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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Australia is a large country often known for its wildlife, but there are many domestic animals there as well. The more animals a country has, the more veterinarians are needed to help maintain the health and well-being of those animals.
Have you ever wondered how many veterinarians there are in Australia? How many veterinarians are employed by the government? Maybe you’ve wondered how many animals veterinarians save a year in Australia. Here are some of the top statistics about vets in Australia.
The 10 Australian Veterinarian Statistics
- Australia is home to over 13,000 veterinarians.
- Approximately 70% of Australia’s veterinarians are in private practice.
- The average age of an Australian veterinarian is 39.
- Between 2020–2021, RSPCA veterinarians were responsible for saving over 9,000 wildlife.
- RSPCA veterinarians cared for 103,057 animals in 2020-2021.
- New graduate veterinarians in Australia make approximately 60,000 AUD.
- For veterinarians who have been practicing for 20 years or more, the average salary is 89,000 AUD.
- Female veterinarians in Australia make 5% less on average than male veterinarians, regardless of experience.
- Around 78% of veterinarians in Australia receive an annual monetary bonus based on job performance, specialty, or income.
- Government-employed veterinarians make 5% more than other veterinarians in Australia on average.
Veterinarian Overview in Australia
1. Australia is home to over 13,000 veterinarians.
(AVBC)
According to the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council, there are over 13,000 veterinary professionals in Australia as of 2020. For a country of 24 million people, only about 0.05% of the overall population is a veterinarian. Due to the low population density and vastness of the country, this could leave multiple gaps in care availability.
2. Approximately 70% of the veterinarians in Australia are in private practice.
(AVBC)
Of the over 13,000 veterinarians in Australia, over 9,100 are private practice practitioners. This means they are privately employed or self-employed, although private practice veterinarians may be trained in many types of specialties.
3. The average age of an Australian veterinarian is 39.
(Job Outlook)
The average age of veterinarians in Australia is just under 40 years old. This shows that some people enter the profession later in life, and it is also an indication of the time it takes for people to complete the education and training to become full-time veterinarians.
How Many Animals Do Veterinarians in Australia Help?
4. Between 2020–2021, RSPCA veterinarians were responsible for saving over 9,000 wildlife.
(RSPCA)
Between 2020–2021, 3,058 (10.7%) of the wildlife the RSPCA received were successfully treated and re-released, while 6,018 (21%) were stabilized and then transferred to the care of more specialized veterinarians. Unfortunately, 62.5% of all wildlife received by the RSPCA had to be euthanized.
5. The RSPCA reports that 103,057 animals passed through their care between 2020–2021, with every animal receiving veterinary care.
(RSPCA)
Of the 103,057 animals the RSPCA provided care for, 22,311 were dogs, 42,572 were cats, 3,029 were livestock, 348 were horses, 28,656 were wildlife, and 6,141 were small animals, including birds, fish, and rodents. Most of these animals were returned to their owners or rehomed, including 73.91% of dogs and 76.18% of cats.
How Much Do Veterinarians in Australia Make?
6. First-year veterinarians make around 60,000 AUD.
(Payscale)
For veterinarians who have been in practice for a year or less, the average salary is 60,000 AUD.
- You may also be interested in: How Much Does It Cost to Attend Veterinary School In Australia? (Facts and Statistics)
7. Veteran veterinarians who have been in practice for at least 20 years make an average of 89,000 AUD.
(Payscale)
Veterinarians in practice for 20 years or more have an average pay of $89,000. For vets practicing between 10–19 years, the average pay is $85,000. The biggest jump in pay is between the average pay of vets in practice 1–4 years of $66,000 and 5–10 years of $81,000.
8. Female veterinarians make, on average, 5% less than male veterinarians.
(Salary Explorer)
Although female veterinarians account for over 75% of the veterinary field, male veterinarians make approximately 5% more than their female counterparts, regardless of education level or specialty. However, this is slightly less than the average gender pay gap in Australia, with men making 6% more than women on average.
9. Approximately 78% of the veterinarians in Australia will receive some form of a monetary bonus every year.
(Salary Explorer)
Of the 78% of vets who will receive a monetary bonus every year, most report receiving a bonus of 6–7% of their total salary. However, around 22% of veterinarians won’t receive a monetary bonus of any kind, regardless of their job performance or specialty.
10. Government-employed veterinarians make approximately 5% more than their private practice counterparts.
(Salary Explorer, Payscale)
Although government-employed veterinarians make approximately 5% more than private practice veterinarians, they are not usually the highest-paid veterinarians. Board-certified veterinary surgeons make 25% more than other veterinarians on average, making surgery one of the highest-paying veterinary specialties in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I become a veterinarian in Australia?
To become a veterinarian in Australia, you must complete a program through an accredited veterinary program. There are currently seven Australian universities that offer accredited veterinary programs. These programs can take anywhere between 3–6 years to complete based on your previous schooling. (Vet Voice)
If I’m already a veterinarian in another country, can I practice veterinary medicine in Australia?
There are multiple ways for people who are already practicing veterinarians in other countries to become veterinary practitioners in Australia. However, be prepared to show proof of your veterinary education, licensure, and any certifications to gain approval. You may also need to take additional testing to practice in Australia. (AVBC)
Does Australia have any professional veterinary associations?
Yes, the Australian Veterinary Association is the only professional association for veterinarians in the country. (AVA)
Can any veterinarian become a veterinary specialist in Australia?
Anyone can become a veterinary specialist, but there are restrictions on using the title of Veterinary Specialist. To use this title, a veterinarian must have completed the requirements to attain the specialty, which usually includes additional training, education, and peer assessment. Veterinary Specialists must also be registered as such with the Australian government to legally use the title. (AVBC)
How many vet clinics are there in Australia?
There are over 4,000 vet clinics in Australia. However, this number does not account for government agencies, educational and research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, zoos, and other specialized and non-private types of organizations. (Maven Marketing)
Conclusion
The field of veterinary medicine is a rapidly growing field in the country of Australia. There is currently a shortage of vets when compared to the number of people in the country and the number of animals needing care. The field is expected to continue growing, and most vet schools have high graduation rates, which provides promise to the overwhelmed veterinarians already practicing in the field.
Featured Image Credit: Zivica Kerkez, Shutterstock
