21/05/2025
MEDIA RELEASE | Veterinary fees reflect the true cost of delivering complex, high-quality medical care in a system that receives no government subsidies. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is responding to recent commentary about the affordability of vet care, clarifying the many factors that drive these costs.
“Veterinary care involves skilled professionals, advanced diagnostics, surgical expertise, and ongoing treatment, all delivered without any public funding or Medicare-style support,” said AVA President Dr Gemma Chuck. “These are professional medical services, and the associated fees reflect the cost of maintaining high standards.”
Today’s animal owners rightly expect a high level of care, often comparable to the standards they receive in human medicine and veterinary teams work hard to meet these expectations. However, unlike human healthcare, where the majority of costs are covered by government programs such as Medicare and the PBS, veterinary care is fully funded by individual pet owners. On average Australians typically contribute just 15% towards their own healthcare expenses, while pet owners are responsible for covering 100% of veterinary bills.
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