Veterinarian
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$84,600
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Diagnoses, treats and prevents animal diseases, ailments and injuries.
Alternative titles
Veterinary Surgeon
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Examines animals to diagnose diseases, ailments and injuries
- Prescribes and administers medications and treatments to animals
- Performs surgeries and other medical procedures on animals
- Provides preventive care such as vaccinations and parasite control
- Advises animal owners on proper care and nutrition for their pets
- Conducts laboratory tests and interprets the results
- Euthanises animals when necessary and supports grieving owners
- Maintains accurate and up-to-date medical records for animals
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Related study options
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
38
NT · May 2026
0
VIC · May 2026
43
WA · May 2026
21
TAS · May 2026
6
NSW · May 2026
50
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+9%
1,192 projected jobs
to 2035
+18%
2,336 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Veterinarian.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Gold Coast
885 estimated employed
- 1
Gold Coast
885 employed
QLD
-19.33%
year on year
- 2
Sydney - Inner West
783 employed
NSW
+11.06%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - South East
650 employed
VIC
-22.8%
year on year
- 4
Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
606 employed
NSW
+3.41%
year on year
- 5
Perth - North East
542 employed
WA
+14.59%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
10,120
Moved in from another occupation
940
Moved to another occupation
405
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 269531
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
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).
Data confidence: estimate.