#145: Working in Australia: The Essential Roadmap for International Vets. With Dr Natalia Gomez

Thinking of trading grey skies for the Australian sun – stethoscope in hand?
Moving to Australia as a vet can change your life, but here’s the truth: it’s not a straight road. Between visa hurdles, the dreaded AVE exams, and adjusting to a new culture (gotta love the Aussie slang!), the journey demands grit, strategy, and support.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Natalia Gomez , Colombian-born vet and co-founder of Brainy Bilby, a platform dedicated to helping foreign-trained vets prepare for the AVE, about the tips, pitfalls, and success stories learnt from her own her journey, and from the other overseas-trained vets she’s coached through the AVE.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why Australia is one of the most in-demand vet destinations – and how to make it work for you
• The step-by-step roadmap to your veterinary licence (no fluff, just facts)
• AVE decoded: costs, structure, study tips & mistakes to avoid
• What it’s really like working under supervision (and finding supportive employers)
• The practical exam explained: sheep tipping, cow pregnancy tests, and more
• Surviving the financial and emotional rollercoaster – without burning out
• How to adapt to Aussie culture, slang, and workplace quirks
• Life on the other side: what makes it all worth it

🎧 Listen now and start mapping your own Aussie vet journey.

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Episode timestamps:

04:32 Why Australia? The Allure for Vets

10:04 The Australian Veterinary Examination (AVE)

16:31 Navigating the English Test and Paperwork

26:35 The Cost and Commitment of the AVE

29:05 Working Under Supervision

36:58 Preparing for the Practical Exam

44:43 Cultural and Language Barriers

How to Become a Veterinarian in Australia as an Overseas Graduate

Why Australia is an Attractive Destination

• Lifestyle and Culture: Australia offers a great place to live, raise a family, and work as a vet. Many are drawn to its sunnier climate, especially compared to places like the UK. Natalia Gomez, a Colombian-born veterinarian, fell in love with Australia's equitarian culture, where there's a strong strive for equality and less outward display of wealth compared to South America.
• Animal Welfare: Australians' treatment and respect for animals, including wildlife, is a significant draw, particularly the lack of stray dogs, which is a stark contrast to some other countries.
• Work-Life Balance: The Australian veterinary working culture is generally more "chilled" compared to the UK or US, with a strong focus on lifestyle. Vets typically enjoy more free time, including four weeks of paid holiday, compared to, for example, five days in the US. While you might earn less than in the US, the quality of life is high, and you don't need excessive money to enjoy pristine beaches and activities.
• Employment: There's plenty of work available for vets in Australia. While you may not get rich as an employed vet, you will have a comfortable living, with a roof over your head and enough to eat.

The Australian Veterinary Examination (AVE) Process

1. University Recognition and Initial Research:
   • Check University List: Before anything else, you must verify that your university is on the list of world universities recognised by the Australian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC). If your university is not on this list, you will unfortunately not be eligible to sit the AVE and would need to re-study veterinary science.
   • AVBC Website: The AVBC website has a dedicated section for overseas veterinarians with helpful information and PDFs. It is crucial to invest time in reading through all the details.
   • Visa and Immigration:
     • Visa options vary significantly depending on your country of origin (e.g., working holiday visas may not be available for all nationalities).
     • While it's possible to start the AVE process from your home country, it often takes longer. Many find it easier to come to Australia first, perhaps on a student or working holiday visa, to get used to the lifestyle and begin the process from within the country.
     • Gaining permanent residency directly from overseas is possible via a point system (as experienced by the podcast host), where veterinary qualifications and work experience can contribute points. However, points for work experience may only count from when you are registered in Australia.
     • The Australian immigration website contains all necessary details, and it's possible to navigate the process without an expensive immigration lawyer, provided you follow instructions meticulously.
2. The English Test (First Major Hurdle):
   • This is the first crucial hurdle you must overcome. You need to achieve a high score in all sections (listening, speaking, writing).
   • Commonly accepted tests include the Occupational English Test (OET), PTE, and IELTS Academic. The OET is often preferred by health professionals as its writing and speaking sections are tailored to the profession, making it more relatable and potentially less stressful. For the OET, a score of 7 (70%) in each section is often required.
   • Common Pitfall: Many overseas vets, even those who feel fluent, postpone this test, leading to significant stress and frustration when they fail due to lack of preparation for the specific exam format. It is vital to understand what the examiners are looking for, time limits, and specific scenarios (e.g., writing referral letters, role-playing consultations).
   • Recommendation: Prepare thoroughly for the exam itself, regardless of your perceived fluency, by studying practice materials and understanding the test structure.
3. AVE Application and Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) Exam:
   • Paperwork: Once you have passed your English test, gather all necessary paperwork from your home country (e.g., university degrees, registration details). This paperwork often needs to be translated by an official translator.
   • Application: Apply to the AVBC to sit the exam. There is an application fee, historically around AUD 500-600. Acceptance is not guaranteed for everyone.
   • MCQ Exam:
     • This is the first part of the AVE, typically held once a year in April.
     • Cost: The fee for the MCQ exam can be substantial, historically ranging from AUD 3,400 to almost AUD 6,000.
     • Content: The exam has two papers: one on basic clinical science (e.g., anatomy, physiology, pathology) and another on clinical cases across various animals (cows, pigs, small ruminants, horses, exotics, dogs, cats). Crucially, it includes Australian-specific facts, vocabulary, epidemiology, and protocols (e.g., diseases prevalent in Australia, specific terms for animal anatomy).
     • Pass Rate: The pass rate can be challenging, with one recent year showing a 60% pass rate. This means passing is "definitely not a given".
     • If you pass the MCQ: You will be granted temporary registration, which allows you to work as a vet in Australia under supervision. This means you cannot work as a sole practitioner, nor can you dispense Schedule 8 drugs on your own. Your salary will likely be comparable to a new graduate's. You then have five years to complete the final practical exam. This period allows you to gain experience, earn money, and prepare for the next stage. Some employers may even help with fees for the final exam.
4. Practical and Oral Exam (Final Hurdle):
   • Cost: This is the most expensive part, with fees historically around AUD 7,000 to AUD 10,000.
   • Location: This exam is exclusively held at Gatton University in Queensland, requiring you to travel to Australia if you are overseas.
   • Format: It is an intensive, week-long examination (Monday to Friday), comprising multiple oral and practical components daily.
   • Content: You will be tested on hands-on experience across all species. This includes practical skills like tipping a sheep, conducting oral and lameness examinations on horses, performing physical exams, knowing vital signs for various animals, applying epidurals to cows, and rectal palpation for pregnancy diagnosis in cattle. You will also need to perform surgical procedures, such as a spay or cystotomy. Oral examinations often involve case discussions where you are asked to demonstrate your diagnostic and management approach.
   • Preparation: Preparing for the practical exam requires significant effort, especially if you lack experience with large animals or specific procedures. Many candidates offer to work with regional vets to gain the necessary hands-on experience.
   • Flexibility: A beneficial aspect of this exam is that if you fail a specific section (e.g., the spay or a particular palpation), you only need to re-take that specific component, not the entire exam. This exam is held twice a year.

Overall Timeline and Financial Commitment

• The entire process, from initial paperwork to full registration, typically takes two to three years in an ideal scenario (e.g., with financial support and focused study).
• However, if you are also working and balancing other life commitments, it can realistically extend to three to five years.
• The financial investment is substantial, covering exam fees, visa renewals, and living expenses. Despite the cost, it is seen as a worthwhile investment in your future earning potential and lifestyle.

Unexpected Challenges and Insights

• Gaining Trust: Upon commencing work in Australia, you may find that gaining the trust of colleagues takes time, especially if you are unfamiliar with Australian-specific terminology, medications, or certain surgical procedures.
• Cultural Nuances: Beyond veterinary practice, navigating the local culture can be challenging. You might encounter jokes or references from Australian childhoods, TV shows, or slang that are unfamiliar. This can lead to moments of not understanding or feeling like an outsider. Engaging with Australian literature or old Australian TV shows like "The Castle" can help bridge this cultural gap.
• Time Perspective: The time commitment (e.g., three to five years) might seem daunting, especially in your twenties. However, it's essential to remember that time passes quickly, and this period is an investment in achieving a significant career and lifestyle goal. Many feel that the "little bit of hard now" is worth it for the long-term benefits.

Resources for Preparation

• Brainy Bilby: Co-founded by Dr. Natalia Gomez, Brainy Bilby is currently the only Australian-based online platform designed to help overseas veterinarians prepare for the AVE. It provides study schedules, resources (including Australian-specific facts), and a supportive private group. Their courses are designed to be affordable. (A "bilby" is a small, cute, nocturnal Australian marsupial animal.)
• Online Resources: For English tests like the OET, YouTube channels and official websites offer helpful tips and practice materials. For general immigration queries, AI tools like ChatGPT can provide information, and the official Australian immigration website is a comprehensive resource.

Challenges and Pitfalls for International Veterinarians

• University Recognition is Paramount: The first and most crucial hurdle is ensuring your university is on the list of world universities recognised by the Australian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC). If your university is not on this list, you will unfortunately not be eligible to sit the Australian Veterinary Examination (AVE) and would need to re-study veterinary science in Australia.
• The English Test as the Initial Hurdle:
  • You must achieve a high score in all sections (listening, speaking, writing) of an accepted English test, such as the Occupational English Test (OET), PTE, or IELTS Academic. For OET, a score of 7 (70%) in each section is often required.
  • A common pitfall is that many overseas vets, even those who feel fluent, postpone this test. This often leads to significant stress and frustration when they fail due to a lack of preparation for the specific exam format, not their general fluency. It is vital to understand examiner expectations, time limits, and specific scenarios (e.g., writing referral letters, role-playing consultations).
  • Failing this initial test can lead to frustration and giving up on the entire process, even after significant study for the veterinary exams. It is the "starting gate".
• Complex Visa and Immigration Process:
  • Visa options vary significantly by country of origin (e.g., working holiday visas are not available for all nationalities like Colombia, requiring a student visa instead).
  • Navigating visa renewals can be difficult, especially if on a student visa or working as a vet nurse, as sponsorship might tie them to a non-vet role for extended periods.
  • The process demands meticulous attention to detail; there is "no room for a single mistake" when submitting paperwork, as a tiny error can lead to rejection.
• The Australian Veterinary Examination (AVE) Itself:
  • Extensive Paperwork: Once the English test is passed, a lot of paperwork from your home country (e.g., university degrees, registration details) needs to be gathered and officially translated.
  • Application is Not Guaranteed: You must apply to the AVBC to sit the exam, and acceptance is not guaranteed for everyone.
  • Lack of Resources/Guidance: A significant challenge is that once accepted, candidates are largely "on their own" with no official resources, tips, or study guides provided by the AVBC. This gap led to the creation of platforms like Brainy Bilby to provide support.
  • Substantial Financial Cost: The fees are significant: historically, the application fee is around AUD 500-600, the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) exam can range from AUD 3,400 to almost AUD 6,000, and the final Practical and Oral Exam can be AUD 7,000 to AUD 10,000. This cost, combined with the general high cost of living in Australia and visa renewals, can be a major discouragement.
  • Australian-Specific Content: The MCQ exam includes Australian-specific facts, vocabulary, epidemiology, and protocols for diseases prevalent in Australia, which requires a "massive adjustment" in study.
  • Challenging Pass Rates: The pass rate for the MCQ exam can be challenging, with one recent year showing a 60% pass rate, meaning passing is "definitely not a given".
• Demanding Practical and Oral Exam:
  • Location Constraint: This part of the exam is only held at Gatton University in Queensland, requiring candidates to travel to Australia if overseas.
  • Intensive Format: It's an intensive, week-long examination comprising multiple oral and practical components daily.
  • Broad Practical Skills: You are tested on hands-on experience across all species, including large animals, requiring skills like tipping a sheep, performing oral and lameness examinations on horses, applying epidurals to cows, rectal palpation for pregnancy diagnosis, and even surgical procedures like a spay or cystotomy. Many international vets lack this specific large animal or hands-on experience and need to actively seek it out with regional vets.
• Significant Time Commitment: The entire process, from initial paperwork to full registration, typically takes two to three years in an ideal scenario, but can realistically extend to three to five years if you are also working and balancing other life commitments. This long timeline can feel daunting, especially for younger vets.
• Post-Exam Challenges and Cultural Integration:
  • Gaining Trust from Colleagues: Even after passing the initial MCQ exam and gaining temporary registration, it can take time to gain the trust of colleagues. This is partly due to unfamiliarity with Australian-specific terminology, medications, or certain surgical procedures, which can sometimes be misjudged as a lack of knowledge.
  • Limitations of Temporary Registration: While it allows you to work as a vet under supervision, you cannot work as a sole practitioner or dispense Schedule 8 drugs on your own. Employers must sign a legal document supervising you, which some practices may be "reluctant" to do. Your salary will likely be comparable to a new graduate's.
  • Cultural Nuances: Beyond the veterinary practice itself, navigating the local culture can be challenging. You might encounter jokes, references from Australian childhoods, TV shows, or slang that are unfamiliar, leading to moments of not understanding or feeling like an "outsider".