23 February 2025
Are you a vet or VN wondering whether “down under” is just a lifestyle fantasy? Greencross Vets in Australia provide some answers…
You don’t move to Australia because you’re bored. You move because you want more.
If you’re a vet or veterinary nurse wondering whether “down under” is just a lifestyle fantasy, well, here’s the honest answer:
The medicine is real. The standards are high. And the professional growth? Accelerated.
So, let’s talk about what actually changes.
Greencross Vets operates a national network of more than 150 general practice clinics, supported by more than 20 specialist and emergency hospitals across six states and territories, delivering advanced emergency, referral, and specialist care through multidisciplinary hospital teams.
That means structured referral pathways, accessible support and an established clinical network behind you.
This isn’t medicine on the fly. It’s well-supported, high-standard veterinary care. Just with a few different species involved…
In a UK GP clinic, you’re most likely fluent in hyperthyroidism, allergic skin disease, dental charts and diabetic cats. Solid medicine and a familiar rhythm.
But sometimes there are some interesting curveball cases thrown into the mix. How might you tackle a dog that has bitten an Eastern Brown snake, Cane toad toxicity or a brachycephalic patient with saltwater aspiration?
These presentations are region-dependent and seasonal in nature, so you won’t be seeing snake cases every shift, but when they do present, they’re intense, team-driven and professionally rewarding.
They demand decisive triage, close nursing collaboration and confident emergency thinking. They’re the kinds of cases that remind you why you trained in the first place.
Australia’s outdoor culture genuinely shifts case patterns.
Heat and humidity influence:
Beach-loving dogs present with lacerations, foreign bodies and saltwater-related issues. Active owners tend to prioritise preventative care and early intervention.
Programmes such as Healthy Pets Plus encourage proactive health screening and regular examinations, meaning you’re often practising medicine with clients who are engaged rather than reactive.
If you’re a UK-trained RVN, you’ll already know how capable and highly utilised nurses are in modern British practice.
Australia is similar in many respects, but, as with any country, scope and responsibility can vary across clinics, regions, and individual teams.
In emergency-heavy or referral environments, nurses may be closely involved in monitoring critical patients, managing inpatient care plans and supporting complex stabilisation cases. In other settings, the role may feel more familiar and structured around consult support and inpatient care.
What’s consistent across Greencross’ network is a team-based approach to patient care and a shared focus on high clinical standards
If you’re motivated by developing your clinical skillset, gaining exposure to different case types and working collaboratively within a supportive team, there are environments within the network that will clearly align with that ambition.
Relocating continents is bold and for many can feel really overwhelming. Greencross clinics provide a structured induction, protocols and workflow from day one.
Continuing education pathways include workshops, webinars, national symposium events and scholarship opportunities.
Remuneration is competitive and broadly comparable with UK salaries, with packages structured to reflect experience, location and role type.
There is also a strong emphasis on well-being, including trained Mental Health First Aiders and access to confidential employee support programmes. You are not arriving alone. You are joining an established network designed to help you settle, develop and succeed.
Veterinary medicine is demanding wherever you are. That part doesn’t change.
What does change is what’s waiting outside the clinic.
Evenings might mean:
You decompress differently here, and that matters for career longevity and a work-life balance you can truly enjoy.
For many people, the hesitation often isn’t simply professional; it’s also personal.
Australia offers strong public and private schooling systems, with clear enrolment and catchment processes. Healthcare infrastructure is well established, and government resources provide clarity around taxation and superannuation.
We can provide support with visa processes and relocation logistics, helping to simplify what can otherwise feel extremely overwhelming. From paperwork guidance to settling-in support, our goal is to reduce stressors so you can start confidently in your new role.
We want to support this as a structured transition and not a leap into the unknown.
Whether you’re a veterinary surgeon looking to broaden your clinical exposure, or a vet nurse ready to step into case management and greater autonomy, there are opportunities across metropolitan, coastal and regional clinics within Greencross’ national network.
If you’re in the “just looking” stage, that’s completely fine! Please contact us for an informal chat.
Start by exploring the roles currently available across the country and see what aligns with your experience, goals and lifestyle preferences.
You can view all open veterinary and veterinary nurse positions via our employer-branded page here and check out our video on YouTube here or below.
Sometimes the first step is simply seeing what could be waiting for you.
You’ll book the flights soon after.
