Number and distribution of Australian veterinarians in 1981, 1991 and 2001

Abstract

The relative number of veterinarians in Australia is now higher than in the UK, USA and Canada, and is likely to continue to increase. There is evidence of maldistribution, with many rural practices facing shortages of veterinarians with the experience and inclination to maintain veterinary services over the longer term, and some cities likely to become overcrowded with veterinarians.

Initial work experiences of veterinarians who graduated from Australian universities in 2005

“…Although only 45% of Murdoch graduates remained in Western Australia, they represented 18 veterinarians per million people, more than for any other state except Tasmania. The implications of these differences will be explored in a related project in which the number and distribution of veterinarians in 2005 will be compared with data for 2001, 1991 and 1981 9,10 …”

Suicide in Australian veterinarians

“…Because of low numbers of suicides reported, and the fact that there were none in certain years, it was not possible to calculate an age‐standardised rate. The number of resident veterinarians in Victoria in 1990 was estimated to be 1150, increasing to 1500 in 2002 8 . In 1990, Western Australia was estimated to have 400 resident veterinarians and 770 in 2002.…”

Rural veterinary services in Western Australia: Part B. Rural practice

“…The attrition rate of 13% for rural practitioners between 2005 and 2006 is higher than that previously reported in Australia, which has ranged from 3.5% to 10% 5–7 …”

“…Thirteen per cent of rural practitioners acquired higher qualifications, in contrast to their colleagues within government service, where 70% did so. The reason for this appears to be that higher qualifications are not essential for effective function in rural practice, but are required for a number of government positions 7 …”