Consultation for Inquiry into the veterinary workforce shortage in NSW

13 Jun 2023

On 9th June 2023, the Inquiry into the veterinary workforce shortage in NSW was established by the NSW Parliament Legislative Council Portfolio Committee No. 4 – Regional NSW.

The AVA would like to emphasise the significance of this inquiry to the veterinary profession. This inquiry presents a unique opportunity for the veterinary profession to voice our concerns, provide valuable insights, and propose meaningful solutions to address the issue of veterinary shortages. It is crucial the AVA actively engages in this inquiry and collaborates closely with our members to inform our submission and representations.

 
Inquiry Terms of Reference

The Inquiry into the veterinary workforce shortage in NSW Terms of Reference (TOR) that Portfolio Committee 4 – Regional NSW inquire into and report on the veterinary workforce shortage in New South Wales, and in particular:

  • the shortage of veterinarians across the profession, including clinical (small and large animal practice), government, academia, research, industry, and pathology
  • the challenges in maintaining a sustainable veterinary workforce, including recruitment and retention rates
  • the burn-out and mental health challenges facing the veterinary profession
  • the role of, and challenges affecting, veterinary nurses
  • the role of, and challenges affecting, overseas trained veterinarians
  • the arrangements and impacts of providing after-hour veterinary services
  • the impact of the current legislative and regulatory framework on veterinarians
  • the particular challenges facing the veterinary profession and the shortage of veterinarians in regional, rural and remote New South Wales
  • the role played by veterinarians in providing care to lost, stray and homeless animals, injured wildlife and during emergency situations
  • the impact of the current veterinary shortage on animal welfare, including the impact on the economy, members of the public seeking veterinary care for animals, pounds and shelters, the animal agribusiness industry, companion animal breeders and others
  • current barriers to accessing veterinary care for members of the public, particularly those with lower incomes or who live in regional, rural and remote locations
  • strategies to support the current veterinary workforce, as well as ways to increase the number of practicing veterinarians particularly in regional, rural and remote New South Wales
  • strategies to improve access to veterinary care
  • any other related matter.
 
Feedback

The AVA strongly encourage you to share your insights, experiences, and recommendations with us and the inquiry. We’re seeking your views on the factors contributing to veterinary shortages, the impact on veterinary services across all areas of the profession, and potential strategies to alleviate this issue. Your contributions will form the foundation of the AVA submission and representations to the inquiry.

By actively participating in this consultation process, we can ensure that our collective voice is heard and that the unique challenges faced by the veterinary profession are recognised and addressed at the highest levels.

AVA Members are encouraged to review the TOR and provide feedback to inform the AVA submission to AVA Senior Advocacy Officer at liz.gemes@ava.com.au by 9am Friday 30th June 2023. AVA Members are encouraged to also make their own individual submissions to the inquiry by the 21st July.