AVA 2025 Tasmanian Election Priorities

The AVA encourages Tasmanian Members to talk to local MPs and candidates about the issues facing the veterinary profession in the upcoming state election.

Read the complete AVA 2025 Tasmanian Election Priorities document here.

Veterinarians are an integral part of the fabric of our community. They manage the health and welfare of our livestock that are crucial to our international trade and to the safety and security of our food, and they work in our public health sector on managing disease risks to animals and people alike. They care for the companion animals that are increasingly part of our families.

In the lead-up to the Tasmanian election in July, the AVA has been engaging with key parliamentarians on issues affecting the veterinary profession. Ahead of this Tasmanian election, the AVA is calling on the next State Government to support the following key areas:

 

1.    Veterinary workforce shortages and attracting veterinarians to Tasmania

That the Tasmanian Government:

·         Commit funding for analysis of the veterinary workforce needs of Tasmania, especially regional and rural areas.

·         Provide veterinarians and veterinary personnel with the same opportunities and support offered to other professions being encouraged to relocate to Tasmania and rural areas.

·         Support the development of a National Veterinary Workforce Strategy.

 

2.    Support for veterinary students and recent graduates

That the Tasmanian Government:

·         Provide targeted funding to support veterinary students undertaking clinical placements in Tasmania. Specifically, the Government should introduce allowances to cover accommodation and travel costs for students, addressing the financial barriers associated with “placement poverty.”

·         Implement an incentive scheme that provides a financial payment to recent graduates who begin their veterinary careers in Tasmania. The incentive could 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 Tasmania.

·         Advocate to the Australian Government to trial incentives, including waiving HECS debt, to attract and retain veterinary professionals to Tasmania, and particularly in rural and in regional areas.

 

3.    Supporting the public good provided by veterinarians

That the Tasmanian Government:

·         As part of its biosecurity funding, commit to increased and targeted investment in veterinary services. This should include enhanced support for surveillance and response activities, as well as the delivery of veterinary services that provide significant public good.

·         Assumes responsibility for and financially supports the costs incurred by veterinary practices when treating or caring for Crown-owned wildlife and also unowned or lost animals.

·         Establish a disaster response and recovery funding program (similar to NSW) to support the provision of veterinary care to animals impacted in natural disasters

·         Supports private veterinary businesses to assist with the cost of delivery of veterinary services to animals in the care of people experiencing vulnerabilities.

 

4.    Mental health support for veterinary professionals

That the Tasmanian Government commit to funding to support THRIVE, the AVA’s wellness initiative, which supports Tasmanian 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, include:

•       Expand the 24/7 AVA Counselling Service

•       Cultivating Safe Teams program –Psychological health and safety awareness training sessions for all individuals working in the veterinary profession in Tasmania.

•       Mental health first aid for veterinary teams

Government investment in these priorities is crucial to secure the sustainability, resilience, and growth of Tasmania’s veterinary sector.

Following the election, the AVA will engage with key parliamentarians on these priorities, which will form the foundation of our post-election advocacy with the new government.

 

How To Get Involved

The AVA is encouraging Tasmanian Members to talk to local MPs and candidates about the issues facing the veterinary profession.

How you can lend your voice to the call for change:

• Download and read the AVA 2025 Tasmanian Election Priorities document.

• Find out who your local candidates are:
• Bass
• Braddon
• Clark
• Franklin
• Lyons
• Write, email, or call your local candidates.
• For instance, you can share how a particular issue has affected your practice or community or how a proposed solution could make a difference. The more personalised you can make your correspondence and conversations, the better. Pick the issues in the AVA election priorities that resonate most with you and your area.
• Your personal experiences are invaluable. Use stories from your own practice to bring the issues in the AVA election priorities to life. Your experiences are powerful tools that can make a real difference.
• Keep an eye out when you are out – often, candidates will be out meeting with the public. This is an excellent opportunity to have your say directly with them.
• After the election, contact your local elected representative to continue the conversation. This is a key time to reinforce the importance of veterinary issues and ensure they remain on the government's agenda.