Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions you’ll make — and for many people, the idea of working with animals is both exciting and meaningful. A career in the veterinary industry offers opportunities that are not only rewarding and in-demand but also diverse, ranging from hands-on animal care to client support and specialised roles.
Whether you’re just starting out or considering a career change, this field allows you to combine your passion for animals with professional skills that make a real difference. With the right training and support, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people who share your dedication to animal welfare. Below, we explore 7 reasons why a career in animal care or vet nursing could be the perfect path for you.
1. Work with animals every day
If you’re even considering a career related to animals, it’s likely that you’re an animal lover. In this case, you’ll appreciate the opportunity to spend time with all kinds of animals every day. Not many people are lucky enough to surround themselves with the things they love during work hours.
2. Be part of a growing industry
One of the benefits of a career helping animals is the strong and consistent demand for jobs. According to the current Job Outlook, opportunities for roles such as veterinary nurses in Australia are projected to grow strongly over the next 5 years. Some careers depend on technological trends for growth and stability and many of these are being disrupted and replaced. However, in the veterinary industry, we are not finding this to be the case. Instead, people with pets are increasingly seeking the services of qualified and skilled professionals to help keep their pets healthy and well.
3. No two days are ever the same!
When you have a job working with animals, it is unlikely you will complain about carrying out tedious and repetitive tasks, day in and day out. Instead, you will likely encounter a variety of animals including cats and dogs, reptiles, birds, native animals, and a wider range of smaller animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. These have very different needs and require your attention in many different ways.
If you are a veterinarian, veterinary nurse or assistant you will also deal with stressful and sometimes uncomfortable situations. An owner might bring in a pet that’s been in an accident, has suffered a bad injury or is suffering from a life threatening illness. Each patient will have individual needs and require you to use different skills and levels of expertise.
While the job isn’t always easy, it won’t be routine or boring. If you’re looking for a career that offers both consistent and diverse tasks and challenges, working with animals might be just right for you.
4. You can get qualified quickly
If you’re dreaming of becoming a veterinary nurse, you’ll need the right skills and knowledge — but the good news is you don’t have to spend years at university to get there. Unlike many professional careers that require three or more years of study, you can become job-ready as a veterinary nurse much sooner.
For example, if you meet the entry requirements for the ACM40418 Certificate IV In Veterinary Nursing, you could complete your qualification in as little as 18 months. Online study options may take a little longer, but they still offer a quicker pathway compared to most other professional careers.
A career in animal care and veterinary nursing gives you the chance to start working in a professional role more quickly — so you can begin making a difference with animals sooner.
More Reading: How long does it take to become a vet nurse→
5. Make a difference in animals’ lives — and their owners’
When you work as a veterinarian, veterinary assistant or veterinary nurse you will play an essential role in educating pet owners about pet care. For example, providing advice on optimal diets, medication, wound care, managing long-term illness and training and enrichment.
In many cases, the care and advice you provide will improve and save the lives of animals. The comfort you provide animals and their owners is a source of pride and satisfaction that you won’t find in many other careers.
6. You’ll keep learning and growing
As a professional who works with animals, there’s no end to what you can learn. The medical sciences, including veterinary nursing, are constantly advancing. You’ll learn a great deal in your training and even more once you begin your career. However, it doesn’t stop there. As you apply your knowledge, you will gain experience and learn from more experienced people. You will also be able to keep up with the latest advances, such as new drugs and procedures to keep animals healthy. This is a career where you will never stop learning and honing your skills.
7. You have many career options
You may want to obtain qualifications to get a job as a veterinary assistant, veterinary nurse, practice manager or even higher. These are all excellent options if you want to work in a veterinary practice. There are, however, many other potential career paths as well.
When you have knowledge of animal care, you can work in pet stores, zoos, wildlife parks, aquariums, equestrian centres, and more. Learn more about careers with animals here.
Whether you work for yourself or seek a position, you can take your skills to just about any location. If you’re looking for a career that’s exciting, diverse and gives you the chance to interact with all kinds of people as well as critters, animal care is worth considering. Jobs in this field are not going to disappear regardless of economic conditions or new technology trends. Taking care of our non-human friends is a rewarding and fulfilling career path.
Courses you may like
On-Site Intensive
ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care (Vet Nursing Pathway)
About Vet Nurse Pathway
Vet Nursing Pathway
Online & On-campus
ACM40418 Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
About Vet Nursing
