Getting started
A career worth choosing
Veterinary medicine is one of the most varied, purposeful and respected careers in Australia. Vets treat the animals people love, protect the livestock that underpin a $32.2 billion agricultural industry, safeguard national biosecurity and contribute to human public health through One Health and zoonotic disease surveillance. It is a profession that matters, and Australia needs more people in it.
There are nearly 30,000 veterinary professionals working across Australia today, in roles ranging from inner-city companion animal hospitals to remote mixed practices, wildlife conservation programs, government biosecurity and cutting-edge research. Whatever draws you to working with animals, there is a pathway in this profession for you.
This guide covers everything you need to know to get started: where to study, what the degree involves, how to get in, what to expect along the way and what happens when you graduate.
Where to study
Australia has eight accredited veterinary schools, spread across the country from Queensland to Western Australia. All programs are accredited by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), which means graduates from any of them can register and practise across Australia and New Zealand. AVBC accreditation is also recognised in the UK and a number of other countries, giving graduates international career flexibility from day one.
Each school has its own character. Some are based in major cities, others in regional centres that offer direct access to large animal and rural practice from early in the degree. It is worth exploring the curriculum and culture of each, not just the entry requirements, to find the one that fits you best.
University
Location
Duration
Award
Wagga Wagga, NSW
6 years
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVetBiol/BVetSc)
Lismore, NSW
5 years
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours) (BVetMed Hons)
Adelaide, SA
6 years (3-year DVM pathway available)
Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience) and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (BSc VetBiosc and DVM)
Melbourne, VIC
6 years (4-year DVM pathway available)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Sydney, NSW
6 years (4-year DVM pathway available)
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetBiol/DVM)
What the degree involves
Veterinary science is a broad and fascinating degree. The early years build the scientific foundations: anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and microbiology. As you progress, the work becomes increasingly clinical and hands-on, moving through companion animals, horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and wildlife.
The clinical years are where most students find their calling. Working in the university teaching hospital, rotating through private practices, spending time in rural placements — this is where the degree stops feeling like study and starts feeling like work you want to do for the rest of your life.
Clinical placement: real work from early in the degree
Practical placement is a core part of every accredited veterinary program in Australia. Students complete supervised clinical experience across a range of settings, including the university’s own teaching hospital, private practices and rural and regional placements.
For many students, the rural placement experience is one of the highlights of the degree. Working alongside experienced vets in a regional practice, treating species and conditions you would rarely see in the city, building relationships with farming communities — it is a formative part of becoming a vet.
Graduating and getting registered
Once you complete your degree, the next step is registering with the veterinary board in the state or territory where you plan to work. Registration is your legal licence to practise and is administered at the state level across Australia. Each board has its own process, but all recognise AVBC-accredited degrees.
The process is straightforward for domestic graduates from accredited programs. Contact the board in your state once you have confirmation of graduation and they will guide you through the requirements.
Other ways to build a career working with animals
Veterinary science is one pathway into a career with animals. It is not the only one. The veterinary team is broader than the vet alone, and there are skilled, meaningful careers built around animal health and welfare at every level.
If you are exploring your options, or if the timing is not right for the veterinary degree just yet, these pathways are worth knowing about.
Veterinary nursing and technology
Veterinary nurses and technicians are essential members of the clinical team. They perform procedures, monitor anaesthesia, support patient recovery and are often the first point of contact for clients. It is skilled, hands-on work with a clear qualification pathway and real career development opportunities. The Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) is the place to start: vnca.asn.au
Practice management and administration
Behind every well-run veterinary practice is strong operational leadership. Practice managers, client care coordinators and administrative professionals make it possible for vets and nurses to focus on their patients. If you have business or management interests alongside a passion for animal welfare, this is a rewarding direction. The AVA’s Veterinary Business Group supports members in this space.
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