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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
If you’re an animal lover and caring for sick or injured animals sounds like something you’d love to do, then veterinary medicine may just be your dream job! While most people imagine vets primarily taking care of small animals like cats and dogs, veterinary medicine can also involve taking care of larger animals like livestock and even wildlife. If you love caring for animals but don’t enjoy the thought of being indoors in an office all day, this is another avenue to explore.
Veterinary medicine involves not only working at a clinic with pets or going on call-outs for larger animals but can involve several other interesting aspects, such as wildlife conservation, biology, and scientific research. No matter the path you decide to take, veterinary medicine has something for all animal lovers.
The annual veterinary school tuition fee in Australia is roughly AUS$70,000. If you are looking to study veterinary medicine in Australia, read below to find out what to expect and more interesting facts.
Top 10 Australian Veterinary School Statistics
- The annual veterinary school tuition fee in Australia is roughly AUS$74,000
- Becoming a vet in Australia requires a bachelor’s degree or any science undergraduate degree
- It takes roughly 5–7 years to become a vet in Australia
- You can attend veterinary school online in Australia
- Seven universities in Australia offer veterinary degrees
- Australian veterinary schools have an impressive acceptance rate
- Veterinarians in Australia are in high demand
- Full-time Australian vets work an average of 46 hours per week
- The Australian veterinary industry is growing rapidly
- The average salary for a veterinarian in Australia is roughly AUS$83,500
What to Expect When Attending Veterinary School in Australia
1. The annual veterinary school tuition fee in Australia is roughly AUS$74,000.
(oztrekk.com)
Depending on the specific course you choose, it will cost you roughly AUS$74,000 per annum to study veterinary medicine in Australia. Of course, you’ll also need to take your cost of living into account, which is far higher in large cities in the country and more in some states than others. Staying on-campus is generally more expensive than shared rentals, and renting your own apartment is the most expensive option.
Veterinary schools and universities also differ fairly widely in price, with AUS$60,000 on the lower end, although the national average is roughly AUS$74,000 per year.
2. Becoming a vet in Australia requires a bachelor’s degree or any science undergraduate degree.
(bhg.com.au)
If you’d like to study veterinary medicine, you’ll need either a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science or medicine, or you’ll need to take a medicine or science-related undergraduate course before you begin your doctorate. Once you earn your Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Science you’ll need to register with a veterinarian board in the State you intend to practice in.
3. It takes roughly 5–7 years to become a vet in Australia.
(bhg.com.au)
Depending on the program you enroll in and whether you’re studying full-time or part-time, it will take you anywhere from 5–7 years to become a qualified vet, even more if you’re studying part-time. For the first 3–4 years, you’ll be earning your bachelor’s or undergraduate degree, and then an additional 3–4 years to study as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, depending on the course you choose.
Studying Veterinary Medicine in Australia Is Becoming Far More Accessible
4. You can attend veterinary school online in Australia.
(une.edu.au)
Thankfully, becoming a vet in Australia is becoming far more accessible to most people, and you can now study online(for the most part) to get your degree, as some universities are offering online courses. That said, in some cases, you’ll still need to attend some classes in person for hands-on learning, and some universities don’t offer the option at all.
5. Seven universities in Australia offer veterinary degrees.
(lynbrookvet.com.au)
Qualifying as a vet is certainly hard work, and while you’ll need to put in a lot of time and effort, becoming a vet in Australia has never been more accessible. With many universities offering online training courses, plus seven different Australian universities offering veterinary degrees, you have a lot of choices when it comes to studying veterinary degrees in Australia.
6. Australian veterinary schools have an impressive acceptance rate.
(training.com.au)
Not only are there 7 different universities in Australia offering veterinary degrees, but the acceptance rate for these schools is impressive, too. For example, one of the finest veterinary schools in Australia—the University of Sydney—has a 30% acceptance rate, and James Cook University has a 25% acceptance rate.
Just like medical school, veterinary study is typically rather competitive, and the acceptance rate in the United States has a comparatively low average of 10%–15%. That said, there are 30 different veterinary colleges in the US, and many students apply to more than one school at a time, so the acceptance rate may be slightly higher than the average indicates.
Working as a Vet in Australia
7. Veterinarians in Australia are in high demand.
(abc.net.au)
There is a shortage of veterinarians in Australia, mostly due to the high demands of the job, which many people do not take into consideration before beginning their studies. There are a lot of students applying and being accepted into veterinary studies, with a 90% completion rate at many universities, but many are leaving the profession due to the rigors of the job. This has placed a ton of stress on existing vets, and many workers within the industry are calling on the government for assistance.
If you have the passion and drive for veterinary medicine, however, there is a ton of opportunity in Australia and the country is facing a shortage of vets with two or more years of experience, causing vet practice owners to employ vets from overseas.
8. Full-time Australian vets work an average of 46 hours per week.
(joboutlook.gov.au)
You can expect to work roughly 46 hours per week as a vet in Australia, possibly more if the load on current vets is not decreased. Australians in other sectors work an average of 40 hours per week, and with night and weekend overtime, you can usually expect to work significantly more than the national average.
9. The Australian veterinary industry is growing rapidly.
(joboutlook.gov.au)
While there is a definite need for vets in Australia, the industry is still rapidly growing and grew strongly between 2016 and 2020. There were over 13,500 registered vets in Australia in 2020, with that number expected to rise to almost 16,000 by 2025. Comparatively, there were less than 10,000 registered vets in Australia in 2010.
10. The average salary for a veterinarian in Australia is roughly AUS$83,500.
(glassdoor.com)
In 2023, the average salary for a full-time veterinarian was AUS$83,500. Some people do make closer to AUS$100,000; however, some vets make around the AUS$70,000 range. Many factors contribute to salaries, such as experience and the clinic’s location in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you qualify to become a vet after a certain age?
Yes! If you have the passion and determination needed, there is no reason why you cannot study veterinary medicine later in life. In fact, many veterinary colleges have at least a few students over the age of 30, and many even have students of the age of 40 or 50. (synergyvets.com)
Can you study to be a vet part-time in Australia?
This depends entirely on the university you enroll with. In some universities, part-time courses are available, as well as a full veterinary science degree done part-time or remotely. Of course, this will take you longer than the usual 4 years to complete the degree. It’s best to enquire about enrollment periods with the university you decide to study with. (gooduniversitiesguide.com.au)
How do you know veterinary medicine is right for you?
You may have a passion for caring for animals and animals in general, but how do you know that practicing veterinary medicine is right for you? The best way to gain some insight is to spend time with practicing vets, asking them questions and experiencing their day-to-day job. Apart from that, a natural, sincere concern for the welfare of animals, good people skills, and a ton of compassion are good traits to have. (ava.com.au)
What do you learn in veterinary medicine studies?
Veterinary science and medicine involve the treatment of a range of different animals, and thus you’ll need to study a range of different subjects over your years in your degree. This includes animal behavior, preventative care, biology, nutrition, anatomy, principles of surgery, anesthesia, and animal disease. (murdoch.edu.au)
Conclusion
Studying to become a vet in Australia will cost you roughly AUS$70,000 per year, depending on the school you choose. You’ll also need to take into account board and lodging, transport, and other living expenses while studying, and most veterinary degrees take around 4 years to complete.
There is currently a shortage of vets in Australia, presenting a unique opportunity for would-be vets in the country. It’s a good idea to try and spend some time in a veterinary practice to get a hands-on feel for what happens every day before diving into studies. That said, if you have passion, drive, and a deep love and respect for animals, becoming a vet may be the perfect vocation for you!
Featured Image Credit: Elnur, Shutterstock
