Working in the Veterinary sector in Australia or New Zealand

Open Recruitment offers specialist recruitment services in the veterinary sector. We have superb opportunities across the entire sector throughout Australia and New Zealand. We currently have a number of positions for:

Some of our vacancies are listed online, however please contact us for further details on these and other opportunities.

Open Recruitment also handles similar positions in the UK and Ireland through our well established UK branch. For information on working in the UK and current vacancies please visit: www.openvets.com

Working as a Vet or Vet Nurse in Australia

The Veterinary profession in Australia is well respected and rewarding. Due to Skills shortages, there are numerous opportunities open to both Australian and externally qualified applicants.

To work as a Veterinary Surgeon, specialist or Qualified Nurse in Australia you firstly need validate your qualification with the Australian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC). The AVBC is an advisory board for all of the Veterinary Surgeons boards in Australia. It’s main functions are to enforce standards of practice and criteria for recognition of qualifications, assess foreign qualifications and accredit Veterinary schools and courses. If you are an Australian or New Zealand qualified Vet or Vet Nurse this is not required, providing that you received your qualification from an approved educational institution.

Overseas qualified applicants will need to apply to the AVBC to have their qualifications assessed and may then need to sit a skills assessment examination. Vets and Vet Nurses who received their qualification in the United Kingdom, South Africa or North America and those who are registered with the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in England) or have completed a ECFVG (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates) will not need to sit the Skills Assessment Examination. An Occupational English Exam will also be required for nationals of non-English speaking countries.

You will then need to register with the Veterinary Registration Board in the State/s or Territory/s in which you live and work. It is illegal to practice Veterinary Medicine in Australia without these registrations.

Please visit www.avbc.asn.au and the relevant State registration authority (see LINKS page) for further details on registration, examination process and fees.

Please note that non permanent residents/citizens are only entitled to work in Australia if they possess a visa or permit issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. There are many visa and permit types with differing eligibility criteria and time frames. As optometry is on the Skilled Occupations List, overseas optometrists may be able to get a Skilled Migration Visa, providing they fulfil eligibility criteria. Please visit www.immi.gov.au for full information on the various visa/permit types available and how to apply. Alternatively, phone our office and we will assist you where we can.

Working as a Vet or Vet Nurse in New Zealand

Veterinary Medicine in New Zealand is very similar to that in Australia.

To work as a Veterinary Surgeon, specialist or Qualified Nurse in New Zealand you firstly need validate your qualification with the Australian Veterinary Boards Council, as above. If you are an Australian or New Zealand qualified Vet or Vet Nurse this is not required, providing that you received your qualification from an approved educational institution.

Overseas qualified applicants will need to apply to the AVBC to have their qualifications assessed and may then need to sit a skills assessment examination. Vets and Vet Nurses who received their qualification in the United Kingdom, South Africa or North America and those who are registered with the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in England) or have completed a ECFVG (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates) will not need to sit the Skills Assessment Examination. An Occupational English Exam will also be required for nationals of non-English speaking countries.

Please visit www.avbc.asn.au and the relevant State registration authority (see LINKS page) for further details on registration, examination process and fees.

You will then need to register with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. Please visit www.vetcouncil.org.nz for full details on registration process and fees.

New Zealand also has immigration laws governing entitlement to work and foreign nationals (excluding Australians) will need to obtain the relevant visa/permit. Please visit www.immigration.govt.nz  for full information on visa/permit types, eligibility criteria and how to apply.

Professional Associations and Industry Support

There are a number of professional associations that offer Veterinary related advice, support, links and tools. As a professional working in Veterinary Medicine you can join these associations to make use of the services they offer.

For the Australian Veterinary Association please visit www.ava.com.au

For the New Zealand Veterinary Association please visit www.vets.org.nz