Veterinary scene down under: New antimicrobial stewardship learning resources, plus progressing veterinary nurse and technologist regulations

Advancing statutory regulation of veterinary nurses and technologists

The Regulation of Veterinary Nurses and Technologists (RVNT) Working Party was established in August 2024 by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) and the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA), to advance statutory regulation of veterinary nurses and technologists across all Australian jurisdictions.

“The RVNT Working Party is making significant strides in its mission to advance statutory regulation across all Australian jurisdictions. Established to ensure professional standards, the RVNT Working Party has continued to gather industry insights and advocate for a cohesive regulatory framework that supports veterinary nurses, technologists, and the broader veterinary profession,” said Jane Bindloss, RVN (UK), DipMgt, chair of the RVNT Working Party, to dvm360®.

“Through statutory regulation, the Working Party seeks to support accessible, sustainable, and resilient professions that meet the evolving demands and standards expected of the veterinary workforce in Australia.”

Bindloss explained that with the veterinary sector facing growing workforce challenges, the regulation of veterinary nurses and technologists represents an opportunity to fully integrate and utilize skilled professionals within recognized and consistent national legal frameworks.

“Statutory regulation is not only vital for improving standards of care but also crucial for supporting economic resilience in emergency animal disease response efforts, where trained and registered professionals play a central role,” said Bindloss.

“Since our first meeting in August last year, we’ve undertaken several key actions including reviewing current practices around registration and regulation across Australia and internationally, aiming to identify best practices that can be adapted for local implementation. The group has also researched both veterinary and allied human health models.”

RVNT Working Party meeting in August 2024 (Image courtesy of Australasian Veterinary Boards Council)

A critical priority for the RVNT Working Party was confirming clear terminology and definitions for veterinary nurses and technologists.

“A veterinary nurse holds a minimum Certificate IV in veterinary nursing, while a veterinary technologist has completed a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology. We’ve also undertaken regular consultation with veterinary and veterinary nursing associations, veterinary surgeons boards, and practitioners to align on the benefits of statutory registration, from enhanced workforce sustainability to improved animal welfare outcomes,” explained Bindloss.

“The Working Party is also in the process of finalizing a set of recommendations that will provide a roadmap for implementing statutory regulation, addressing critical areas such as public protection, professional accountability, scope of practice and workforce support.”

In addition to Bindloss, the members of the RVNT Working Party include representatives from across the veterinary sector, with Susan Keane, MVB, MANZCVS; Patricia Clarke BVSc, PhD; Jennifer Hamlin BSc, RVN, RVT; Sue Godkin, BSc, BVMS; Gary Fitzgerald, BASc; Graham Pratt, MEc; Jasmine Pengelly, RVN; and Esther Callcott, Cert IV, VN, BMedSc (Hons), PhD.

“The RVNT Working Party will continue to refine its recommendations in the coming months, working closely with government and industry stakeholders. We are committed to keeping the veterinary community informed and welcome feedback from all practitioners who are invested in the advancement of our profession,” Bindloss concluded.

AMR Vet Collective's new learning modules

The AMR Vet Collective plans to release new antimicrobial stewardship learning resources after it partnered with a number of industries to develop species-specific modules in 2025. The AMR Vet Collective's mission is to translate the science around antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial stewardship into meaningful and practical information that veterinarians can call upon to make informed, evidence-based decisions in daily veterinary practice.

“We’re excited to be shortly releasing a new set of case studies, which will have a focus on feedlot production – both beef and sheep, supported by Animal Health Australia. Soon after that a new set of resources and guidelines will be released for wildlife, focusing on wildlife care for general practitioners, and including resources aimed at wildlife carers,” explained Jane Heller, BSc, BVSc, MVetClinStud, PhD, MANZCVS, a founding member of the AMR Vet Collective, to dvm360.

“These resources have been in development with input from some incredible wildlife experts across Australia, and are made possible through funding support from Wildlife Health Australia,” she continued.

The AMR Vet Collective website already has an array of learning resources for veterinary professionals, and the new content will complement existing learning modules which cover dogs, cats, sheep, poultry, and cattle.

“We are really looking forward to expanding our content to allow specific and detailed information for individual species. Longer term, 2 full modules are in development. One, funded by AgriFutures, is an equine-specific module, with sections on foals, reproduction, medicine and surgery,” said Heller.

“The other, funded by Australian Pork Limited, is a pig-specific module, with content applicable to veterinarians working with backyard and commercial herds. For all veterinary professionals, remember to continue to follow us on social media to ensure that you are made aware of the release dates of the new material.”