Veterinary workforce shortage – impact on veterinarians and the communities they serve
Veterinary workforce shortages are difficult for pets, owners and our vets. The PFIAA supports the AVA in advocating and caring for current and future vets.
Here we share an article from the Australian Veterinary Association on the ongoing vet shortage.
Australia is facing a significant shortage of veterinarians, a problem particularly acute in rural and regional areas. This shortage poses serious risks to animal welfare and public health, impacting the wellbeing of veterinarians themselves. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has been vocal about these issues, advocating for systemic changes to address the workforce sustainability crisis.
Veterinarians play a crucial role in the community, much like human healthcare providers or educators. They not only care for individual animals and support their owners but also manage emergency responses and perform essential public health roles. From scientific research to biosecurity, food security, animal welfare, infectious disease control, policy development and maintenance of the human animal bond veterinarians are integral to societal wellbeing.
However, the veterinary profession is under immense pressure. According to the AVA’s 2023 Workforce Survey, filling veterinary job vacancies at a national level takes over 12 months in 36.8% of cases, with the figure rising to 43% in regional areas. This shortage is exacerbated by the gruelling conditions veterinarians often work under, including responding to overnight emergencies, supporting clients through the loss of their pets, and managing high-stress situations.
The AVA welcomed the recent release of a comprehensive NSW Parliament Committee report into the Veterinary Workforce Shortage in NSW. The report includes 17 findings and 34 recommendations aimed at addressing critical workforce sustainability issues. Key recommendations focus on mental health programs, provision of regional veterinary services, veterinary student support, legislative review, and compensation for the unpaid work veterinarians undertake for the community. Dr Sally Colgan, AVA President, emphasised the importance of the report and its findings, stating that the challenges faced by the veterinary profession are multifaceted and require strategic thinking and targeted interventions.
One of the issues highlighted is the mental health and wellbeing of veterinarians. Research conducted by the AVA in 2021 found that over 66.7% of veterinarians had experienced a mental health condition at some stage, compared to 61.8% in the general population. Factors contributing to burnout and mental health issues in the veterinary profession include challenging client interactions, long hours, high workload, staff shortages, poor remuneration, after-hours and on-call work, and poor workplace culture.
In response to these challenges, the AVA has developed initiatives like the THRIVE Cultivating Safe Teams psychological health and safety Pilot Program. Supported by a grant from the US-based Zoetis Foundation, this program aims to empower veterinary teams with the skills to create mentally healthy workplaces. The Pilot Program, launched in May 2023, seeks to positively impact the mental health and wellbeing of the veterinary industry and is being delivered to 50 veterinary workplaces free of charge.
The AVA also advocates for educational fee relief to encourage early career veterinarians to work in rural areas, extending the Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme to include veterinary students, and other subsidies or incentives to attract veterinarians to areas of need. These strategies, if implemented, could significantly alleviate the current workforce crisis and ensure a more balanced distribution of veterinary services across the country.
Moreover, the Federal Government’s recent decision to extend post-study work rights for international students with veterinary qualifications is a positive step. However, the AVA warns that more must be done to ensure there are enough veterinarians to support businesses and communities, particularly in regional Australia. The AVA has proposed wiping the HECS debt of new veterinary graduates who live and work in regional areas, a policy they believe would be highly effective in addressing the workforce shortage.
The challenges facing the veterinary profession are multifaceted, involving financial vulnerability, generational shifts, societal changes, and limited public sector funding. Addressing these issues requires a collaborative response involving the profession, animal-related industries, and government. The AVA remains committed to working with all stakeholders to create a future where both animals and the veterinary sector that cares for them can thrive.
July 2024
Australian Veterinary Association
https://www.ava.com.au/