The Veterinary Sector in Queensland Faces a Major Overhaul
Queensland’s veterinary sector is undergoing a significant transformation as the state government reviews its long-standing legislation, which has remained largely unchanged for nearly a century. This review of the Veterinary Surgeons Act has sparked discussions about how the profession is regulated and what changes are necessary to meet modern demands.
Experts believe that while veterinary technologists and nurses are highly skilled, they are currently underutilized due to a lack of formal recognition within the existing act. Associate Professor Rebekah Scotney from the University of Queensland’s veterinary school highlights the wide range of responsibilities these professionals hold.
“They have responsibilities from general husbandry and care right through to treating animals for injury and illness,” she said. “They also assist in anaesthesia, radiology, so diagnostic imaging, a lot of clinical techniques and various tests that need to be run on animals … a myriad of duties.”
However, according to the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland, veterinary nurses and technologists, regardless of their qualifications, do not have specific exemptions under the Veterinary Surgeons Act. This means they are not regulated by the board and are not permitted to perform any acts of veterinary science, diagnose conditions or administer drugs without a veterinarian’s supervision.
Calls for Broader Recognition
The industry is urging for a broader range of duties for veterinary technologists and nurses, aligning them with their academic qualifications and training. A qualification is typically required to become a veterinary technologist or nurse, often a certificate IV, bachelor’s degree or equivalent certification.
Veterinarians would still maintain exclusive authority over sophisticated procedures, diagnosing illnesses and prescribing medication. Dr Scotney emphasized that despite their training and background, veterinary technologists are limited in what they can do in the field.
“Veterinary technologists are not recognised in that act for the level of work that they are capable of doing,” she said. “If they’re included in that act in a way that we think is meaningful, that’s going to allow them to better support veterinarians, the industry and, of course, pets and their owners.”
Workforce Crisis in the Sector
The Queensland Government is currently reviewing the 90-year-old legislation, which regulates qualifications, registration and disciplinary processes. Western Australia is the only Australian state to mandate registering the qualifications of veterinary nurses and technologists.
Navin Prakash, a veterinary technologist with 11 years of experience who now teaches future graduates, highlighted the intensifying pressures in the sector since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Burnout has been a big thing, so emotional and physical burnout in the industry, whether it’s veterinarians or support staff, so we’re losing a lot of people,” he said. “That’s why these degrees are really important, to help get more people through the door … and into the industry.”
He believes that recognition would help reduce the workload of veterinarians and provide more time to help seriously ill and injured animals. “Having these high-level skilled technicians in specific areas, in trauma centres, in emergencies and specialist hospitals, it will help elevate that level of patient care.”
Dr Patricia Clarke, an education coordinator at the Manly Road Veterinary Hospital and member of the Regulation of Veterinary Nurses and Technologists Working Party in Australia, described the workforce as being in “crisis.” She pointed to critical workforce shortages and high degrees of burnout, including suicide in the veterinary field due to these staff shortages.
“We need to really tap into the resources that we have in these graduates to be able to function at a higher level and allow the veterinarian to delegate and therefore have a much more harmonious team.”
International Trends and Recognition
International momentum is growing, with the UK regulating veterinary nurses in 2015 and Japan licensing all of their veterinary nurses and veterinary technologists in 2019. In December 2024, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recognized veterinary technologists as a professional occupation, reflecting the complexity of modern veterinary care.
The Department of Primary Industries noted that the profession has “evolved dramatically since 1936,” when the act was last substantially changed, with advances in diagnostic technologies, medicines and para-professional roles.
A DPI spokesperson stated that the review “is in the early stages and is currently hearing from a range of targeted stakeholders.” Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett emphasized the importance of ensuring the regulation is appropriate for modern practice.
“Vets have a vital role in protecting our state’s biosecurity and are paramount in detecting, containing and responding to threats; they deserve legislation that’s fit for purpose,” he said.
Dr Scotney stressed the importance of modernizing the act for the future of the industry. “When we think about pet ownership and the way that animals are valued in the family unit these days, it only makes sense that we support and grow the industry through legislation.”
