Veterinary FAQs

Yes, for the BVetMed only.  If you meet the required academic threshold and your non-academic written application is successful, you will be asked to attend an online interview. This process will rank you based on video-recorded responses to a set of interview questions.  
For the BVetTech, there is no interview or other non-academic entry requirements.

School leaver applications will be based on the minimum ATAR requirement for each course (BVetMed = 85 ATAR; BVetTech = 65 ATAR). 
Non-school-leaver applications are for those who are applying whilst already enrolled in another program (course), or who no longer have a valid ATAR.

Non-native English speakers will be required to meet English proficiency benchmarks (e.g., IELTS) to ensure safe communication in clinical settings. 
BVetMed has a minimum overall requirement of 7.0 IELTS  
BVetTech has a minimum overall requirement of 6.0 IELTS.

This depends on which veterinary course you are admitted to.
BVetTech:  Deferral may be permitted in compassionate or medical circumstances, subject to SCU’s deferral policies and availability.
BVetMed: Deferment is not allowed for this course.

We are targeting an intake of 35-40 students.

Unsuccessful candidates are welcome to apply in successive years. Candidates can actively work to improve their competitiveness for future years by improving their academic ranking and/or developing stronger evidence for the non-academic criteria, e.g. building more experience in working with animals. Enrolment in a related field of study can be a good way to develop your case for future applications, by improving your academic rank through earning a high GPA in tertiary studies, or by completion of subjects that are assumed knowledge, e.g. biology, chemistry. 
BVetTech units are a common pathway for students to transition into veterinary medicine. 

Possibly. It depends on what courses and subjects you’ve done and how closely they align with the early units in the veterinary courses. As veterinary training is quite unique, we rarely see applicants who have completed units that are eligible for credit. Credit is more likely to be given where you’ve done veterinary or highly related training (e.g. animal or biomedical sciences) at another institution. SCUVS staff will review the completed coursework against BVetMed and BVetTech units to make these decisions. Some units are shared between the SCU BVetTech and BVetMed courses, so applicants transferring from BVetTech to BVetMed would receive credit for those shared units. 

Possibly. Where applicants have demonstrable skills with certain animal species or work contexts, we can review eligibility for “Recognition of Prior Learning” or RPL. However, granting RPL is not always offered, as not everyone’s previous experience aligns with the skills we need to develop, particularly with respect to clinical skills. 

Many veterinary programs have entry requirements that include completion of senior level mathematics, chemistry and other subjects. The SCU BVetMed has no mandated pre-requisite subjects like this. However, having completed subjects at school or university that have relevance to veterinary science will make you much better prepared for your studies, and therefore more likely to be successful. The candidate ranking process will consider your level of academic preparation based on subject experience. 

Applicants that are invited for interview will be provided an update on the status of their application by mid-December.

Due to the high numbers of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback or status updates. We encourage applicants who have been unsuccessful to strengthen their application before reapplying by building a stronger academic profile, being able to demonstrate companion, equine and production animal handling experience, building clinical experience and experience in regional or rural veterinary practices or pursuits and understanding and demonstrating the professional attributes of a veterinarian. 

SCU offers two (2) Veterinary Science courses.  The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours), a five-year full-time degree that delivers the knowledge, skills, and clinical exposure required for you to practice as a registered veterinary surgeon. 
The Bachelor of Veterinary Technology is a 3-year full-time course. You will develop skills that allow you to practice as a veterinary nurse/technologist. You will also develop a strong theoretical understanding of a veterinary health care team philosophy and practice. The course also includes training in areas such as anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition and reproduction, clinical pathology and microbiology, radiography, and pharmacology.

The BVetMed is the degree that allows to be registered to practise veterinary medicine and surgery when you graduate. The degree and associated curriculum are tightly controlled to be compliant with stringent accreditation requirements, to guarantee you’ll graduate with all of the skills (Day 1 Competencies) you need to be a vet. 
The BVetTech qualifies you to be a veterinary technologist. Vet Techs support vets in clinical practice, much like a human nurse works with doctors. But they do much more – please refer to the BVetTech course page for more details. 

SCU’s veterinary training aims to produce practice-ready graduates who are optimally selected and training to work in general, mixed-animal practice in rural and regional areas. We prioritise clinical and practical training, breadth and depth of animal handling experiences, complemented by essential theoretical knowledge, and the skills to independently source and critically evaluate new knowledge for clinical application. You will have the opportunity to work directly with animals from the first term of the first year and will engage in clinical training very early. Our graduates will be self-motivated, independent, and capable professionals who are willing to take on new challenges and who can work effectively in modern professional work environments. 

On satisfying all course, assessment and placement requirements, graduates are eligible to apply for veterinary registration in Australia and New Zealand via the relevant state/territory boards, pending final accreditation approval of the BVetMed course (occurring in 2030).

Students must meet SCU’s inherent requirements, which cover the physical, communication, cognitive, and ethical standards required of applicants for veterinary study and practice. Reasonable adjustments may be made where possible.

Beyond Inherent Requirements (see the related FAQ) students must demonstrate a series of attributes on graduation that will facilitate you: providing safe and effective care to animals; working professionally with clients, colleagues, and the public; and upholding the reputation of the veterinary profession. It requires students to demonstrate being clinically competent, but also aligned to ethical, legal, and professional practice requirements.

The terms "inherent requirements" and "fitness to practice" are related but distinct concepts in professional education. Inherent requirements are the essential capabilities, knowledge, and skills that a student must possess to successfully complete a course or program. Fitness to practice refers to whether a student is suitable to enter the profession - meaning they are safe, ethical, and competent to work with animals, clients, and the public.

SCU’s Policy Library contains official documents for assessment, grading, appeals, academic misconduct, placements, and more.

After graduation from the BVetMed, you must complete registration procedures with the relevant state or territory veterinary board. This applies to BVetTech graduates who aim to work in Western Australia, with registration requirements potentially rolling out to other states and territories in the future.

For the BVetMed, unfortunately this is not allowable.  
For the BVetTech, yes, international onshore students are eligible to apply.

SCU is actively working with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) to have the BVetMed accredited. This is an ongoing process. The course has satisfied the first hurdle in this process, having been granted “Reasonable Assurance” of accreditation. Once the first cohort of students commence in the course, it will be granted “Provisional” accreditation. Full accreditation status will be determined once the first BVetMed cohort are in their final year of training, i.e. 2030. Graduating from an AVBC accredited veterinary school will allow you to practice in Australia and New Zealand. Accreditation with international agencies (e.g. RCVS, AVMA) is not in place at the moment. When these international accreditations are gained, they cannot be retrospectively applied, i.e. you are only eligible for international registration if you complete the entire course whilst it has been accredited. 

Special Consideration allows you to request extensions, alternate exam arrangements, or adjustments when assessments may be adversely impacted by illness, personal crisis, or other compelling circumstances. To be eligible, you must submit the SCU Special Consideration eForm (within two working days of assessment/exam).

There are different processes and responsible academics to check in with, depending on the circumstances. Please refer to the links resources noted. https://www.scu.edu.au/current-students/services-and-support/student-appeals/

Many practical, laboratory, tutorial, and clinical classes have mandatory attendance. This is to ensure all students gain essential competencies required for WHS training or to meet accreditation and other Day 1 Competencies. Non-attendance without valid reason may affect your ability to complete required assessments or placements, and therefore progress in the course. Special Consideration applications can be submitted when needed.

The SCU veterinary courses include quizzes, assignments, and other typical university assessment types. However, there is much more emphasis placed on competency and workplace-based assessments, e.g. OSCEs, practical exams, and placement-based performance evaluations. SCU and the Veterinary Sciences Discipline offer academic support, learning advisers, disability/inclusion services, and wellbeing support.

Equity or rural access schemes may apply; consult SCU admissions policy or BVetMed application materials for eligibility and priority guidelines. The veterinary courses are very much aimed at rural and regional applicants, who intend to work in mixed animal practice in rural and regional areas.

The SCU veterinary courses use a Distributed Model of clinical instruction. This means that instead of maintaining University-owned hospitals, farms, etc. students develop their practical and clinical expertise through clinical and professional placements with external partners, with co-teaching and close management by SCU academics. Field stations or research farms are used for animal production or wildlife placements.

The BVetMed and BVetTech programs include progression rules to assure your scaffolded development of critical competencies. If you fall behind in competency development or cannot meet professional requirements, there will be opportunities for remediation, reassessment or development of a more comprehensive progression plan. In some instances, students may be required to withdraw from the course, either temporarily or permanently. In the future, there may be options for an exit degree for students who successfully complete Year 3 of the BVetMed.

Enrolment guidance and orientation sessions typically occur prior to Term 1 start. Students register for units via MyEnrolment / student portal.

Yes. As you can imagine, being a vet is not something you can learn remotely – it involves developing a wide and deep range of technical, hands-on skills, as well as confidence in working directly with animals and other people. Most of your learning will be in small-group situations where you will be actively interacting with teaching staff, animals, equipment, facilities, etc. that are essential to your training. This is particularly the case for the clinical phase of training. Highly specialised veterinary training will be undertaken in purpose-built facilities on the Lismore and Wollongbar campuses, and in external partner organisations. You will be expected to attend these sites many times a week and will need to be resident within commuting distance of the Lismore campus. 

Details about your exemption and related conditions will be detailed in your official outcome letter that has been emailed to you. You must follow instruction and abide by the condition's set out in the letter, including timeframes in which the exemption may be valid for.

For the BVetMed:  Students wishing to take any period away from their study must consult with the Course Coordinator. 
Students who have taken an LOA greater than 12 months must meet with the Course Coordinator to determine continuation of study.  Continuation of study may not necessarily be guaranteed depending on the period and nature of the absence. 

For the BVetTech:  Any student wishing to take a period away from study of one or more terms must consult with the 
Course Coordinator.  Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of any two (2) units without prior approval from the Course Coordinator; students who have an approved interrupted study sequence of 12 months or more will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake specified practice or theory remediation activities to ensure currency prior to continuation of the course; Students’ continuation of the course post approved interruption of study is subject to available places within the cohort and teaching period. 

You are responsible for any accommodation and travel costs associated with practical sessions and WIL.  Here are some useful links and information about support that is available to you.:

Unistays:

Scholarships:

Student Loans:

Please refer to the SCU Assessment policies:

Assessment, Teaching and Learning Procedures
Rules Relating to Awards

Yes, vaccinations should be undertaken on admission into the courses, to protect you during your early training. Prior to scheduling of practical sessions and WIL placements you must present evidence of required immunisations (Q-Fever and Tetanus), or other clearances as outlined in placement documentation. 

Both Veterinary courses include mandatory Work Integrated Learning (WIL), where students complete clinical training weeks across on-campus clinics and partner veterinary hospitals or practices. Course websites include specific amounts of this required across clinical and pre-clinical phases of the curriculum.

WIL is an essential part of veterinary training. These immersive workplace placements allow you to learn through exposure to real world veterinary practice and develop your professional skills working within veterinary and related teams. To complete the BVetMed, you will be required to complete: 

10 weeks of Animal Husbandry WIL (AHWIL-1, AHWIL-2): experience on farms and other animal management enterprises where you will assist with day-to-day care and husbandry of animals 

4 weeks of Preclinical WIL (PCWIL): where you are included within veterinary teams as a para-professional, and become familiar with clinical enterprises and their operation 

12 weeks of Extra-Mural Clinical WIL (CWIL, CWIL-1): under the supervision of a registered veterinarian, you will actively participate in the diagnosis and treatment of animals and other elements of clinical management. 

30 weeks of Intra-Mural Clinical WIL:  will be completed by all students at distributed SCU controlled/contracted sites. These activities will be centrally timetabled by SCU and will facilitate students completing the required WIL at appropriate sites. 

Students are required to complete 4 weeks of intramural WIL (VTWIL-1, VTWIL-2) and 12 weeks of clinical WIL (VTEC3007 and VTEC3008); and 2 weeks of extramural WIL (VTWIL-3), totaling 18 weeks.

Yes, if you have found a provider within your local area and there is no conflict of interest, this is allowable.  Please contact the VS WIL Team for further information.

This is not guaranteed, and students should be prepared to travel and be away from home for some WIL.

Yes, if you are registered with Student Inclusion and Equity and your Learning Access Plan states you are required to be close to home due to a medical condition or similar, this will be taken into consideration. 

No, we cannot offer you preferential allocation due to this reason alone. If you have extenuating circumstances which you feel warrant special accommodation (eg: start/finish times, location), you can apply for consideration through the Work Integrated Learning Attendance Variation Application in Sonia > Forms tab. 

Each course varies and will depend on the recommended course progression which can be found on our course pages (under the course structure tab). If you have questions about your course progression please contact Client Services for advice.