From the desk of the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer: The Rise of Female Veterinarians in Leadership Positions

The Rise of Female Veterinarians in Leadership Positions

As we celebrate International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March, the focus this month is on women and the veterinary profession. The Australian veterinary workforce has seen a significant shift in recent decades, with women now comprising the majority of the profession. This change reflects expanding opportunities for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. As more women enter veterinary science, they are shaping the industry in dynamic ways, from clinical practice to leadership roles. I am proud to be the first woman to hold the position of Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, and to be part of how we shape our profession into the future.

Australia’s First Veterinarian: A Historic Milestone

As we reflect on the rise of women in veterinary science, it’s worth remembering Australia’s first female veterinarian, Dr. Elizabeth Macarthur, who made history in the 1800s. Elizabeth, who lived and worked in New South Wales, was instrumental in establishing the country’s early veterinary practices. While it was an era where formal education for women was limited, Elizabeth's pioneering efforts laid the foundation for the growth of veterinary science in Australia. Today, women are not only following in her footsteps but are also transforming the landscape of the veterinary workforce.

The Growth of Women in Veterinary Science

When I began my career, veterinary science was predominantly male dominated. However, today, women make up around 70% of registered veterinarians in Australia, a dramatic increase from just a few decades ago. In fact, a recent Jobs and Skills Australia report states that the proportion of female veterinarians has increased from 46% in 2006 to 67% in 2021, “ranking only third out of 478 occupation unit groups for the greatest extent of feminisation between 2006 and 2021”. Through this same period, veterinary nursing remained the 7th most feminised occupation, with fewer than one in every 20 veterinary nurses being male.

This shift has been driven by greater access to higher education, changing societal expectations, and the increasing appeal of veterinary science as a career that combines medicine, science, and a deep connection with animals.

University veterinary programs consistently report a majority of female students, reinforcing this trend. It is encouraging to see young women pursuing their passion for animal health and making meaningful contributions across various sectors of the industry.

Challenges and Opportunities

While this growing representation of women in veterinary science is a positive development, challenges remain. Gender pay gaps, career progression barriers, and work-life balance difficulties continue to be issues within the field. The nature of veterinary work—long hours, emotional strain, and high workloads—can be particularly demanding, leading to concerns about mental health and burnout.

However, women are actively driving change. I have seen an increasing number of women stepping into leadership roles, advocating for workplace reforms, and introducing initiatives to improve working conditions. Flexible work arrangements, mentorship programs, and a growing awareness of mental health challenges are becoming more prevalent, as veterinarians strive for a more supportive and sustainable profession.

Breaking Barriers in Leadership

As Australia’s first female Chief Veterinary Officer, I understand the significance of representation in leadership. When I started my career, there were far fewer women in senior veterinary positions. Over time, we have seen a shift, and now women are taking on key leadership roles across the sector, although there is more to do.

Leadership in veterinary science requires resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to advancing both animal and public health. Women leaders, with their collaborative, innovative, and empathetic qualities, are significantly shaping the profession's future. While progress has been made, there is still a need for equal representation at all levels, and fostering pathways for women to enter leadership positions is crucial for maintaining an inclusive and forward-thinking field.

This also remains a global challenge, with only around a quarter of Chief Veterinary Officers reported to be women despite similar trends being seen with the number of women entering the veterinary profession. More work is needed to understand and address the barriers for women to take on senior management positions within organisational hierarchies.

International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerating Action

As we approach International Women’s Day 2025, with the theme “Accelerate Action,” we should take a moment to reflect on the progress that has been made and the work still to be done. Whether we are practicing veterinarians, educators, policymakers, or stakeholders in the broader veterinary community, this theme challenges us to take decisive steps toward gender equality, and I firmly believe that veterinary science must play an active role in this pursuit.

Accelerating action means making leadership pathways clearer, more accessible, and more inclusive. It means creating programs that support women’s professional development, offering mentorship opportunities, and ensuring that women’s contributions are recognised and rewarded.

The Future of Women in the Veterinary Workforce

The increasing presence of women in veterinary science is reshaping the industry. Women are bringing fresh perspectives to clinical practice, research, public policy, and animal welfare. Their contributions are strengthening veterinary services and enhancing our profession’s ability to address emerging challenges, from biosecurity threats to the impact of climate change on animal health.

As we continue to accelerate action in support of women in leadership, we are ensuring that the veterinary profession is prepared to meet the growing demands of global challenges. From pandemic preparedness to animal welfare, female veterinarians are at the forefront of finding innovative solutions and shaping policies that will have a lasting impact on our profession and our communities.

Mentorship and Leadership Development

One of the most effective ways to accelerate action is by fostering mentorship and leadership development programs specifically for women in veterinary science. These programs are critical in providing emerging female veterinarians with the guidance and support they need to navigate the often-complex world of leadership. Leadership training programs, networking opportunities, and access to role models in leadership positions can be transformative, providing women with the tools, resources, and networks they need to succeed.

Policy and Structural Reforms

Another critical aspect of accelerating action is advocating for policy and structural reforms within veterinary institutions and organisations. This includes promoting gender-neutral hiring practices, providing equal opportunities for career advancement, and ensuring that women’s contributions are recognised and valued. Additionally, we must work to create a more inclusive and flexible work environment, where work-life balance is not just a theoretical concept but a practical reality for all veterinarians.

The Role of Men in Driving Change

While women’s empowerment is central to this conversation, it is equally important to recognise that men have an essential role to play in accelerating action toward gender equity. Male leaders in the veterinary community must actively support and mentor women, champion policies that promote gender equality, and challenge the unconscious biases that persist in our profession. Gender equity is not just a women’s issue—it is a profession-wide issue that requires the active involvement of everyone, regardless of gender.

Conclusion: Building a Stronger, More Resilient Profession

As we continue to evolve as a profession, it is crucial to support women in veterinary science through mentorship, leadership development, and workplace policies that enable long-term career sustainability. The rise of women in the Australian veterinary workforce is not just a passing trend—it is a transformation that is here to stay, shaping the future of the profession for generations to come.

Reflecting on the legacy of Dr. Elizabeth Macarthur and the strides made by countless women in veterinary science since then, I am confident that the future of our profession is brighter than ever. Together, we can accelerate action to ensure that the next generation of female veterinarians not only enters the workforce in greater numbers but rises to the highest levels of leadership, innovation, and influence.

For the latest updates on the work of the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer, please follow the social media channels of the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.