How to become a Veterinary Technologist

Also called: Animal Technician, Veterinary Technician

Performs diagnostic procedures used in the medical care of animals, and monitors their health and wellbeing to support the work of veterinary, medical and other scientists.

Main tasks

• Triages sick or injured animals in a variety of environments such as veterinary clinics, farms or zoos
• Administers anaesthesia to animals in preparation for surgery, and monitors them throughout the procedure
• Obtains and tests animal blood, urine and faecal samples
• Performs animal tests including X-rays, laparoscopes, endoscopes, CT scans and dental procedures
• Provides post-operative care instructions to animal carers
• Monitors animals and records their behaviour and vital signs to ensure complete records of their care

Ways in

• University: Veterinary & Animal Science degrees, Offered by 11 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $93,288 a year
• About 22,400 people work in this job group now, and about 24,400 are projected by 2035. (+8.6%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Veterinarian
• Dental Hygienist
• Dental Prosthetist
• Oral Health Therapist or Dental Therapist
• Dental Specialist
• Dentist

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Veterinary Technologist?

Ways in include: Veterinary & Animal Science degrees.

How much does a Veterinary Technologist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $93,288 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Veterinary Technologist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 22,400 to about 24,400 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Veterinary Technologist?

Not always. 54% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Veterinary & Animal Science degrees.

Will AI change the work of a Veterinary Technologist?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04