000 and Lifeline 13 11 14 are for immediate or life-threatening emergencies, and they’re open to everyone, member or not.

AVA’s counselling service, delivered through Converge International, is reached through 1300 687 327, whatever the reason for your call:

• Talk to someone urgently, right now: crisis counselling, available 24/7 
• Book ahead: a non-urgent appointment for ongoing or planned support

The difference isn’t how fast you can be seen, both are often available same day. It’s simply what you need in that moment. If it feels urgent, say so when you call, and you’ll be connected accordingly.

If your practice has faced a traumatic event, an accident, a threat, or the sudden loss of a team member, call 1300 687 327 and Converge will arrange for a counsellor to attend onsite, at a discounted rate for AVA members.

Their approach follows three stages, prepare, respond and recover, drawing on psychological first aid alongside evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy and trauma-informed practice. 

This is available to individual members and group package practices alike.

You and your immediate household family can access the service. It doesn’t extend to staff or colleagues within your practice or organisation. If you want your whole team covered, explore signing up for a group package so your whole team is covered. 

If your practice does experience a critical incident, onsite support can still be arranged at a discounted member rate, even without a group package.

Everyone attached to your organisation under a group package can access AVA’s wellbeing service, along with their immediate families, so your whole team is supported. In the event of a critical incident, onsite support can also be arranged for your whole team, at a discounted member rate. 

In June 2026, AVA introduced a new membership model, shaped by what members told us they wanted, more affordable and flexible ways to belong. Wellbeing support is included in every membership type, but as part of the new model, we’ve clarified exactly who it covers under each membership offering so it stays available and sustainable for everyone.

Group package membership covers your whole team and their immediate families for wellbeing support. It’s also an easy, affordable way to give your team access to everything else AVA membership offers, education and toolkits, the webinar library, CPD tracking, community and discounted events.

If you’re an individual member, you get the same level of wellbeing support no matter which tier you’re on, Connected, Flexi or All Access.

You’ll be matched with a clinician suited to what you’re bringing to your session. More than 70% of Converge’s clinicians in Australia have over ten years of experience in their field, across psychology, counselling, social work, dietetics, occupational therapy and coaching. If the clinician you’re matched with isn’t the right fit, you can ask to be matched with someone else.

Three counselling sessions per person per year across the services listed above

Yes. Converge can deliver support in a range of languages beyond English. 

Yes. Everything you share with Converge, in a counselling session or in the app, is confidential. Your employer and the AVA have no access to what you discuss or who’s using the service, and your information is stored in Australia under strict cyber security standards, including ISO 27001 certification.

THRIVE is AVA’s industry-led wellbeing initiative, supporting veterinary professionals to lead satisfying, prosperous and healthy careers. It runs on a Prevent, Promote, Protect framework, and includes programs like Cultivating Safe Teams, the Graduate Mentoring Program, Mental Health First Aid training and webinars, open to the whole profession.

Given the pressures the profession faces, AVA also invests directly in one-to-one support, not just training and advocacy. AVA’s confidential wellbeing service, delivered through Converge International, sits within THRIVE’s Protect pillar, the practical support available when someone needs it. It’s a member benefit, distinct from THRIVE’s public programs and training.