Veterinary Nurse
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$132,400
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Cares for animals under treatment or in temporary residence at veterinary facilities, and assists Veterinarians to perform procedures and operations.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Provides care and support to animals under treatment or in temporary residence at veterinary facilities
- Assists Veterinarians in performing procedures and operations on animals
- Prepares animals for surgery, including administering anaesthesia and monitoring vital signs
- Administers medications and treatments to animals as directed by Veterinarians
- Assists with diagnostic procedures such as taking X-rays or collecting samples for laboratory testing
- Provides post-operative care to animals, including monitoring their recovery and administering medications
- Ensures hygiene processes are maintained, including cleaning and sterilising equipment and facilities
- Provides basic grooming and hygiene care to animals, such as bathing and grooming
- Educates pet owners on proper animal care, and provides advice on nutrition, exercise and preventive health care
- Assists with euthanasia procedures and provides emotional support to pet owners
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 3
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Official VET pathways
Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Occupation ready
Certificate IV in Animal Facility Management
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Animal Care
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Animal Care Services
Progression pathway
Diploma of Veterinary Nursing
Specialised training
Diploma of Animal Technology
Specialised training
Diploma of Equine Allied Health
Specialised training
Related study options
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
43
ACT · May 2026
4
VIC · May 2026
32
NT · May 2026
2
SA · May 2026
10
NSW · May 2026
32
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+6%
1,039 projected jobs
to 2035
+12%
2,052 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Veterinary Nurse.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Hume
1,080 estimated employed
- 1
Hume
1,080 employed
VIC
+21.48%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - West
1,063 employed
VIC
+20.93%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - Outer East
1,046 employed
VIC
+18.59%
year on year
- 4
Gold Coast
831 employed
QLD
-23.13%
year on year
- 5
Ipswich
716 employed
QLD
-3.76%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
13,690
Moved in from another occupation
2,020
Moved to another occupation
1,065
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
4
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
2
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 341231
- Last updated
- 2026-01-23
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2025 Shortage List + ABS EEH May 2025
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: verified.