NSW Government responds to veterinary workforce Inquiry

This week, the AVA welcomed the NSW Government’s response to the Inquiry into Veterinary Workforce Shortages in New South Wales report and recommendations. While we would have liked to see more commitment on timeframes and funding for key recommendations, we look forward to working with the NSW Government to implement recommendations aimed at addressing workforce shortages, mental health, and regulatory reforms. 

The AVA distributed a media release and will progress meetings with key stakeholders, including the NSW Government, the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, VSANZ, AVBC, VNCA and other states looking at similar inquiries (e.g. SA).  

Key aspects of the NSW Government response include: 

Workforce shortages in regional areas - the NSW Government committed to considering options for attracting veterinarians to livestock practice. The AVA welcomes this and looks forward to working with the government on the development and implementation of options. The 2023 AVA Workforce Survey revealed that 55% of veterinarian vacancies in regional NSW remain unfilled for 12 months or more. This shortage affects both pet owners and primary producers, causing delays in accessing essential veterinary care. 

Support for large animal and production veterinarians - The NSW Government recognised the need to investigate financial incentives to attract veterinarians to rural areas and large animal practices, though their response to recommendations 16, 16 and 22.  

Mental health support - the AVA welcomes the NSW Government's in-principle support for mental health recommendations and stresses the urgency of funding mental health programs targeted at veterinarians in the 2025-26 NSW State Budget. Four of the Inquiry’s recommendations deal directly with the mental health issues affecting the profession. 

Regulatory reform and the Veterinary Practice Act - Eight of the recommendations from the Inquiry dealt with changes needed to the NSW Veterinary Practice Act 2003. While the NSW Government supports a review of the NSW Veterinary Practice Act 2003 in their response, the AVA is disappointed by the lack of a clear timeline for this to occur. A review is essential to modernise the NSW regulatory framework and improve the sustainability of the veterinary profession and the AVA is advocating for the urgent need to progress a formal review of the Act. Initial discussions on review of the Act took place back in 2021, but little progress has been made since then. The AVA has long called for legislative reform in NSW to streamline complaint handling processes, improve mobile veterinary clinic registration, and support telehealth veterinary services and will continue to advocate for a comprehensive review of the regulatory framework in NSW. 

Public good - the NSW government highlighted some of the support they give to wildlife care and also indicated potential use of the Companion Animals Fund in supporting veterinary care of stray animals. However, the public good that veterinarians provide is much broader than this. This is essential to help with the sustainability of the profession, who in the vast majority function as small to medium sized private businesses. 

The AVA will continue advocating for reforms that ensure the long-term viability and well-being of veterinarians across NSW.  More information on the AVA’s stance on the Inquiry report’s recommendations can be found on our AVA website here: AVA releases full response to Inquiry.