Australian Veterinary Association

24/08/2026

Did you know? The August issue of Australian Veterinary Journal is lots about small animals 🐾

August's issue features a lead article documenting 372 cases of pufferfish exposure in Australian dogs across South-east Queensland and Perth — a must-read for anyone in small animal practice.

Read this and more in the latest issue 👉 https://bit.ly/46aAcIZ

📝 AVA members can test their knowledge with 30 quiz questions and earn 3 Vet Ed points via My Learning 👉 https://bit.ly/4wyAG6t

19/08/2026

🐾 AGWSDV Conference 2026 – Registrations Open!

This year the Australian Greyhound, Working and Sporting Dog Veterinarians (AGWSDV) will come together to present an exciting scientific program and trade fair to be held in Melbourne, Victoria.

Whether you work with greyhounds, working dogs or sporting dogs, this is a valuable opportunity for clinical learning, networking and CPD.

📅 21–22 October | 📍 Mantra Melbourne Airport

🔗 Get your tickets: https://bit.ly/4gh19PX

This year the Australian Greyhound Working and Sporting Dog Veterinarians will come together tnd trade fair to be held in Melbourne, Victoria. The event will be held on Wednesday 21 […]

19/08/2026

🐾 ACAHF is looking for new Board Directors!

Help shape the future of companion animal health in Australia. The Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation (ACAHF) is seeking 1 Non-Veterinarian Director and 1 Veterinarian Director for honorary Board roles.

📅 Applications close 26 August 2026

🌐 Visit https://bit.ly/4gnfPNx for more information or contact Garth McGilvray directly on 0411 563 360

If you're passionate about companion animal health and want to help shape its future, we encourage you to apply!

18/08/2026

The 51st Australian Small Animal Veterinarians (ASAV) Annual Conference, together with the Veterinary Business Group (VBG), has kicked off in Sunshine Coast, Queensland — and we are pleased to be meeting members and event supporters as we bring clinical excellence and business insight together under this year's theme, "The Joys of General Practice." 🐾

Pictured here: 📍 Dr Richard Goldstein, Zoetis Chief Medical Officer 📍 Dr Geeta Saini, AVA Director 📍 Melissa King, AVA CEO

Over the next four days, more than 400 veterinary professionals will come together for a program spanning clinical care, practice management, and leadership.

Looking forward to the rest of the conference and the conversations still to come!

13/08/2026

What an incredible week at the 46th Bain Fallon Memorial Lectures!

Held from 19-23 July in Melbourne alongside ANZCVS, Bain Fallon 2026 brought together more than 530 veterinary professionals for a sold-out Industry Trade Exhibition, with 260 veterinary delegates and 39 veterinary nurses in attendance.

From world-class presentations by international keynote speakers Dr Rachel Murray, Dr Emmanuelle van Erk-Westergren, Dr Travis Tull and Dr Francios-Rene Bertin, to the highly anticipated return of the Racing Roundtable, the week was packed with learning, networking and collaboration.

Thank you to all our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates for making this year's event such a success.

Next stop: Bain Fallon 2027 at Rydges Hunter Valley, 18-22 July!

13/08/2026

There’s still time to register for tonight’s free HPAI webinar!

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) presents evolving challenges for veterinarians, veterinary teams and animal health professionals.

Join the AVPH Webinar| Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Practical considerations for veterinary practices to hear from four experts covering key considerations for birds and cats in veterinary practice, wildlife health and infection prevention and control in veterinary workplaces.
Each speaker will deliver a focused 15-minute presentation, followed by a Q&A.

This webinar is free for both AVA members and non-members. To find out more and to register for this evening’s event, please visit: https://www.ava.com.au/event/avph-webinar-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-practical-considerations-for-veterinary-practices

03/08/2026

The AVA President Dr Diana Barker appeared on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News Breakfast program to speak to the unfolding HPAI bird flu event in Australia and what this means for our pets and Australian wildlife to ensure the public are informed and ready to respond in partnership with the nation's courageous veterinarians.

31/07/2026

The AVA is on the lookout for more AVA members to join the AVA Graduate Mentoring Program.

Mentors, like Dr Martin Dolinschek, support recent graduates transition to practice. With the next cohort of mentee applications closing this week, please consider signing up to be a mentor today.

Dr Martin Dolinschek and the AVA’s Executive Officer for Wellbeing Dr Rebecca Faris at the Bain Fallon 2026 EVA stand.

Learn more: https://www.ava.com.au/learning-hub/mentoring-program

30/07/2026

ANZCVS Science Week brought our profession together through an outstanding scientific program, including the dedicated THRIVE wellbeing stream, supporting the health and sustainability of the veterinary profession.

To continue the conversation, explore the Australian Veterinary Journal's online wellbeing collection, "It takes a village – a collective approach to a thriving veterinary profession", highlighting the importance of collective action to help veterinary teams thrive: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/avj.70116

Our first photo features the editorial team behind the virtual collection: Dr Alena Gadoury, Dr Anne Quain and Dr Rebecca Faris.

29/07/2026

As Dr Dinesh Palipana shared at the recent Bain Fallon 2026 Memorial Lectures Advocacy Plenary, ‘it’s a privilege to be tired from the work we once begged to do’ and whilst we may feel tired at times, we are grateful to be leading mental health advocacy for a thriving veterinary profession.

The AVA wellbeing survey is live, and we are keen to hear from all members of the profession and acknowledge the importance of diversity and inclusion to help us advocate for everyone’s needs. Please take part in the survey by 31 July.

Outgoing Thrive Advisory Committee (TAC) chair (and AVA President) Diana Barker, Executive Officer for Wellbeing Dr Rebecca Faris and incoming TAC member Dr Catherine Chicken with DE&I advocate and keynote speaker Dr Dinesh Palipana after the EVA Bain Fallon Advocacy Plenary in collaboration with Thrive and kindly sponsored by VetPrac.

Take the survey today: https://www.ava.com.au/learning-hub/thrive/thrive-veterinary-community-wellbeing-survey