Vet nurses in Australia earn roughly $25 to $35 per hour on average, but this varies significantly with experience, location, and awards, with entry-level rates starting around $22/hour under the award and experienced nurses or locums potentially earning $35+/hour, plus penalties for nights/weekends.
A vet nurse's salary in Australia varies significantly with experience and location, generally starting around $40,000-$50,000 for entry-level roles, averaging $60,000-$75,000, and potentially reaching $80,000+ for senior or specialized positions in major cities like Sydney or Perth, with location and specific skills (surgery, emergency) greatly impacting pay.
No, vet nurses generally don't get paid "well" compared to other skilled professions, often earning modest salaries (around $40k-$70k AUD starting, rising with experience) due to being in a passion-driven field, but pay increases significantly with seniority, specialization (like emergency/surgery), and location, though many leave for better-paying roles like dental nursing to manage living costs.
One important thing to consider when becoming a vet nurse is that it can be a demanding and stressful job. You will need to be comfortable with long working hours, including evenings and weekends. It can also be emotionally demanding, as you may be working with injured or sick animals.
Veterinary Nursing occupation is now on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). STSOL consists of the list of the occupations which are high in demand in Australia.
Becoming a vet nurse typically takes 1.5 to 2 years to complete a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, depending on study mode (full-time, part-time, blended, or online) and prerequisites, with full-time study often taking around 2 years, while some accelerated or blended options can be faster. You'll need foundational animal care knowledge, usually a Certificate II in Animal Care, before starting, which adds a few months if done separately.
How old are most vet students? The average age for a veterinary surgeon is 40 for females and 51 for males. Becoming a vet has no age limit, and many choose to qualify later in life after a career change. The only requirements are a passion for animals and their welfare, commitment, and an RCVS-approved degree.
'AI will not replace humans' From conference sessions to industry professionals, it's no longer a question of whether to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into veterinary practice, but how.
There are real, tangible ways to make more money as a vet nurse, without having to leave the industry or lose yourself in the process.
Leadership roles in nursing (e.g., head technician or technician manager) or in administration (e.g., practice manager or hospital administrator) are an excellent way to progress in your career and foster important changes, like developing resources to support care team associates at your workplace.
Make a difference
As a veterinary nurse, you will be able to help many people and have a positive impact on the health and welfare of their animals. Veterinary nurses provide care for animals, help to prevent illness through giving advice and are a key member of the veterinary team.
The cost of a veterinary nursing course in Australia can vary, typically ranging from AUD 5,000 to AUD 10,000 depending on the qualification and education provider. Veterinary nursing courses may be priced differently based on whether they are certificate level, diploma level, or part of a higher education program.
The highest-paying veterinary jobs are typically specialized roles like surgery, oncology, cardiology, and ophthalmology, often earning over $200k+ with advanced training, alongside high-demand Relief Veterinarians (locums) earning high hourly rates for filling shifts, and lucrative roles in corporate/industry (pharma, R&D) or government (USDA). Practice ownership/management and high-level research/regulatory medicine also offer significant earning potential.
So, exactly how long does it take to become a veterinarian? Most veterinary schools require four years to complete the coursework and clinical training required to earn a DVM. Students who enroll in Ross Vet's year-round DVM degree program, however, can complete their degree in as few as 3.25 years.
Up to 55,000 additional veterinarians will be needed to meet the needs of companion animal healthcare in the U.S. by 2030. Even with the new veterinary graduates expected over the next 10 years, a shortage of up to 24,000 companion-animal veterinarians will likely still exist by 2030.
Veterinary nursing is one of the most rewarding careers, but it requires study and hard work to become a skilled veterinary nurse.
Colgan's comments were in response to a report from Jobs and Skills Australia on the food supply chain workforce, which said there was a shortage of vets and vet nurses in every state. The shortage is particularly acute in regional areas and in large animal practice.
Three common titles utilized are a veterinary technician (vet tech), veterinary technologist, and veterinary nurse.
This could involve advanced veterinary nursing courses, as well as courses in hydrotherapy, nutrition, grooming, specialised certifications, or even a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Nursing. Higher qualifications will generally open doors to higher-paying positions.
General veterinary industry statistics & demographics
In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education blog, Dr. Justine Lee, DACVECC, DABT reviews the importance of the BIG 4 (e.g., PCV/TS/BG/BUN) in every day veterinary medicine. The BIG 4, often called Quick Assessment Tests (QATS) or Minimum Database (MBD), allows for rapid assessment of the veterinary patient.