Could wiping HECS debts help bring vets to the regions?

By Bianca Hall

May 23, 2023

Vital: Regional vets provide an essential service to their community, but like many industries, veterinary clinics are also facing staffing shortages regionally. Pictured is Seymour Central Veterinary Clinic vet Narelle Cribb with Eskimo Joe. Photo by David Rak

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.

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AVA chief executive David Andrews said he was disappointed that the Australian Government had failed to address the regional vet shortage in last Tuesday’s 2023-24 Federal Budget.

“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.

“Governments 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.”

The AVA said it hoped to work with Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to find ways to support vets and the vital work they do.

Dr Andrews said livestock farming added 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,” Dr Andrews said.

“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.”

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is the national professional association representing all veterinarians in Australia.