Veterinarians & Vet Nurses: Complete Migration Guide to Australia 2026

Understanding the Australian Veterinary Workforce Crisis

The numbers paint a stark picture: Australia currently has enough veterinarians to meet only about 60% of national demand. In regional New South Wales alone, 55% of advertised veterinary positions remain vacant. This persistent shortage, spanning over eight years, has created urgent demand for overseas-trained animal health professionals.

Statistic	Metro Areas	Regional Areas
Positions unfilled 12+ months	28%	44%
Average weekly hours	38-45 hours	50+ hours
Pet ownership driving demand	69% of Australian households own a pet

This shortage extends beyond companion animal care to agricultural services, food safety, and biosecurity-making veterinary professionals vital to Australia's economy.

Two Different Pathways: Veterinarian vs Veterinary Nurse

Occupation	ANZSCO Code	Skills Assessing Authority	Key Difference
Veterinarian	234711	AVBC (Australasian Veterinary Boards Council)	Requires Australian board registration first
Veterinary Nurse	361311	VETASSESS	Qualification + work experience pathway

Pathway 1: Veterinarians (ANZSCO 234711)

For veterinarians, the journey begins with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC)-the sole assessing authority recognised by the Australian Government.

Step 1: Check if Your Qualification is Recognised

The AVBC maintains a list of "Qualifications Generally Recognised" that provide direct registration eligibility. Qualifications from:

UK (accredited by RCVS)
USA (accredited by AVMA)
South Africa (accredited by SAVC)
Selected other institutions

may be automatically recognised. Check the AVBC website for the current list.

Step 2: If Not Recognised-The Australasian Veterinary Examination (AVE)

For veterinarians whose qualifications aren't on the recognised list (common for graduates from South America, parts of Europe, India, and the Philippines), the AVE pathway applies:

AVE Stage	Cost (AUD)	Details
Eligibility Assessment	$455	Checks 4-year degree from listed university
Preliminary Examination (MCQ)	$3,460	Computer-based test, held April/September
Final Examination (Clinical)	$9,050	Multi-day practical exam at University of Queensland
Total (excluding travel)	$12,000+	Timeline: 18-24 months

⚠️ Important Update: As of July 2025, AVE eligibility applications have been paused as 2026 examination places are fully allocated. Monitor the AVBC website for future intake announcements.

💡 Strategic Tip: Many competent clinicians from non-English speaking backgrounds struggle with the IELTS "Writing" component. The OET (Occupational English Test), which uses veterinary context, often yields higher pass rates.

Step 3: English Language Requirements

You must demonstrate English proficiency. AVBC typically requires:

Test	Minimum Score
IELTS	7.0 in all components
OET	B (or 350) in each component
PTE Academic	65 in each component
TOEFL iBT	L:24, R:24, W:27, S:23

Step 4: Obtain Australian Registration

Before applying for a migration skills assessment, you must hold full and unconditional registration with an Australian state or territory Veterinary Board. This is a critical requirement many applicants overlook.

Step 5: Apply for Migration Skills Assessment

Once registered, apply to AVBC for your skills assessment. Note: AVBC migration skills assessment fees are set to increase from 30 January 2026.

Pathway 2: Veterinary Nurses (ANZSCO 361311)

Veterinary nurses have a more accessible pathway through VETASSESS. As a Group D occupation, you'll need qualifications at AQF Certificate III or IV level, plus relevant work experience.

💡 UK Nurses: The RCVS Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (UK) is generally assessed as comparable to AQF Certificate IV-making UK-trained nurses well-positioned for migration.

Four Pathways to Positive Assessment:

Pathway	Qualification Required	Work Experience Required
1	AQF Cert IV+ (highly relevant)	1 year in last 5 years
2	AQF Cert IV+ (not highly relevant)	2 years in last 5 years
3	AQF Cert III (highly relevant)	3 years in last 5 years
4	Pre-qualification employment	4 years (including 1 year highly relevant in last 5 years)

Note: From 1 December 2025, VETASSESS is reducing processing times to 7 weeks and shortening the document submission window from 60 to 28 days.

Important: VETASSESS does not require an English test for the skills assessment itself. However, the Department of Home Affairs requires "Competent English" (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) for the visa application.

State Registration Requirements for Veterinary Nurses

Unlike veterinarians, veterinary nursing registration varies significantly by state:

State	Registration Requirement	Authority
Western Australia	MANDATORY (statutory)	Veterinary Practice Board of WA
All other states/territories	Voluntary (AVNAT)	Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT)

Western Australia is the only Australian jurisdiction requiring statutory registration for vet nurses. Without it, you cannot legally work in a WA clinic. Application costs approximately $132 + $81 annual renewal.

AVNAT Registration (voluntary but increasingly expected) requires 20 CPD points annually and serves as a quality signal to employers across Australia.

Visa Pathways for Veterinary Professionals

With a positive skills assessment, multiple visa options become available:

Points-Tested Skilled Visas

Visa	Type	Veterinarian Eligibility	Vet Nurse Eligibility
189 Skilled Independent	Permanent	✅ Yes (MLTSSL)	❌ No (STSOL/ROL only)
190 Skilled Nominated	Permanent	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (if state nominates)
491 Skilled Work Regional	Provisional (5 years)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (state/territory dependent)

Key Distinction: Veterinarians are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), granting access to all visa pathways. Veterinary Nurses are on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL), limiting their options primarily to state nomination and employer sponsorship.

Visa Application Fees (as of July 2025):

Primary applicant: $4,910 AUD
Additional applicant 18+: $2,455 AUD
Additional applicant under 18: $1,230 AUD

Fees are subject to annual indexation, typically on 1 July each year.

Employer-Sponsored Visas

Given the veterinary shortage, many Australian clinics actively sponsor overseas professionals:

Visa	Veterinarians	Vet Nurses	PR Pathway
482 TSS Medium-term	4 years	N/A	186 TRT after 2 years
482 TSS Short-term	N/A	2 years	186 TRT after 2 years (recent change)
494 Regional Employer Sponsored	5 years	5 years	191 after 3 years
186 Employer Nomination (Direct Entry)	Permanent	Limited	Direct PR

⚠️ 482 Salary Thresholds: Employers must pay sponsored workers a minimum salary:

Standard stream: $76,515 AUD annually

Specialist Skills stream: $135,000 AUD (senior/specialist roles)

TSMIT floor: $73,150 AUD (general threshold)

Vet nurses with salaries near the TSMIT may need premium packages to meet compliance.

Veterinarians are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making them eligible for the medium-term 482 stream with a clear pathway to permanent residency.

State Nomination Specifics:

State	Veterinarian (234711)	Vet Nurse (361311)	Notes
NSW	✅ 190 + 491	✅ 190 + 491	Both on NSW Skills Lists
QLD	✅ 190 + 491	✅ STSOL	Verify current list
VIC	✅ Check current list	Verify	ROI-based system
WA	✅ Graduate stream	✅ Priority	Aggressive recruitment
SA	✅ Statewide	Verify	Lower competition

DAMA Pathways: The Regional Advantage for Vet Nurses

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) offer critical concessions for Veterinary Nurses in regional areas, including relaxed English requirements and age limits:

DAMA Region	Key Concessions	Strategic Value
Northern Territory	English: IELTS 5.0, TSMIT discounts	Broadest list, easiest requirements
East Kimberley (WA)	Age: up to 55, English: IELTS 5.0	Ideal for senior nurses 45-55
Far North QLD (Cairns)	Age: up to 55, English concessions	Tropical lifestyle appeal
Orana (NSW - Dubbo)	TSMIT and English concessions	Strong agricultural focus
South Australia (Statewide)	Age: up to 55	Metro amenities with regional status

💡 Strategic Tip: If a regional clinic needs a Vet Nurse, the DAMA pathway can unlock candidates who would be disqualified from standard 482 visas-such as nurses with "Vocational" English or those over 45 years old.

Salary Benchmarks: What You Can Earn

Veterinary salaries in Australia have experienced strong growth due to the workforce shortage:

Veterinarians

Career Stage	Metropolitan	Regional (Shortage Premium)
Entry-level (0-2 years)	$105,000-$110,000	$110,000-$120,000
Mid-career (3-5 years)	$130,000-$160,000	$140,000-$180,000
Senior/Specialist	$160,000-$220,000+	$180,000-$250,000+

Veterinary Nurses

Career Stage	Salary Range	Notes
Entry-level	$48,000-$55,000	Local workforce
Qualified/Experienced	$65,000-$85,000	Visa-eligible range
Senior/Practice Manager	$85,000-$110,000	Premium positions

💡 Regional Wealth Premium: A veterinarian in Dubbo or Townsville often retains $15,000-$20,000 more purchasing power annually than their Sydney counterpart due to lower housing costs and shortage-driven salary premiums.

Why Consider Regional Australia?

Regional Australia offers compelling advantages for veterinary professionals:

Higher demand, less competition - 44% of regional positions unfilled vs 28% in metro
Salary premiums - 10-25% above metropolitan rates due to shortage
491 pathway to 191 PR - 3 years in a regional area leads to permanent residency
Diverse practice experience - Companion animals, livestock, wildlife, and biosecurity work
Lifestyle benefits - Lower cost of living, community connection, work-life balance

"Regional" in Australia includes major centres like Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide, and Newcastle-not just remote outback towns.

Who Should Consider This Pathway?

This migration route is ideal for:

✅ Veterinarians with degrees from AVBC-recognised institutions
✅ Veterinarians from non-recognised institutions willing to complete the AVE
✅ Veterinary nurses with Certificate III/IV qualifications and work experience
✅ Animal health professionals seeking employer sponsorship
✅ Those open to regional Australia (where demand is highest)

What You Should Do Now

Check your qualification recognition - Visit the AVBC website for the current list of generally recognised qualifications
Prepare English test results - Book your IELTS, PTE, or OET if needed
Gather employment evidence - Reference letters, payslips, and job descriptions for your skills assessment
Research regional opportunities - Explore job boards for regional veterinary positions
Seek professional advice - Migration rules are complex; a registered migration agent can assess your eligibility

Note: State nomination requirements and occupation lists are subject to change. Please confirm current availability before applying.

Timeline: How Long Will This Take?

Pathway	Typical Duration	Notes
AVBC-recognised qualification + 482	4-6 months	Fastest route to employment
AVBC-recognised + 190/491	5-7 months	Points-tested, includes state nomination
AVE pathway (non-recognised qual)	18-30 months	Includes 12-18 months exam preparation
Vet nurse (VETASSESS + 482)	4-6 months	With employer sponsorship

Cost Summary: Total professional costs range from $14,000-$20,000 AUD before visa grant (skills assessment, AVE if required, registration). Relocation adds $6,000-$12,000 AUD for flights and initial accommodation.

How First Migration Can Help

Navigating these changes can be complex, but you don't have to do it alone. At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents are ready to guide you through every step-from skills assessment to visa lodgement.

Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice.