Australian Veterinarian Salary Survey
Australia - Below |
Australia
January 2026 Update
Compensation transparency benefits everyone in the veterinary profession. Practice owners gain the market intelligence needed to build competitive packages that attract and retain quality teams. Veterinary professionals gain clarity on their earning potential and career trajectory. Our salary survey bridges this information gap, providing twice-yearly benchmark data across entry-level, mid-career, and senior positions. Whether you’re planning your practice’s compensation strategy or seeking to understand your position in the market, you’ll have the data you need to make informed decisions…
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Explore our latest January 2026 Veterinarian Salary Survey for Australia…
[ Scroll to the end of the page to learn about our Methodology ]
Australia – January 2026
🏥 For Employers: Entry-level salaries have surged to A$111,000, exceeding expectations and putting upward pressure on hiring budgets, while mid and senior-range packages continue steady growth, requiring competitive positioning to secure experienced talent.
🩺 For Job Seekers: The market shows particularly strong growth for new graduates, with entry-level salaries up 11% year-on-year, while experienced professionals continue to see solid growth across mid and senior levels.
Six-Month Trend Analysis (July 2025 to January 2026):
- Low Range Median: Strong increase from A$105,000 to A$111,000, showing a 5.7% rise.
- Mid Range Median: Steady growth from A$147,000 to A$151,000, representing a 2.7% increase.
- High Range Median: Solid recovery from A$177,000 to A$185,000, indicating a 4.5% rise.
Annual Comparison (January 2025 to January 2026):
- Low Range Median: Exceptional growth from A$100,000 to A$111,000, an 11.0% increase.
- Mid Range Median: Solid increase from A$143,000 to A$151,000, showing 5.6% growth.
- High Range Median: Modest rise from A$183,000 to A$185,000, representing a 1.1% increase.
Market Insights:
The Australian veterinary market enters 2026 with entry-level compensation driving the strongest growth across all salary ranges. The A$111,000 low-range median represents an 11% annual increase and pushes past the July 2025 forecast, signaling continued competitive pressure among practices to attract new and recent graduates. Mid-range positions show consistent, steady growth at 5.6% annually, while the high range has recovered from the July 2025 dip to land at A$185,000, exactly at the top of the predicted range. The narrowing spread between entry and senior salaries, now at A$74,000 compared to A$83,000 a year ago, reflects a market prioritizing graduate attraction over senior retention, a dynamic that creates particular challenges for practices looking to build and retain experienced leadership teams. The July 2025 predictions proved highly accurate, with all three ranges landing within or above their forecasted ranges, demonstrating the relative stability and predictability of salary movements in the Australian market.
Expectations for the Next 12 Months:
- Entry-level salaries will likely see more moderate growth as the market stabilizes, potentially reaching A$113,000 to A$115,000.
- Mid-range compensation will maintain steady growth, potentially reaching A$155,000 to A$158,000.
- High-range salaries are positioned to resume stronger growth following their recent recovery, potentially reaching A$190,000 to A$194,000.
Entry-level compensation growth in the Australian veterinary market has been exceptional over the past three years, rising 35% from A$82,250 in January 2023 to A$111,000 now. While this sustained upward pressure reflects the competitive intensity of recent years as practices competed for graduates in a tight labour market, there are signs this rapid growth phase may be stabilizing as the market adjusts to the new baseline. The more modest growth at senior levels, while creating opportunities for experienced professionals to negotiate competitive packages, also highlights an imbalance in market dynamics. For practice owners and leadership teams, this shift toward more moderate entry-level growth provides an opportunity to refocus investment on retention strategies that go beyond base salary, particularly for mid-career and senior veterinarians who bring the clinical expertise and leadership that drive practice performance. While expanding veterinary educational capacity across Australia may begin to ease graduate recruitment pressures over the next 2 to 3 years, near-term competition for both new and experienced talent suggests that strategic workforce planning and competitive total compensation packages will remain essential for practices looking to build stable, high-performing teams.
Australia – July 2025
Six-Month Trend Analysis (January 2025 to July 2025):
- Low Range Median: Solid increase from $100,000 to $105,000, showing a 5.0% rise
- Mid Range Median: Steady growth from $143,000 to $147,000, representing a 2.8% increase
- High Range Median: Modest variation from $183,000 to $177,000
Annual Comparison (July 2024 to July 2025):
- Low Range Median: Strong growth from $96,000 to $105,000, a 9.4% increase
- Mid Range Median: Moderate increase from $142,000 to $147,000, showing 3.5% growth
- High Range Median: Relatively stable from $181,000 to $177,000
Market Insights:
With entry-level salaries advancing to $105,000 by July, Australian veterinary compensation for talented graduates has built steadily on the $100,000 milestone achieved in January. This 5% six-month increase, combined with a strong 9.4% annual growth rate, demonstrates continued market momentum in competing for newly qualified professionals. Mid-range positions show consistent, measured growth, while high-range compensation remains relatively stable, reflecting a market that continues to value experienced professionals while maintaining focused investment in entry-level positions.
Expectations for the Next 12 Months:
- Entry-level salaries will likely continue their growth trajectory, potentially reaching $108,000-$110,000
- Mid-range compensation will maintain steady progress, possibly reaching $150,000-$152,000
- High-range salaries may stabilize or see modest recovery, potentially settling around $180,000-$185,000
Australian veterinary compensation demonstrates continued strength in mid-2025. The steady growth across entry-level and mid-range positions reflects ongoing market demand for qualified professionals, while compensation levels show signs of maturation at senior levels. This balanced approach supports both new graduates entering the workforce and experienced professionals progressing in their careers. While expanding veterinary educational capacity and increasing graduate numbers signal potential supply-side improvements over the next 2-3 years, current market fundamentals support continued growth in compensation. This creates competitive negotiation advantages for veterinary professionals while requiring employers to balance competitive compensation with long-term sustainability as supply-demand dynamics gradually improve.
Australia – January 2025
Six-Month Trend Analysis (July 2024 to January 2025):
- Low Range Median: Increased from $96,000 to $100,000, showing a 4.2% rise
- Mid Range Median: Slight increase from $142,000 to $143,000, representing a 0.7% growth
- High Range Median: Modest increase from $181,000 to $183,000, indicating a 1.1% rise
Annual Comparison (January 2024 to January 2025):
- Low Range Median: Strong growth from $90,000 to $100,000, an 11.1% increase
- Mid Range Median: Solid increase from $136,000 to $143,000, showing 5.1% growth
- High Range Median: Significant rise from $163,000 to $183,000, representing a 12.3% increase
Market Insights: The Australian veterinary job market continues to demonstrate robust growth, particularly at entry-level and senior positions. The breakthrough $100,000 mark for low-range salaries signals a significant milestone in the industry’s commitment to attracting new talent. The substantial 12.3% annual increase in high-range salaries indicates strong competition for experienced veterinarians.
Expectations for the Next 12 Months:
- Entry-level salaries will continue to strengthen, likely reaching $102,000-$105,000
- Mid-range compensation will see steady growth, potentially approaching $148,000
- High-range salaries will maintain their upward trajectory, possibly exceeding $185,000
The Australian veterinary sector enters 2025 with clear evidence of a strong but maturing job market. While salary growth rates have moderated from their previous highs, particularly in senior roles, this appears to reflect a market reaching a more sustainable equilibrium rather than any sector weakness. The consistent growth across all salary ranges, particularly the notable increases in both entry-level and senior positions, continues to create attractive opportunities for veterinary professionals at all career stages. Employers should view this moderation positively, as it suggests a market that can support long-term, sustainable compensation strategies while remaining competitive enough to attract and retain top talent.
Australia – January 2024
Trend Analysis – January 2023 to July 2024:
- Low Range Median: Increased from $82,250 (Jan ’23) to $96,000 (Jul ’24), a substantial 16.7% rise over 18 months.
- Mid Range Median: Grew from $134,742 (Jan ’23) to $142,000 (Jul ’24), a solid 5.4% increase.
- High Range Median: Increased from $168,117 (Jan ’23) to $181,000 (Jul ’24), a 7.7% growth.
Potential Expectations for the Next 12 Months:
- The low range will continue its strong upward trajectory, likely stabilizing around the $100,000 mark.
- Mid-range salaries will maintain steady growth, potentially reaching $145,000-$150,000.
- High-range compensation will likely see continued growth, potentially exceeding $185,000.
Conclusion:
The Australian veterinary job market demand demonstrates robust and consistent growth across all salary ranges. The significant increase in low-range salaries (16.7% over 18 months) indicates a strong focus on attracting new graduate talent. The steady growth in mid and high ranges suggests a healthy demand for experienced professionals. The most recent data shows an acceleration in growth across all ranges, indicating a continuing highly competitive market. This trend is expected to continue, making the Australian veterinary sector attractive for new graduates and experienced veterinarians from international as well as local sources. Employers will need to maintain competitive salaries and benefits packages to attract and retain top talent in this ongoing dynamic salary market.
Australia – January 2024
Trend Analysis – January 2022 to January 2024:
- Low-end salary has seen a gradual increase from $69,000 in January 2022 to $87,000 by January 2024. This indicates a positive trend in the starting salaries for veterinarians, reflecting possibly a growing demand for veterinary professionals in Australia and New Zealand.
- Average Salary has also shown significant growth, from $99,000 in January 2022 to $136,000 by January 2024. This substantial increase suggests that the veterinary profession is becoming increasingly valued, with average compensation reflecting the importance of veterinary services.
- High-end salary shows a steady increase from $133,000 in January 2022 to $173,000 in January 2024, demonstrating that the market for experienced and specialized veterinarians remains strong, with top-tier salaries increasing to attract and retain the best talent.
Potential Expectations for the Next 12 Months:
- Given the steady growth in salaries across all tiers, we can expect this upward trend to continue into the next year. The increase in low and average salaries indicates a healthy market with a strong demand for veterinary professionals. The consistent rise in high-end salaries suggests that there is an ongoing need for specialized skills within the industry.
- The veterinary profession in Australia and New Zealand seems to be experiencing a period of growth and appreciation, which could be driven by an increased focus on pet care and animal health, as well as a recognition of the critical role veterinarians play in public health and safety.
- Employers may need to continue to adjust salary offerings to remain competitive and attract the necessary talent, especially given the global trends toward recognizing the value of veterinary professionals.
Conclusion:
The veterinarian salary trend in the Australia & New Zealand region from January 2020 to January 2024 showcases a positive and upward trajectory in compensation across all levels of experience. This trend reflects the growing recognition of the value of veterinary professionals and suggests a healthy, competitive market that is likely to continue to evolve. Veterinary practices and organizations should consider these trends in their recruitment and retention strategies to ensure they attract and maintain the skilled professionals necessary to meet the demand for veterinary services.
Australia – July 2023
Australia – January 2023
Australia – July 2022
Australia – January 2022
Australia – July 2021
Australia – January 2021
Australia – July 2020
Australia – January 2020
Methodology
About Our Australian Veterinarian Salary Survey
We compile this survey twice yearly, in January and July, to give you a snapshot of the veterinary job market. Our data comes from a mix of public sources and our own research, offering a broad view of salary trends for both employers and job seekers.
Keep in mind that these figures are averages and don’t account for individual factors like specific qualifications, years of experience, areas of expertise, or location. Think of it as a starting point for understanding the market rather than a definitive guide for any particular role.
Understanding the Salary Ranges
Our data focuses on General Practice, Small Animal Veterinarians in their early career stage (1-3 years of experience). For a more comprehensive picture, consider these adjustments for different roles and experience levels:
- More Experienced Vets (3+ years): Add 25%+ to the figures
- Surgery-Focused Roles: Increase by 35% or more
- Specialty Fields: For roles in Emergency, Referral, Surgical, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Ophthalmology, and other specialties, expect salaries to be 50% higher or more
About Veterinary Jobs Marketplace…
We connect veterinary talent with the best veterinary jobs. Explore our Job Campaigns for GP Veterinarians, Emergency Vets, Veterinary Nurses, Technicians, and more, enriched with video insights. Find new team members using our unique Reach, Frequency, and Story strategy, now including One-to-One Outreach.
For Job Seekers: Discover your ideal veterinary jobs in cities across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Register for custom Job Alerts, bringing the latest opportunities directly to your Inbox.
For Employers: Register to reach skilled veterinary professionals for your practice. From GP Veterinarians to Emergency Vets, our Job Campaigns help you find the perfect team members.
Worldwide Audience: Expand your reach internationally to the USA, Canada, UK and Europe. Our global reach will connect you to our global veterinary community.
Note: Glassdoor, Indeed, Payscale, Talent.com, and ERI – Economic Research Institute are business entities that publish publicly available information about salary data. We present these publicly available materials in fair use in a single location together with our own data as research to advance the understanding of the range of salary levels for Veterinarians in the United States. These business entities have not endorsed this Veterinarian Salary Survey nor any implication that may or may not be derived from the materials.
