How to Become a Vet in Australia: ATAR Requirements & Steps

Your child has always been the one stopping to pet every dog on the street, the kid who cried at wildlife documentaries and announced at age seven that they were going to be an animal doctor. Now they're in secondary school and the question is suddenly very real: what does it actually take to become a vet in Australia?

The honest answer is that veterinary science is one of the most competitive university pathways in the country — but it's absolutely achievable with the right preparation. The key is knowing exactly which subjects to choose, what ATAR score to aim for, and how each university's entry requirements differ. Get those things right early, and your child puts themselves in the best possible position.

This guide covers everything you need to know: from Year 11 subject selection all the way through to what life looks like as a qualified vet.

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The Short Answer: What It Takes to Get Into Vet School

To become a veterinarian in Australia, your child will need to complete a specialist veterinary degree — typically five to six years of full-time study — at one of a small number of accredited universities. Entry is highly competitive, with ATAR scores generally required in the range of 95.00 to 99.99 at most institutions.

On top of a strong ATAR, universities usually require specific Year 12 prerequisite subjects (Chemistry is almost universal; Biology and Physics are commonly expected), and some institutions have introduced additional assessments beyond academic scores.

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Which Year 12 Subjects Should Your Child Take?

Subject selection in Years 11 and 12 is one of the most important decisions your child will make on the path to vet school. According to the Victorian Government's guidance on choosing Year 11 and 12 subjects, subject choices should align with the prerequisites of the specific university courses your child is targeting — because these differ between institutions.

That said, there are strong patterns across Australian vet schools:

Subject	Typical Requirement	Notes
Chemistry	Almost always required	Core prerequisite at most institutions
Biology	Usually required or strongly recommended	Essential for vet study content
Physics	Often required or recommended	Supports chemistry and physiology understanding
Mathematics	Commonly required	At least intermediate level in most states
English	Standard requirement	Required across all VCE/HSC pathways

Here's where it gets a little tricky. Chemistry and Physics tend to scale higher than Biology in most state grading systems — meaning they can boost your child's overall ATAR. Biology, however, is the subject most directly relevant to veterinary study and is often a specific prerequisite.

The smart approach is to take all three: Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. Yes, it's a demanding combination. But it satisfies prerequisites and gives your child the best chance of a competitive ATAR. Many students who secure vet school entry do exactly this.

If your child is in Year 9 or 10 right now, this is the time to start thinking about it — not Year 12. Building strong foundations in science now means those subjects are far less daunting later. Our science practice papers can help consolidate the skills they'll need heading into senior school.

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How Long Does It Take to Become a Vet?

The training pathway is longer than most other health professions, so it's worth being realistic with your child about the timeline.

Five years is the minimum at Murdoch University in Western Australia, which offers an integrated Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Biology) / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Murdoch is notably the only city-based Australian university with a fully operational on-campus farm — giving students hands-on animal experience from early in their studies. This is the only veterinary qualification available in Western Australia.

Six years is the pathway at the University of Sydney, which offers a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — a globally recognised qualification that Sydney frames within a "One Health" approach, connecting veterinary health, human medicine, and environmental systems.

After graduation, vets must register with their state or territory veterinary board before practising. The Australian Veterinary Association also sets a code of professional conduct that all practising veterinarians are expected to follow.

So from starting Year 7 to becoming a fully registered vet? Roughly eleven to twelve years of education in total — but your child will be doing meaningful, fascinating work throughout that journey.

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Where Can Your Child Study Veterinary Science in Australia?

This is one of the most important things for families to understand: there are only a small number of universities in Australia that offer fully accredited veterinary programs. This isn't like choosing between dozens of business schools. Geographic variation matters a lot.

Here's a snapshot of the key institutions:

University	Degree Structure	Location
Murdoch University	5-year integrated BSc(VetBiol)/DVM	Perth, WA
University of Sydney	6-year BVetBiol/DVM	Sydney, NSW
University of Melbourne	Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (graduate entry)	Melbourne, VIC
University of Queensland	Bachelor of Veterinary Science	Brisbane, QLD
Charles Sturt University	Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / DVM	Wagga Wagga, NSW
James Cook University	Bachelor of Veterinary Science	Townsville, QLD

For families in Victoria, the University of Melbourne's veterinary program is worth researching carefully — it operates as a graduate-entry degree, meaning your child would typically complete an undergraduate science degree first, then apply for the DVM. That can add years to the pathway but is a well-regarded route for students who want to strengthen their academic foundation first.

Always check the official admissions page for the specific university your child is targeting, as these details change year to year. Each institution sets its own ATAR thresholds, prerequisite subjects, and additional requirements.

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Getting In: More Than Just an ATAR

The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is expressed on a scale up to 99.95, in increments of 0.05. For veterinary science, your child will need to be near the very top of that scale.

But increasingly, a high ATAR alone isn't enough.

Murdoch University introduced the Casper Assessment in 2022 — a situational judgement test that evaluates non-cognitive qualities like empathy, communication, and the ability to collaborate under pressure. This shift reflects a broader recognition that a great vet needs more than scientific aptitude. They need emotional intelligence and professional judgement too.

This is actually good news for well-rounded students. If your child volunteers at an animal shelter, does leadership roles at school, or shows genuine care for others in their community, those qualities matter in the modern admissions process — not just their exam results.

Adjustment factors can also make a meaningful difference. Many universities offer ATAR bonuses for students from regional areas, for studying certain subjects, or under equity access schemes. These adjustments can effectively lower the required raw ATAR by anywhere from 2 to 10 points. It's worth looking into what schemes apply in your state, as they can genuinely open doors.

For students currently working toward their VCE in Victoria, practicing with VCE practice exams is one of the most effective ways to build exam confidence and push toward that competitive ATAR threshold.

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What Can Your Child Actually Do as a Vet?

One thing that often surprises families is just how broad a veterinary career can be. Most people picture a small animal clinic — and yes, that's absolutely one path. But there's much more.

Qualified veterinarians in Australia work across:

• Companion animal practice — dogs, cats, and small pets in suburban clinics
• Large animal and equine practice — horses, cattle, and livestock on farms and stations
• Wildlife and conservation — working with native species in zoos, national parks, and wildlife hospitals
• Biosecurity and government roles — protecting Australia's food supply and animal trade
• Research and academia — advancing veterinary medicine through university and laboratory roles
• Rural and remote consultation — serving farming communities across regional Australia

For a child drawn to wildlife, environmental work, or public health, veterinary science can open doors far beyond the local clinic. It's worth having that conversation with your child now — knowing why they want to become a vet helps them stay motivated through a long and demanding pathway.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What ATAR score does my child need to get into vet school in Australia?

Most Australian veterinary programs require an ATAR in the range of 95.00 to 99.99. The exact cut-off varies by institution and changes slightly each year based on applicant demand. Murdoch University, for example, typically sits at the higher end of this range. Adjustment factors — such as regional or equity bonuses — can help, so always check with each university's admissions office for the most current figures.

Are there any prerequisites my child must have completed before applying?

Yes, and they vary by university. Chemistry is the most consistent prerequisite across Australian vet schools. Biology and Physics are also commonly required or strongly recommended. Mathematics is usually expected at an intermediate or higher level. Your child should check the specific requirements of every university they're interested in, ideally before finalising their Year 11 subject choices.

Can my child get into vet school without a perfect ATAR?

It's possible, particularly through adjustment factor schemes or by completing an undergraduate degree first (for graduate-entry programs like Melbourne's DVM). Some universities also consider relevant work experience with animals, personal statements, or assessments like Casper alongside the ATAR. A raw score below 95 makes direct entry very difficult, but alternative pathways do exist for determined students.

How early should my child start preparing for a veterinary career?

Honestly, the earlier the better — but there's no need to panic. The most important foundation is building strong skills in science and mathematics through Years 9 and 10, so that senior-year subjects like Chemistry, Biology, and Physics feel manageable rather than overwhelming. Gaining experience with animals (volunteering, work experience at a vet clinic) from mid-secondary school is also genuinely valued in applications.

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Becoming a vet in Australia is a long road, but for the right child, it's an extraordinarily rewarding one. The most important steps your family can take right now are choosing the right Year 12 subjects, understanding each university's specific requirements, and building both academic and personal qualities that strong admissions processes look for. If you're based in Melbourne's western suburbs and would like a free academic assessment to help map out the best path forward for your child, get in touch with our team — we'd love to help.

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Sources

• Choosing Year 11 and 12 subjects — vic.gov.au
• Animal health and veterinary science — University of Sydney
• ATAR explained — QTAC
• How to become a veterinarian — Murdoch University