#145: Working in Australia: The Essential Roadmap for International Vets. WIth Dr Natalia Gomez episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 6, 2025 · 52 MIN

#145: Working in Australia: The Essential Roadmap for International Vets. WIth Dr Natalia Gomez

from The Vet Vault: Fall In Love With Veterinary Science · host Dr. Hubert Hiemstra

Thinking of trading grey skies for the Australian sun – stethoscope in hand?Moving to Australia as a vet can change your life, but here’s the truth: it’s not a straight road. Between visa hurdles, the dreaded AVE exams, and adjusting to a new culture (gotta love the Aussie slang!), the journey demands grit, strategy, and support.In this episode, we talk to Dr. Natalia Gomez , Colombian-born vet and co-founder of Brainy Bilby, a platform dedicated to helping foreign-trained vets prepare for the AVE, about the tips, pitfalls, and success stories learnt from her own her journey, and from the other overseas-trained vets she’s coached through the AVE.Here’s what you’ll learn:Why Australia is one of the most in-demand vet destinations – and how to make it work for youThe step-by-step roadmap to your veterinary licence (no fluff, just facts)AVE decoded: costs, structure, study tips & mistakes to avoidWhat it’s really like working under supervision (and finding supportive employers)The practical exam explained: sheep tipping, cow pregnancy tests, and moreSurviving the financial and emotional rollercoaster – without burning outHow to adapt to Aussie culture, slang, and workplace quirksLife on the other side: what makes it all worth it🎧 Listen now and start mapping your own Aussie vet journey.Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vvn.supercast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at ⁠⁠⁠⁠cutabove.supercast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get case support from our team of specialists in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Specialist Support Space⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠Subscribe to our weekly newsletter⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week.Join us in person for our epic adventure CE events at ⁠⁠Vets On Tour⁠⁠. (Next up: Japan snow conference!) Episode timestamps:04:32 Why Australia? The Allure for Vets10:04 The Australian Veterinary Examination (AVE)16:31 Navigating the English Test and Paperwork26:35 The Cost and Commitment of the AVE29:05 Working Under Supervision36:58 Preparing for the Practical Exam44:43 Cultural and Language Barriers

Thinking of trading grey skies for the Australian sun – stethoscope in hand?Moving to Australia as a vet can change your life, but here’s the truth: it’s not a straight road. Between visa hurdles, the dreaded AVE exams, and adjusting to a new culture (gotta love the Aussie slang!), the journey demands grit, strategy, and support.In this episode, we talk to Dr. Natalia Gomez , Colombian-born vet and co-founder of Brainy Bilby, a platform dedicated to helping foreign-trained vets prepare for the AVE, about the tips, pitfalls, and success stories learnt from her own her journey, and from the other overseas-trained vets she’s coached through the AVE.Here’s what you’ll learn:Why Australia is one of the most in-demand vet destinations – and how to make it work for youThe step-by-step roadmap to your veterinary licence (no fluff, just facts)AVE decoded: costs, structure, study tips & mistakes to avoidWhat it’s really like working under supervision (and finding supportive employers)The practical exam explained: sheep tipping, cow pregnancy tests, and moreSurviving the financial and emotional rollercoaster – without burning outHow to adapt to Aussie culture, slang, and workplace quirksLife on the other side: what makes it all worth it🎧 Listen now and start mapping your own Aussie vet journey.Lift your clinical game with our RACE approved clinical podcasts at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vvn.supercast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  for more clinical confidence and better patient outcomes, or check out our Advanced Surgery Podcast at ⁠⁠⁠⁠cutabove.supercast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get case support from our team of specialists in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Specialist Support Space⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠Subscribe to our weekly newsletter⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠for Hubert's favourite clinical and non-clinical learnings from the week.Join us in person for our epic adventure CE events at ⁠⁠Vets On Tour⁠⁠. (Next up: Japan snow conference!) Episode timestamps:04:32 Why Australia? The Allure for Vets10:04 The Australian Veterinary Examination (AVE)16:31 Navigating the English Test and Paperwork26:35 The Cost and Commitment of the AVE29:05 Working Under Supervision36:58 Preparing for the Practical Exam44:43 Cultural and Language Barriers

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#145: Working in Australia: The Essential Roadmap for International Vets. WIth Dr Natalia Gomez

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This episode was published on August 6, 2025.

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Thinking of trading grey skies for the Australian sun – stethoscope in hand?Moving to Australia as a vet can change your life, but here’s the truth: it’s not a straight road. Between visa hurdles, the dreaded AVE exams, and adjusting to a new...

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