New scholarships will help veterinary students complete clinical placements in regional NSW, supporting workforce development and encouraging more graduates to pursue careers in rural and regional communities.
The Minns Labor Government today announced at Charles Sturt Univeristy in Wagga Wagga the creation of 94 scholarships for veterinary students to undertake work placements in the bush and regional areas.
This initiative is part of the Minns Government's plan to address the veterinary workforce shortage in NSW, particularly in regional areas and to maintain a well-functioning veterinary profession to safeguard animal and public health and welfare, plus manage biosecurity threats.
The Regional Placement Scholarships Program is providing financial support of between $1,500 and $3,000 for 94 veterinary students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the University of Sydney (USYD), to complete their unpaid clinical placements in regional areas.
Students placed in regional veterinary practices experience first hand the benefits of living in regional NSW, and are more likely to be enticed back when they finish their studies, playing a role in supporting the state's critical agricultural industry.
According to the Australian Veterinarian Association the veterinary workforce shortage is particularly acute in regional areas, with 44 per cent of advertised jobs left vacant for more than 12 months, compared to 28 per cent left vacant in metropolitan areas.
Vet students are required to undertake at least 52 weeks of unpaid work placement and financial pressures are a significant reason many students drop out.
The NSW Government is rolling out a series of support programs to get vets into regional NSW and boost services across the state, by delivering the following:
- The Minns Government's Welcome Experience Program which has supported the placement of 44 veterinarians and veterinary nurses across NSW so far (by 30 June 2026).
- $900,000 in funding to support to veterinary hospitals for small capital expenditure, consumables and operating costs to assist with wildlife treatment.
- Work is underway to reform the Veterinary Practice Act so it is modernised, and increases workforce capacity and capability and better protects the mental health and wellbeing of the veterinary workforce
These scholarships are higher for those completing placements in large/mixed animal clinics, that are critical to the agricultural industry. They include:
- $1,500 for a small animal regional veterinary placement
- $3,000 for a large/mixed animal regional veterinary placement, and
- $3,000 for a Local Land Services regional district veterinary placement.
As well as easing the financial burden through the Regional Placement Scholarship, the NSW Government through The Welcome Experience can offer relocation advice, help in finding temporary housing and facilitating new social connections.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty:
"The Minns Government is committed to ensuring our state has a thriving veterinary profession working closely with our farmers, regional families and part of the team addressing biosecurity threats.
"Regional NSW has a higher rate of veterinary shortages than the cities and we need to focus on solving that issue with these scholarships. That is critical for maintaining both our livestock industry and our regional lifestyle.
"Regional NSW has much to offer young professionals and by supporting these students spend time undertaking their work placements in regional and rural areas we will make a difference down the line.
"Attracting a sustainable veterinary workforce to regional NSW is a priority and so is developing a thriving veterinary profession across the board, and our Government will continue delivering reforms and initiatives to make that happen.
President of the Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW, Dr Magdoline Awad said:
"The Veterinary Practitioners Board welcomes this initiative, which provides students with financial support to pursue opportunities to move beyond the classroom and into real clinical settings, building confidence and practical skills.
"Placement costs can be a real barrier for students, especially when they are unpaid and involve travel and accommodation in regional areas. Anything that helps ease that pressure makes a meaningful difference.
"Regional practices give students exposure to a wide and varied caseload, particularly in large and mixed animal work, and that hands-on experience is invaluable in preparing them for everyday veterinary practice."
Vet Scholarship Case Study: Leigh Henson
"I've had incredibly positive placement experiences throughout my degree so far.
"Placements are invaluable opportunities to develop the skills and experience needed for professional practice.
"However, they can be financially challenging due to the costs of travel, accommodation and groceries, and the demands of placement often prevent us from working.
"Financial support through scholarships makes a significant difference, helping us manage these costs and fully engage with every placement opportunity."
Vet Scholarship Case Study: Noah Esmonde
"Our placements are an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience.
"Throughout my degree I have done many placements on farms and in vet clinics across Australia.
"It's the best way we can apply our learning, improve our communication skills and network across the industry.
"As well as being great for our learning, the placements are a requirement to complete our course, and travelling so much, costs a lot of money.
"Each placement is three weeks and across our final year we end up doing 30 weeks of unpaid placement.
"Scholarships like this large animal scholarship allow students like me the opportunity to travel and experience as much variation as possible.
"It also means that the financial stress that all full-time university students struggle with is reduced and means we have more time to study and focus on our learning."
Vet Scholarship Case Study: Jasmine Wholton
"The costs associated with work placements are significant.
"Many veterinary clinics simply don't have the capacity to offer accommodation to students, as their priority has to be looking after their staff - which is completely understandable.
"If we limit ourselves to only doing our placements at clinics that are able to offer accommodation, we miss out on some amazing places.
"This scholarship has made it possible for me to complete placements in rural clinics including three weeks in Holbrook.
"When we do our placements, we should be focused on trying to put our best foot forward and learn as much as we can, but instead we're often worrying about how we'll afford three weeks of unpaid work, while also juggling final exams and planning the next placement.
"This scholarship has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Having the accommodation costs looked after is one less thing to worry about, and it's allowed me to fully focus on gaining the experience I need."
