Veterinary

The Bachelor of Veterinary Technology is three years full-time and trains students in the application of a range of veterinary and animal care techniques applied in the care and management of diverse animal species.
The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours) is five years full-time and trains students in the context of an accreditation framework, providing a qualification to work as a registered veterinary surgeon*. 

Veterinary surgeons and veterinary technologists work in a range of fields, including veterinary practice and veterinary research, animal rescue, animal training that supports human lives and work, the primary production sector and related food production and technology, sustainable agriculture, biosecurity, education and related research. Employment that requires a registered Veterinarian is only applicable for graduates of the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)*.

The Bachelor of Veterinary Technology is three years full-time. The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)* is five years full-time. 

The Bachelor of Veterinary Technology and the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)* are delivered face-to-face, based at the Northern Rivers campus in Lismore. Educational delivery will be via a mixed-modal model. This will include on-campus in-person classes and work placements combined with digital learning platform engagement.

There is a widely acknowledged shortage of veterinary professionals in Australia and internationally. The New South Wales Parliament conducted an inquiry into the veterinary workforce shortage in 2023. The inquiry’s findings and recommendations will be published in 2024. Employment for both qualifications is diverse and in demand

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)* graduates will be qualified veterinary surgeons.

However, Graduates of both the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology and the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)* will be qualified to work in veterinary practices in varying roles.

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours) graduates will be qualified and registerable as veterinary surgeons at the completion of their degree.* 

The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)* is subject to accreditation with the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council. Accreditation standards and Day One Competencies for veterinary medicine graduates in Australia align to those of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (United Kingdom) and the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (United States of America). Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)* graduates can practice veterinary medicine anywhere in Australia once registered within the state they wish to practice.*

In 2023, the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council announced an intention to establish a regulatory framework for the accreditation of undergraduate award courses in veterinary technology. Western Australia is currently the only state that requires mandatory registration of veterinary nurses and veterinary technologists in veterinary practice. Graduates will be eligible to register in WA.

The Bachelor of Veterinary Technology is proposed to commence in 2025. The first year of the award course has some units of study in common with the proposed first year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)* is planned to commence in 2026.

Successful completion of these units would be available for credit application.

Both degree courses are separate qualifications in their own right and have differing application processes. A student undertaking study in the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)* and will be assessed according to the admission policy and requirements for the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours)* at that time.

Either:

Completion of an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent)

or

A recognised VET or Higher Education qualification (Cert IV AQF4 or higher) that meets the minimum ATAR/rank specified.

Please note: incomplete Higher Education qualifications with a passing GPA may be considered for admission.

Applications for advanced standing or recognition of prior learning (RPL) will be assessed on a case by case basis according to SCU policy.