AVA’s ACT pre-budget submission

The AVA has lodged a pre-budget submission for the 2024-25 ACT Government The document makes recommendations around areas of priority for the AVA. The submission details the AVA priorities that should be considered by the ACT Government to support veterinary professionals and the veterinary sector. For detailed information please read the full AVA submission. 

Three key topics and six key recommendations were included

1. Veterinary professionals – at greater risk of poor mental health

Recommendation 1.1 Funding for the AVA wellness initiative (THRIVE)

The ACT Government commit to funding ($150,000 over 4 years) to the AVA’s wellness initiative, THRIVE to support veterinarians and veterinary staff to lead satisfying, prosperous and healthy careers.  This includes the expansion of a range of existing programs being undertaken by the AVA for the veterinary profession and implementing new programs under the areas of prevent, promote and protect. These bespoke programs provide psychological health and safety awareness training, mental health first aid, suicide prevention and counselling for veterinarians.

2. Build and retain veterinary workforce

Recommendation 2.1 Student placement support

The ACT Government subsidies for accommodation and travel costs associated with students undertaking clinical placements in the ACT. Because here is no university that has a veterinary school in the ACT, no veterinary students are based here, and the cost of travel and accommodation for students seeking placements in ACT veterinary facilities can be prohibitive. Students are an important source of future staff.

Recommendation 2.2 Recent Graduate Rural and Regional incentive funding

The ACT Government implement an incentive scheme that provides a financial payment to recent graduates who begin their veterinary careers in the ACT region. The incentive would be in two parts, firstly an initial payment that is aimed at supporting the relocation costs incurred by the recent graduate. A second payment would be available once a recent graduate had completed at least five years veterinary practice in the ACT

3. Sustainability of veterinary services – recouping the costs of delivery of public good delivered by the private veterinary sector

Recommendation 3.1 - Biosecurity funding

In its funding of the biosecurity system the ACT Government commit to including increased specific investment in veterinary services (particularly rural and regional) and supporting delivery of those veterinary services that deliver public good.

Recommendation 3.2 - Animal care during emergency disaster situations

The ACT Government establish a disaster response and recovery fund to support the provision of veterinary care to animals impacted in natural disasters.

Recommendation 3.3 - Veterinary services for wildlife

The ACT Government commit funding for a pilot program to private veterinary businesses to assist with the variable cost of delivery of veterinary services to Australia’s wildlife.