The Challenges of Being a Veterinarian in Australia
Ben Schuster’s journey to becoming a veterinarian began in Brisbane, where he grew up surrounded by a variety of pets – dogs, rats, guinea pigs, and birds. From the age of 10, he knew he wanted to pursue this career. His dedication led him to five years of full-time study at James Cook University, where he focused entirely on his studies without working a job during that time.
During his clinical placement, Schuster lived in a pub in rural Queensland for a month, paying $20 a night for his room. This was a significant financial challenge at the time, but it didn’t deter him from his goal. Today, he misses the relationships he built with clients and their pets, as well as the satisfaction of improving an animal’s quality of life. However, after four and a half years as a practicing vet, Schuster found himself completely burnt out and facing a mental crisis.
“I left the veterinary industry because of the emotional strain,” he says. “You’re not just a medical professional; you’re also a counsellor. You’re guiding people through difficult decisions, helping them grieve, and supporting them in accepting when it’s time to say goodbye.”
Schuster’s experience is not unique. The Australian veterinary industry is grappling with a growing mental health crisis and a severe workforce shortage. According to research from the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), over 66% of survey respondents reported experiencing a mental health condition.
Carly Wilson, a psychosocial risk consultant who works with the AVA, highlights that while the industry has long faced mental health challenges, the situation has worsened since the pandemic. Pet ownership increased from 69% in 2022 to 73% in 2025, putting additional pressure on vets.
Wilson notes that the profession is high-pressure, with long hours, unpaid work, and on-call demands. “The way the veterinary profession is treated by the general public is really poor,” she says. “There can be a lot of emotional manipulation, like someone saying, ‘If you loved animals as much as you say you do, you would treat my dog for free.’”
For Schuster, euthanising two or three pets a week took a heavy toll. He often found himself mentally preoccupied with these appointments. End-of-life care is a significant part of the job and can be emotionally challenging, according to Andrew Arena, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Black Dog Institute.
“Exposure to potentially traumatic events is a major factor affecting mental health among workers,” Arena explains. Vets are particularly vulnerable to secondary trauma, also known as vicarious trauma, which occurs when they witness the suffering of others.
Research from 2011 revealed that Australian veterinarians are four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population and twice as likely as other healthcare professionals. In response to this crisis, Sophie’s Legacy, a charity launched in 2023, advocates for better mental health support for vets. The charity was inspired by the tragic death of 33-year-old Sophie Putland, who died by suicide in 2021 while working as a vet.
Beyond mental health, financial challenges also contribute to the vet shortage. “Everyone thinks vets are loaded, but most start with high debt and earn around $65,000 a year,” Wilson says. Schuster, who earned about $63,000 as a new graduate, found that his income was less than what his wife made in retail without a tertiary education. Still, he never pursued the job for financial reasons.
Sam Haynes, owner of Sydney Animal Hospitals, faces a tough hiring market. Despite having positions open, including one advertised in 2024, he doesn’t expect many applicants. “The number of people entering the profession isn’t meeting the country’s needs,” he says. The AVA estimates that only 60% of demand is currently being met.
In 2021, enrollment in Australian vet science programs dropped to 1,890 students, down from 2,440 in 2010. Haynes believes universities could improve their intake processes to select the best candidates rather than just those with the highest grades. He also points to parental leave as a factor, noting that women make up about 67% of the industry. “Family commitments reduce the number of people available for the required hours,” he says.
Schuster, who now works for a video game developer and has a three-month-old baby, says he couldn’t have balanced being a vet with family life. “Being at home allows me to spend time with my wife and baby.”
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