Veterinary Students Left Behind In New Prac Payment Scheme

Federal Government continues to overlook essential veterinary workforce

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has strongly criticised the Federal Government’s decision to exclude veterinary students from the new Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme, which launched this week to support students in teaching, nursing, and social work.

Veterinary students, who are required to undertake up to 52 weeks of placements, much in rural and regional areas, face some of the highest out-of-pocket costs of any student cohort. Costs include accommodation, equipment, fuel, vehicle maintenance, and unpaid leave from part-time work.

One veterinary student reported spending over $6,000 on placements in their final year alone, costs they had to cover without any government support.

AVA President, Dr Gemma Chuck, said the decision to exclude veterinary students sends a troubling signal about the value placed on veterinarians in rural and regional communities.

“Many placements are in areas with workforce shortages and high demand for veterinary services. Veterinary students deserve the same level of support as other essential health and career professionals undertaking placement in these rural areas," Dr Chuck said.

The new Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme provides $331.65 per week to eligible students during mandatory placements in education, nursing, midwifery, and social work, but excludes veterinary science, despite the critical role of veterinarians in supporting rural economies, agricultural productivity, and animal health.

“Veterinarians are vital to all of Australia” Dr Chuck said. “Urban residents may not think that rural vet shortages affect them, but rural vets working in agriculture are a critical part of the supply chain for our food security, public health, disease surveillance, biocontainment, biosecurity and economy. Veterinary workforce shortages are a national issue, affecting urban and rural communities alike.”

“We’re in the middle of a veterinary workforce crisis, particularly in rural and regional Australia. The Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme is a practical, targeted program that could have helped, but once again, our profession has been left out,” Dr Chuck said. “For rural veterinary clinics and the communities they support to thrive, we must support the next generation of vets entering the profession.”

The AVA urges The Hon Jason Clare MP Minister for Education, to reconsider this oversight and extend the Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme to include veterinary science students and recognise the essential role they play in the future of regional and rural Australia.

ENDS