🐾 A Workforce Under Pressure: How Shortages and Stress Are Reshaping Veterinary Care

The Numbers Behind the Shortage

Australia’s veterinary industry is at a tipping point. According to Jobs & Skills Australia (2024), there are just 13,993 registered veterinarians caring for over 30 million pets — that’s one vet for every 2,000 animals.

Since COVID, pet ownership has surged, but the workforce has not kept pace.

The Human Toll on Clinics

This mismatch is taking a toll:

• Clinics are overwhelmed

• Waiting times are increasing

• Staff are stretched thin

Vet nurses, who are critical to daily operations, face particularly heavy workloads as they balance administrative and clinical duties. A La Trobe University study (2025) found that burnout among vet nurses is widespread, with many considering leaving the industry.

Industry bodies warn that if this trend continues, access to veterinary care — particularly in rural and regional areas — will worsen dramatically.

Burnout and Retention: The Critical Challenge

The biggest concern now is retention. Too many skilled vets and nurses are leaving each year due to:

• Unsustainable workloads

• Unmanageable stress

• Lack of adequate support systems

Industry leaders warn that if this trend continues, access to care—especially in rural and regional areas—will decline sharply. And it’s not just an Australian issue. Veterinary shortages are being reported globally, including in New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

So what can be done?

Improve workflow efficiency with digital tools
Going paperless and digitising records, forms, and client communication helps reduce admin burden and free up clinical time (Vets Digital, 2023).

Provide stronger support systems for veterinary teams
Nearly half of vet nurses report having no workplace systems in place to support their wellbeing. Researchers recommend better communication, career pathways, and clear policies (La Trobe University, 2025).

Create sustainable staffing models that reflect rising pet ownership
Pet ownership in Australia surged from 61% in 2019 to 69% in 2021, adding over 2 million pets. The workforce has not kept pace, leading to rising workloads and burnout (Animal Emergency Australia, 2021; Jobs & Skills Australia, 2024; La Trobe University, 2025).

Where Innovation Can Help

This is where Woofya steps in.

Woofya is a Melbourne-based pet care startup helping vet clinics boost efficiency, reduce admin stress, and unlock more capacity for vets with AI-powered post-consult workflows.

Co-designed with veterinarians, nurses, and pet behaviour experts, Woofya provides:

• Real-time pet recovery insights

• Digitised discharge instructions

These tools improve client adherence and care continuity while easing pressure on busy veterinary teams. Early pilot feedback has been very positive— Woofya saving 5–10 minutes per consult and up to 1 hour per nurse each day.

📞 Let’s Talk

Want to see how Woofya can support your clinic?
👉 Talk directly with our founding team: [email protected]