Veterinarian

Diagnose, prevent and treat injury and disease affecting animals.

Job opportunities

Jobs in SEEK right now

Job growth

5-year projection

Salary

Typical salary

Job satisfaction

Job opportunities

Jobs in SEEK right now

Salary

Typical salary

Job growth

5-year projection

Job satisfaction

What's it like to be a Veterinarian?

Veterinarians (Vets) are trained medical professionals who diagnose, prevent and treat disease and injury affecting animals. Vets usually specialise in a specific area of work such as small animals, horses or livestock, and advise members of the public on best practices in diet, hygiene, care and breeding to promote better health in their pets and livestock.

Tasks and duties

Advising clients on health, nutrition and feeding, hygiene, breeding and care of animals.
Treating animals medically and surgically, and administering and prescribing drugs, analgesics, and general and local anaesthetics.
Determining the presence and nature of abnormal conditions through physical examination, laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging techniques including radiography and ultrasound.
Performing surgery, dressing wounds and setting broken bones.
Performing obstetric and gynaecological procedures on animals.
Participating in government programs designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of animal diseases.
Testing animals for disease and inoculating against infectious diseases and notifying authorities of outbreaks of infectious animal diseases.
Euthanising animals in a humane fashion when necessary.

Vets in metropolitan areas work mostly with pets such as cats and dogs, while Vets in rural areas often work closely with farmers to treat livestock and prevent the spread of disease and improve health and productivity. Vets generally work in small practices or may be employed by government departments to monitor and control animal disease, perform research or provide consultation on the regulation of hygiene standards, quarantine procedures and agricultural and food production processes.

How to become a Veterinarian

To become a registered Veterinarian in Australia, you will need to complete 5-7 years of study. Upon graduation you will need to register with the Veterinary Board in the state you want to practise in.

Complete a bachelor degree that has been accredited by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) such as a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) or a double degree in veterinary medicine.
Alternatively, if you have already completed an undergraduate degree, complete an AVBC-approved Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Register with the Veterinary Board in the state you want to practise in.