AVA’s NSW pre-budget submission

The AVA has lodged a pre-budget submission for the 2024-25 NSW Government budget. The submission makes recommendations around areas of priority for the AVA. The submission details the AVA priorities that should be considered by the NSW Government to support veterinary professionals and the veterinary sector. For detailed information please read the full AVA submission. 

The following three key topics and six key recommendations were included:

1. Veterinary professionals – at greater risk of poor mental health

Recommendation 1.1 Funding for the AVA wellness initiative (THRIVE)

The New South Wales Government commit to funding ($3.3 million over 4 years) to the AVA’s wellness initiative, THRIVE to support veterinarians and veterinary staff to lead satisfying, prosperous and healthy careers.  This includes the expansion of a range of existing programs being undertaken by the AVA for the veterinary profession and implementing new programs under the areas of prevent, promote and protect. These bespoke programs provide psychological health and safety awareness training, mental health first aid, suicide prevention and counselling for veterinarians.

2. Build and retain veterinary workforce

Recommendation 2.1 Student placement support

The New South Wales Government subsidies for accommodation and travel costs associated with students undertaking clinical placements in rural and regional areas.

Recommendation 2.2 Veterinary infrastructure funding

The New South Wales Government support for veterinary infrastructure development that includes accommodation will assist in meeting this challenge. The AVA proposes that the Government establish a veterinary infrastructure subsidy available to rural and regional veterinary services businesses to help them include accommodation facilities within the veterinary hospital.

Recommendation 2.3 Recent Graduate Rural and Regional incentive funding

The New South Wales Government implement an incentive scheme that provides a financial payment to recent graduates who begin their veterinary careers in rural and regional areas. The incentive would be in two parts, firstly an initial payment that is aimed at supporting the relocation costs incurred by the recent graduate. A second payment would be available once a Recent Graduate had completed at least five years veterinary practice in a rural or regional area.

3. Sustainability of veterinary services – recouping the costs of delivery of public good delivered by the private veterinary sector

Recommendation 3.1 - Biosecurity funding

In its funding of the biosecurity system the New South Wales Government commit to including increased specific investment in veterinary services (particularly rural and regional) and supporting delivery of those veterinary services that deliver public good (e.g. getting veterinarians onto farms regularly to enhance biosecurity and animal welfare, similar to the Animal Welfare Pathway in the UK).

Recommendation 3.2 - Veterinary services for wildlife

The New South Wales Government commit funding for a pilot program to private veterinary businesses to assist with the variable cost of delivery of veterinary services to Australia’s wildlife.