Veterinarian
Diagnose and treat animal illness and injury while helping owners maintain their animals' health and wellbeing.
What They Do
Veterinarians diagnose, treat and prevent diseases, injuries and other health problems affecting animals.
Their work can include physical examinations, diagnostic testing, X-rays and ultrasound, prescribing medicines, vaccinations, wound care and surgery. They also advise animal owners about nutrition, preventative healthcare, breeding and general animal wellbeing. Jobs and Skills Australia
Veterinarians can work with household pets, farm animals, horses, wildlife or other species. Some also work in government, biosecurity, research, pharmaceuticals or public health.
Who This Career Suits
Veterinary medicine suits people who genuinely enjoy working with animals but are also interested in biology, medicine and problem solving.
The profession requires much more than simply loving animals. Veterinarians need strong clinical judgement, communication skills and resilience because they regularly deal with sick or injured animals and owners making difficult decisions.
Key Skills
Clinical Judgement, Problem Solving, Communication, Animal Care, Science, Attention to Detail, Decision Making, Compassion & Empathy
Work Environment
Veterinary Clinic, Animal Care, Indoor, Outdoor, Active
Education & Training
Becoming a veterinarian in Australia requires completing a recognised veterinary qualification and meeting the registration requirements of the veterinary board in the state or territory where you intend to practise.
The Australasian Veterinary Boards Council accredits veterinary programs that prepare graduates for registration. Current Australian pathways include programs at universities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland, Charles Sturt, James Cook, Murdoch and Adelaide. AVBC
Veterinary degrees are demanding professional programs covering animal biology, anatomy, disease, diagnostics, pharmacology, surgery and extensive clinical training.
Career Changer Pathway
Veterinary medicine is possible as a career change, particularly for people with previous study in science, agriculture, animal care or healthcare.
However, becoming a registered veterinarian still requires completing a recognised veterinary qualification.
People with previous university study may be eligible for graduate-entry veterinary programs depending on the institution and their academic background.
Early Career
Graduate Veterinarians build confidence in consultations, examinations, diagnostic testing, preventative healthcare and common medical procedures.
They generally work with more experienced veterinarians while developing their clinical judgement and practical skills.
Mid Career
Experienced Veterinarians handle increasingly complex cases and may develop particular interests in areas such as surgery, emergency medicine, internal medicine, livestock, equine practice or wildlife.
They may also supervise junior veterinarians and veterinary nurses.
Senior / Veteran Career
Experienced Veterinarians can become senior clinicians, practice managers, veterinary practice owners or specialists.
Other pathways include government, biosecurity, pharmaceutical companies, animal-health policy, research, academia and veterinary leadership.
Veterinarians can also undertake additional postgraduate training in specialist fields such as surgery, dermatology, cardiology or critical care.
Salary Guide
Early Career
85000
Mid Career
125000
Senior / Veteran
160000
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Salary data source:
Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS
Salary data source URL:
Date :
4 October 2026 at 12:00:00 am
Career Outlook
JSA currently records approximately 14,500 Veterinarians. The latest annual employment growth figure is relatively modest at about 100 workers, although workforce shortages remain an important feature of the profession. Jobs and Skills Australia
JSA shortage analysis has identified Veterinarians as a shortage occupation nationally, with previous analysis also showing relatively few applicants per advertised vacancy. Jobs and Skills Australia
For MyFutureJob, I'd therefore rate the outlook Strong, despite slower recent employment growth, because employer difficulty filling veterinary roles remains significant.
Job Outlook :
Outlook Source :
Strong
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