NSW Minister visits Wauchope Vet Clinic

^{Minister Tara Moriarty (left) with Dr Michael Ferguson}  

This week Dr Michael Ferguson welcomed Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty to his veterinary clinic in Wauchope, NSW. It was a good opportunity to share with the Minister his experience of recruiting veterinary professionals to rural and regional NSW. 

The visit follows the NSW Government’s expansion of The Welcome Experience to include veterinarians, vet nurses, vet technicians and their families. Part of the Essential Worker Attraction Program, this initiative assists essential workers in relocating and settling into regional NSW communities by helping them find housing, childcare, employment opportunities for partners and making introductions to community organisations and locals. 

"It was a valuable opportunity to host the Minister for Agriculture at Wauchope Veterinary Clinic, allowing us to highlight the challenges of recruiting and retaining veterinary professionals in rural practice, and to demonstrate the essential services we provide to the community," said Dr Michael Ferguson, owner of Wauchope Vet Clinic. 

The AVA’s 2023 Workforce Survey indicates that 55% of veterinary positions in regional NSW remained vacant for more than 12 months. Factors such as professional burnout, mental health challenges, and limited access to childcare and housing exacerbate recruitment and retention difficulties in rural regions. 

The NSW Inquiry into Veterinary workforce shortages in NSW recognised this and recommended the NSW Government considers providing financial incentives for veterinarians who work with livestock, to ensure an adequate number of large animal practitioners are available to support primary producers in regional areas.  

In its response, the NSW Government expressed in-principal support for this recommendation, which acknowledges the importance of addressing workforce shortages in these vital areas through financial incentives. 

The expansion of The Welcome Experience to include veterinary professionals is a positive development, addressing relocation information and connection aspects. The AVA remains committed to continue advocating for financial incentives to effectively attract and retain veterinary professionals in rural and regional areas across Australia.