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 communities were at risk.
“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.
“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.
More information can be found at www.ava.com.au/siteassets/advocacy/protecting-australias-health.pdf