Are you a veterinary nurse, animal attendant, kennel hand or animal care assistant working in a veterinary practice?
The Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 sets minimum employment conditions for many employees in veterinary practices. But there’s more to the Veterinary Award than the minimum hourly rate.
Here are 10 things you may not know about veterinary nurse and animal attendant pay and conditions.
1. You get paid rest breaks
Employees covered by the Award, other than veterinary surgeons, are entitled to a 10-minute paid rest break after four hours of work, where practicable.
So if you’re working a standard 7.6-hour day, you will generally have two paid 10-minute rest breaks.
These are separate from your unpaid meal break.
2. Your meal break has specific rules
The Award provides for an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes between the fourth and fifth hour of work.
There are provisions allowing the timing of the meal break to be changed by agreement in certain circumstances, including emergencies.
3. Sunday and public holiday work can mean substantially higher pay
For full-time and part-time employees who aren’t shiftworkers, ordinary hours worked on a Sunday are paid at 200% of the minimum hourly rate, while public holiday work is paid at 250%.
Saturday work after 1 pm also attracts penalty rates.
Different rates apply to casual employees and shiftworkers.
4. An early start or late finish can attract a shiftwork penalty
If you’re classified as a shiftworker, the Award provides additional rates for certain shifts.
This includes shifts starting at or before 6.30 am and shifts finishing after 8 pm.
There is also a higher penalty where the majority of the shift falls between midnight and 8 am.
5. Overtime and weekend penalty rates aren’t the same thing
Working on a Sunday doesn’t automatically mean you’re working overtime.
The Award has separate rules for ordinary weekend work, shiftwork and overtime.
For full-time and part-time employees, overtime is generally paid at 150% for the first three hours Monday to Saturday and 200% after that. Sunday overtime is paid at 200%, subject to the Award’s conditions.
6. Unexpected overtime can come with a meal allowance
If you’re required to work more than 1.5 hours of overtime, the Award provides a meal allowance in certain circumstances.
There are exceptions, including where you were notified about the overtime beforehand or your employer provides a substantial meal.
7. A broken shift can attract an allowance
If you’re required to work your ordinary hours in more than one shift, the Award provides a broken-shift allowance, subject to its conditions.
This could be relevant if, for example, you’re rostered for a morning shift and then required to return later in the day.
8. Higher duties can mean higher pay
If you’re required to perform duties that attract a higher classification rate for a day or shift, the Award provides for payment at the higher rate for that work.
Your job title isn’t necessarily the whole story — the classification structure is based on the skills and responsibilities required for the work.
9. Your regular roster can’t necessarily just be changed without consultation
If an employer proposes to change your regular roster or ordinary hours, the Award contains consultation requirements for employees whose hours aren’t irregular, sporadic or unpredictable.
The employer must provide information about the proposed change and invite affected employees to give their views about its impact, including any impact on family or caring responsibilities.
The employer must consider the views raised.
10. You have a right to disconnect
The Award includes a right to disconnect.
In general, employees may refuse to monitor, read or respond to work-related contact outside their working hours unless refusing would be unreasonable.
There are circumstances that must be considered, so this doesn’t mean every after-hours message can simply be ignored.
What about kennel hands?
If you work as a kennel hand or animal attendant in a veterinary practice, the Award may apply to you.
However, private boarding kennels are not covered by this particular Award, so don’t assume the Veterinary Award applies to every kennel hand job in Australia.
What should you look at when comparing veterinary jobs?
The advertised hourly rate is only part of the picture.
It can also be worth asking about:
- your Award classification
- ordinary hours
- weekend and public holiday work
- overtime
- shiftwork
- breaks
- split shifts
- roster changes
- allowances
- whether the position is covered by the Veterinary Award
Information checked against the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 (MA000118), incorporating amendments through 1 July 2026.
Disclaimer: Vets Unlimited provides general information only and is not a legal or employment advice service. Employment conditions can vary depending on the relevant award, contract and individual circumstances. Laws and awards can change, so always check the current information with Fair Work Ombudsman or seek independent professional advice.
Important: The Award allows certain terms to be varied by agreement in specific circumstances, including through an Individual Flexibility Arrangement (IFA). An IFA must meet particular requirements, including that the employee is better off overall. A salary or other benefits offered under a contract may also affect how particular Award entitlements apply in some circumstances. The details matter, so don’t assume that a higher salary or another benefit automatically replaces an Award entitlement. Not sure if you’re better off overall? Check out this article.