicated mentor and many experienced veterinarians who took me under their wing. I never felt unsupported or lost, regardless of where my knowledge or practical deficits lay.
I would like all new graduates to have the opportunity to experience that same support.
This questionnaire aims to understand what ACT practices currently have in place for mentorship, competency assessment and probation, what challenges they face, common graduate skill gaps, and what practices feel they do well.
This is about learning from our collective experience and finding ways to better support the next generation of ACT veterinarians.
I would greatly value your honest insights and participation.
Ultimately, I hope this research can contribute to an ACT wide, Year One Veterinary Competency & Mentorship Handbook.
Adelaide University: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of canine heartworm management in Australian veterinarians
How is canine heartworm really being managed across Australia?
Adelaide University is conducting a national study on canine heartworm management, to explore knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceptions of heartworm risk and management across Australia. Your insights will help improve understanding of current veterinary practice and may contribute to future evidence-based heartworm management guidelines.
The survey is completely anonymous, takes approximately 15 minutes and includes multiple choice and short-answer questions.
Regardless of your experience with heartworm, your responses will be invaluable.
Survey link here. HREC approval number: 5083
Australian Veterinary Association: THRIVE Veterinary Community Wellbeing Survey
Have your say and help shape evidence-based wellbeing initiatives, advocacy and reform for a thriving Australian veterinary profession. The 2026 survey will provide critical insights into the Australian veterinary profession’s mental health and wellbeing and the findings will inform future research and support advocacy for meaningful reform and investment on behalf of the profession.
We encourage every member of our veterinary community to complete the survey – including registered veterinarians, vet nurses, practice managers, clinic administration staff, students and other relevant stakeholders. You could be working in clinical practice, other industries, retired, or not currently working – we are eager to hear from the entire veterinary community.
The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. This project has human research ethics approval from The University of Melbourne [Project ID: 34179].
Survey link: https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_bkr2J7mnmWwGUdw
Research Survey: Prophylactic postoperative antimicrobial practices following routine surgery in general practice in Australia
Australian veterinarians are invited to participate in a short online survey exploring antimicrobial prescribing practices following routine soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery in small animal practice. The study aims to better understand current prescribing practices for post-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis and support ongoing antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.
Complete the survey: https://forms.gle/n2KSj2v5STdJCEa89
Survey closes: 9 August 2026
Ethics approval: RCVS Ethical Review Committee
University of Melbourne: research on veterinarians’ perceptions of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) and digital tools in veterinary practice.
Veterinarians are invited to participate in a short online survey exploring opinions of Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) and digital tools in Australian veterinary practice.
The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, and participation is voluntary and anonymous.
Your input is highly valuable. There are no right or wrong answers to any of the questions; this is about understanding your perspective. The findings will contribute to the development of practical digital tools designed to support veterinarians in clinical decision-making.
This project has human research ethics approval from the University of Melbourne, Ethics ID: 35358.
If you would like to participate, please access this survey link.
Posted 1 July 2026
University of Queensland: Occupational noise in Australian companion animal veterinary clinics: A study of worker perceptions, health impacts and hazard controls.
This survey is asking questions about companion animal veterinary worker perceptions, health impacts and noise controls as they relate to the hazard of occupational noise. (Ethics approval: 2026/HE010884).
Survey link: https://uniofqueensland.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cx1MJPFvsgahpUa
Posted 14 May 2026
University of Melbourne: Neospora caninum in Victorian Cattle Farms
Neospora caninum is one of the leading infectious causes of abortion in cattle worldwide, including in Australia. Despite its economic and animal welfare impact, there is limited information about Victorian veterinarians’ and producers’ current experiences, knowledge, and perceptions regarding the parasite and its management. (Ethics approval reference: 2024-29930-56728-3)
The survey aims to:
- Identify current levels of awareness and understanding of Neospora caninum
- Explore how cases are identified, diagnosed, and managed in practice
- Highlight potential gaps in knowledge or resources that could inform future extension and education programs.
Survey link: https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_6PTQFINUyT6Kg74
Posted: 19 September 2025
University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies: Miniature Horse and Small Pony Welfare in Australia
Are there welfare concerns affecting miniature horses and small ponies in Australia, does size matter? There is little data on the welfare concerns of miniature horses and small ponies in Australia. The University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies kindly invite veterinarians, equine veterinarians and equine practitioners to complete the following survey (approximately 5 – 10 mins), so we can identify and understand potential welfare concerns affecting the miniature horse and small pony populations in Australia. We thank you greatly for your time. (Ethics approval: HERC_2022_152)
Survey Link: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/edinburgh/pilot-miniature-horse-and-small-pony-welfare-in-australia-dupli
Posted: 4 September 2025
University of Adelaide: The perspective of veterinary professionals on supportive leaders managing challenging interpersonal situations
In this study, researchers would like to understand how leaders can best support their teams during the difficult situations, such as conflict, incivility, team negativity, challenging clients or other negative interpersonal exchanges of words and actions. (Ethics approval: H-2025-132).
Survey Link: https://adelaideuniwide.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2homcdN2rdil23s
Posted: 28 July 2025
LaTrobe University: Client Care and Staff Wellbeing Survey
Do you work in a veterinary clinic? We’d love to learn about your thoughts on client care and staff wellbeing. We’re looking for individuals who are currently employed in veterinary clinics to take part in an anonymous survey about your opinions and behaviours in relation to approaches that support clients and promote staff wellbeing.
Your responses will help researchers better understand the everyday experiences of veterinary professionals and identify areas where future support or training could be useful. (Human Ethics Approval: HEC25239).
The survey takes about 20 minutes and is completely anonymous. In appreciation of your participation, we will be donating $3AUD per completed survey to Flynn’s Walk, up to a total donation of $1000AUD.
Survey Link: https://lnkd.in/grmittNU
Posted: 21 July 2025
University of Sydney: Understanding Zoonotic Disease Prevention Among NSW Veterinarians and Veterinary Students: A Focus on Rabies Vaccination
With increasing human-wildlife interaction, especially with bats carrying Australian Bar Lyssavirus (ABLV), it is crucial to understand how veterinary professionals assess and respond to zoonotic diseases. Despite recommendations for pre-exposure rabies vaccination, current coverage among NSW veterinary professionals remains unknown. The findings will provide insights into both occupational health practices and the availability of immediate veterinary care for injured bats, informing strategies to enhance zoonotic disease prevention in veterinary settings.
We are seeking registered veterinarians working in private practices in New South Wales and veterinary students enrolled in New South Wales. This study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of The University of Sydney 2025/HE000167.
Survey Link: https://sydney.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_doi86oedMv4GGKG
Posted 10 July 2025
Murdoch University: Understanding Traumatic Experiences Among Australian Veterinary Professionals
Are you an Australian veterinarian, veterinary nurse, or technician? Share your experiences with workplace trauma in this study exploring its impact on mental health. Participation involves an online questionnaire (~15 min) and optional interviews. Eligible participants who complete interviews will receive a $40 gift voucher.
For questions, contact Joyce Lau (student) at 30656154@student.murdoch.edu.au or Dr. Danielle Mathersul (supervisor) at Danielle.Mathersul@murdoch.edu.au. This study is approved by the Murdoch University Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval 2025/023).
Screening questionnaire: https://murdochuni.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Hc8uzK5Dt0SKAm
Posted 14 March 2025
The University of Melbourne: Australian veterinarians’ attitudes and practices towards routine desexing procedures in dogs.
We are inviting Australian practicing vets to complete a survey on your routine desexing practice. This project is led by final year University of Melbourne Veterinary students Amos Goh, Gary Chung, Jia Hui Yap, and Dr. Steven Impey and Dr Mel Blevins of the University of Melbourne. You will be asked about your background as a veterinarian, recommendations surrounding desexing, as well as surgical and pharmaceutical procedures. The survey should not take more than 15 minutes to complete, and your invaluable responses will be a massive contribution towards informing current industry practices, teaching strategies at the Melbourne Vet School, CPD offerings, and future research directions.
The University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee approval 2024-30261-60730-4.
Survey link: https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_3xt5geg5YKqzeZM
Posted: 10 February 202
