Browse Vet jobs

Animal lovers are usually the first people to consider a career as a veterinarian. If you love animals, this can be a rewarding career but it's also worth remembering that it can be physically and emotionally demanding, unpleasant and sometimes dangerous.

Vets examine, diagnose and treat sick and injured animals. Most vets concentrate on a specific field such as small animals, horses or livestock. They generally work in private practices where most of the work involves pets including dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Some practices provide specialist services to farm animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs.

Veterinary graduates are often employed in government departments where they are involved in monitoring, controlling and eradicating animal disease; researching animal disease, genetic material, animal products and meat quality; hygiene inspection to ensure the health of animals and the safety of food; livestock quarantine; and regulating agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

Vets can also contribute to programs on animal production, disease control, environment management and public health. The work may be indoors or outdoors and usually involves long and irregular hours. Vets in private practices are often called to upon to treat sick animals at any hour of the day or night.

Responsibilities & Skills

The major responsibilities of a vet are to examine sick and injured animals, perform diagnostic tests and to treat animals using drugs, surgery and nursing care. Sometimes this involves humanely killing animals to end pain and suffering or to prevent the spread of disease. Vets also give advice to owners and breeders on animal health and care.

Sometimes vets attend horse and greyhound tracks, sporting events and dog and cat shows to monitor animals. Vets may be responsible for supervising quarantine for incoming livestock, genetic material and animal products and overseeing the health of export livestock.

- A passion for the health and welfare of animals
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication skills

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science
• Graduate Diploma of Veterinary Studies

Useful Links

• Australian Veterinary Association
• Association of Avian Veterinarians