The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has stepped up calls for vets to have their HECS debt wiped when they move to regional communities that urgently need their services.
AVA CEO Dr David Andrews expressed disappointment that the Australian Government failed to address the regional vet shortage in Tuesday's 2023-24 Federal Budget and said many more agricultural communities were at risk of losing their veterinary services as a result.
"Despite the important role of vets in animal agricultural industries, workforce shortages could see access to veterinary services in regional and rural areas collapse," Dr Andrews said.
"Government's bank on the $70 billion contribution of the agricultural sector to the Australian economy but it's an industry which has been left exposed by chronic under investment in the veterinary workforce.
"In 2023 alone, veterinary practices have closed in Parkes and Wee Waa in New South Wales, Jamestown, South Australia and could be closing in Longford, Tasmania – leaving major farming towns without access to veterinary services," Dr Andrews said.
The AVA said it hopes to work with Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to find ways to support vets and the vital work they do.
"Livestock farming has significant value to the Australian economy. In 2022, the gross value of livestock was approximately $25 billion – therefore a situation where there are fewer and fewer vets available to service the industry presents a fundamental economic and animal welfare risk.
"Given that it would cost just $4.8 million per year to provide dozens of willing veterinarians to communities that so desperately need them, we are disappointed that the Government has overlooked this small but important investment.
"The Albanese Government has shown a commitment to remote communities by relieving their doctors, nurses and teachers of their HECS debt, and vets urgently need to be added to that list to prevent crucial services from being lost," Dr Andrews said.
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is the national professional association representing all veterinarians in Australia.
