Working in Australia

[Trilby]

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I was wondering this:

How easy is it for Americans who graduate from Australian veterinary schools to find a job and stay in Australia? Would you have a moratorium and have to work in a rural area like foreign doctors?

Do US students studying in Australia have any experience concerning this?

 

[sunshinevet]

Hi there,

There is no moratorium like there is for med students. However, at the moment the job market is quite poor - we have gone from 4 vet schools to 7 vet schools in the space of 5 years, so the market is extremely flooded with new grads. Given the limited number of spaces for international students at vet schools in Australia (not all vet schools take them) it can be quite competetive, and many applicants with good grades and experiences get turned down.

Another thought to consider is the salary - starting salary in Australia can be as low as $35,000, and usually no higher than $50,000. Private practice vets tend to top out at around $90,000 - and thats a SUPER good paying job. Being an international student, you will still have to pay off your loans - which WILL be somewhere in the order of >$200,000 for TUITION ALONE. This is why most international students go home and specialise, so they can have a chance at paying that beast off!!!

I'm curious as to why you're asking given all your posts have been about dental schools?

 

[Trilby]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm asking for a friend who doesn't think her gpa is high enough for a US school and is pretty discouraged. I'm looking up plan B's in case she doesn't get in again.

By the way, can Australian grads compete with graduates of US schools in the American job market?

 

[sunshinevet]

Makes more sense 🙂

What are her stats like? Has she contacted any Aus schools? In my experience, most candidates were just slightly uncompetative for US schools but had excellent, excellent experiences. So if her numbers are a bit down but her vet experience is good, she has a better shot than if she has good numbers and no experience 🙂

I've got to say - how many times has she applied? I have to say, if there is any chance she can make herself competative for US schools, thats probably best. I know there is a large debt load after US schools, but the one for international students in Australia is collosal. Its also quite a different country to the US, and I do know several students in my class have had difficulties adjusting (even 3 years in). Unless she has massive savings, her parents can pay and shes been to Australia before, it certainly isn't a decision for the faint hearted, or made lightly.

As for being competative for jobs back in the US, from what I've heard from international students its not a problem. Many many many international students from my school atleast go on to do internships and residencies in the US, and don't seem to struggle to find jobs when they go back. We're AVMA accredited so they just sit the NAVLE in the final year and away they go!

Feel free to ask more questions - or get your friend on here!!! Many of the Australian schools have a large international cohort (Almost 1/3 of my class is american or canadian!!!) so even those students who aren't international (im australian) tend to know some of the ins an outs 🙂

 

[Trilby]

She absolutely refuses to get on SDN because she's worried (and rightfully so) that the site is life consuming and she'll be addicted. She's got the hundreds of hours of animal experience that every prevet has and her GPA is less than 3.5; she won't give me specifics.

She's in the middle of her second cycle. I think I'm going to do a little research about Australian schools and tell her about it if she doesn't get in next year. I grew up with her and knowing her parents, I'm sure the costs are not a problem for her.

Would any Americans who graduated from Australian schools like to share their experience?

 

[orielton]

Hi, I'm not a vet but I'm a horse owner in Tasmania and we are DESPERATE for good equine vets in this state. Our best vet is in his 70's (he came from the US years ago) and has health problems, the only other vet most would consider for their horse is TOTALLY run off his feet and when he's on holiday then it's pot luck. Please - any equine vets out there - consider Tasmania!! Its a great place to live and there are PLENTY of horses to keep you busy!!

 

[Saffine]

Finding a job: Graduates unable to get full time employment have doubled in the last 5 years (see GradStats website). Although claims like orielton are made regularly there is rarely enough horse owners in close proximity willing to pay fees that will support a full time veterinarian.
Average salaries in Australia are $67k and have been declining for the last 30 years compared to the average Australian wage compared with the USA average of $121k.
The problems are mainly due to an increase in the number of graduates, Australia has 30% more vets per capita than the USA and UK and is increasing graduate numbers by 50% between 2008 and 2013 (due to vet schools going from 4 to 7).

Good luck...

 

[theunraveler]

As a new grad, I'm paid ~$50k AUD per year

 

[Saffine]

'theunraveler' - you are one of the lucky ones that has found a job and is above the average of $45k which has been decreasing compared to other professions by 15% since 1999.

See here: http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/Research/ResearchReports/GradStats/index.htm

 

[theunraveler]

'theunraveler' - you are one of the lucky ones that has found a job and is above the average of $45k which has been decreasing compared to other professions by 50% since 1999.

See here: http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/Research/ResearchReports/GradStats/index.htm

No. I am not the only one, there are a few of my classmates being paid $60k AUD. $40-50k PA is the norm. I dont really trust this site, it doesnt seem reflective of what I am hearing from others perhaps the data is skewed

 

[Saffine]

I guess these statistics are wrong as well then:

-34% of vets in rural WA need a non-veterinary supplementary income (Australian Veterinary Journal, Dr Maxwell et al 2008).

-"Critical examination of the relevant data must lead to the conclusion that more will become disappointed and disillusioned, underemployed or exploited, or at least unable to pursue the career of their dreams. Having survived a demanding course with the highest entry levels, and graduated with a high level of debt, they are likely to find that the only positions available are at the lowest salary levels." (Australian Veterinary Journal, 2007, Professor Trevor Heath)

-Average salary was $52,200 in 2000 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/8564.0/

A chat to some of the vet deans might get some more info.