23 January 2025

Animal Medicines Australia supports Report’s calls to incentivise veterinary work in regional Australia

Animal Medicines Australia (AMA), the peak industry body representing the animal medicines sector, welcomes the release of The Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) report, An Essential Ingredient – The Food Supply Chain Workforce. The comprehensive 266-page report provides 41 recommendations addressing the workforce needs of Australia’s food production, manufacturing, transport, and distribution industries, while highlighting critical opportunities to improve outcomes for students, workers, and employers. Importantly, it also underscores the vital role of Australia’s veterinary and biosecurity workforces. 

AMA strongly supports the report’s recommendations to encourage and incentivise veterinary work in regional and rural Australia. These proposals form part of a broader strategy to strengthen the veterinary workforce and ensure the delivery of high-quality animal health services in these areas. 

“The food supply chain is a major employer across regional, rural, and remote Australia, encompassing a highly diverse range of industries, locations, and workforce requirements. The report is a strong endorsement and recognition of the role of veterinarians in Australia’s food supply chain.  Protecting and improving the health of animals, people, and our communities is central to the veterinary profession and the animal health industry more broadly. It is more important than ever for governments to recognise and support this critical role,” said Ben Stapley, Executive Director of Animal Medicines Australia. 

Of the 41 recommendations, five directly address the veterinary workforce, including alignment with AMA’s Election Priority to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment. This initiative would provide financial support to veterinary medicine students undertaking practical work placements in rural and regional areas, helping to address workforce shortages and promote long-term sustainability. AMA’s Election Priorities also recommends investing $5.76 million per year for a Rural Bonding Scheme to forgive HECS-HELP debt to encourage early career veterinarians to practice in rural and regional areas. 

The Report calls for the development of a National Biosecurity Workforce Strategy to enhance understanding of critical roles, skills, and pathways within this essential sector. AMA has welcomed this recommendation, recognising the pivotal role the animal health industry plays in safeguarding Australia’s biosecurity. 

“AMA supports the report’s recommendation to develop a National Biosecurity Workforce Strategy to build, retain, and deploy capability in this area. The animal health industry has a significant role in protecting Australia’s biosecurity,” Mr Stapley said. 

“Veterinary medicines, including vaccines, are critical in responding to biosecurity outbreaks. These tools help manage risks and limit the spread of disease, ensuring Australia’s agricultural industries remain robust and resilient.” 

AMA’s Election Priorities also advocate for funding to develop and implement a coordinated approach to biosecurity and pandemic preparedness. This approach would bring together governments, academia, and industry stakeholders, as well as expand Australia’s comprehensive human health AMR surveillance program (AURA) to include animal health. These initiatives are essential to securing Australia’s food supply chain and strengthening Australia’s veterinary and biosecurity workforce. 

250123 - Media Release - AMA supports calls to incentivise veterinary work in regional Australia

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Dr. Katie Asplin - Director Animal Health Policy and Engagement +61 2 6257 9022
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