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Vet Fees In Australia Explained

Candiece Cyrus
Forbes Staff

Updated: Jan 17, 2024, 1:22pm

Johanna Leggatt
editor

Edited By

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Vet Fees In Australia Explained

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For the many pet owners in Australia, vet costs are a significant expense, and one that they must cover as there’s no Medicare for animals.

According to CHOICE, 69% of the Australian population owns a pet, which means the majority of the nation are facing soaring animal healthcare costs. Data from PetSure reveals that vet expenses have risen at a rate that exceeds the high inflation across the economy, with the cost for common pet ailments such as elbow conditions and arthritis having more than doubled year-on-year.

It’s not only inflationary pressures that are pushing costs up: developments in technology, diagnostic testing and medication, though welcomed by animal lovers, have all helped raise the cost of vet services.

Not only can these costs leave a sizeable dent in the pocket, they’re not consistent across practices, meaning that without shopping around you could end up paying out more than necessary. To help give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for your dog’s cruciate ligament treatment or for your cat’s routine vaccinations, we’ve looked at average vet costs, as well as prices at specific practices, for common procedures. We also list ways to lower your vet costs and payment methods to suit various financial situations.

Related: Best Pet Insurance Providers for Australians

How Much Does a Vet Check-Up Cost?

Check-up prices vary between practices, and you will likely be charged more for a sick pet, compared to a healthy animal. Local Search has found that pet owners can expect to pay an average of $70 to $100 for a check-up. If the vet recommends additional tests, this amount can rise.

CHOICE found that check-up costs tend to be the same for cats and dogs—the two most popular pets in Australia. The price will also reflect what the consultation involves, as this too can differ depending on which practice you attend. Generally, vets tend to check an animal’s breathing, heart rate, temperature, height and weight. A physical exam may be carried out to check its eyes, belly, limbs, joints and organs, for any abnormalities.The vet may also examine the animal’s teeth, and its coat for fleas and mites, and ask you about your pet’s behaviour. If it’s the animal’s first check-up, it may need to be microchipped and receive its first vaccinations.

Your animal could require a check-up once a year, or more regularly, depending on its health. Younger animals may also need to be seen by a vet more often. For example, puppies and kittens may need check-ups fortnightly until they reach adult size.

What Are Common Costs for Dogs?

Taking your animal for check-ups is only one part of keeping it in good health. Dog owners can expect to pay around $910 for each year of a dog’s life, in addition to initial costs in its first year, according to RSPCA NSW. Specific costs will depend on the animal’s age, size, breed, and health over the years. Both cats and smaller dogs can live up to 20 years of age. The RSPCA NSW lists the following essential costs. Note that all costs are approximate and the cost of desexing, initial vaccinations, microchipping, and worm and flea treatments do not apply when adopting animals from the RSPCA NSW, as these procedures are carried out before the animal is homed.

Upfront costs for the first year of a dog’s life:

  • Bed and/or kennel: $100-$200
  • Car restraint: $30 upwards
  • Collar, leash or harness: $40-$100
  • Council registration: $23-$201 (desexed or un-desexed)
  • Desexing: $200-$500 depending on age, gender and size
  • Flea and worming treatments, and heartworm prevention: $120-$300
  • Food and bowls: $800 each year depending on quality
  • Grooming: $70-$90 depending on breed, frequency and size
  • Microchipping: $60-$80
  • Name tag: $6-20
  • Puppy vaccinations: $170-$250
  • Puppy training: $170 depending on provider
  • Toys and treats: $50 upwards

Ongoing costs

Product or service and approximate cost:

  • Annual vaccinations and veterinary check: $90
  • Flea and worming treatments: $120
  • Food: approximately $600 upwards
  • Grooming: $70-$90 depending on breed and frequency
  • Toys and treats: $30 upwards

What Are Common Costs For Cats?

The annual cost to take care of a cat is approximately $880 following the costs in its first year, according to RSPCA NSW.

Upfront costs for the first year of a cat’s life:

  • Carry cage and bed: $50-$100
  • Collar and bell: $15-$50
  • Council registration: $23-$201 (desexed or un-desexed)
  • Desexing: approximately $115-$300 (male or female)
  • Flea and worming treatments: $100
  • Food and bowls: $370 upwards, depending on quality
  • Grooming: $50 upwards, depending on breed and frequency
  • Kitten vaccinations: $170-$200
  • Microchipping: $60
  • Name tag: $6-20
  • Purchase of cat: $0-$2,000
  • Scratching post: $20-$300
  • Toys and treats: $30 upwards
  • Tray and litter: $130-$180

Total for first year: $1,150-$3,570

Ongoing costs

Product or service and approximate cost:

  • Annual vaccinations and veterinary check: from $80
  • Flea and worming treatments: $100-$150
  • Food: approximately $370 upwards
  • Grooming: $50
  • Litter: $120 upwards
  • Toys and treats: $30 upwards

How Much Does Vet Treatment Cost?

If your pet suffers illness or gets injured, you may also need to pay for treatment. To give you an idea of how much this may cost, we list estimates of medical costs at three Australian vet practices below. What you would be specifically charged, would depend on your animal, and factors such as its age, breed and size.

Walkerville Vet in Adelaide


Surgery Prices
Grass seed removal $350
Small lump removal $700
Large lump removal $1,300
Cruciate (small dog) $1,900
Cruciate (large dog) $4,200
Patella (small dog) $1,300
Source: Walkerville Vet

A consultation fee may also be added if the animal is new to the practice. Walkerville Vet charges $84.90 for a standard consultation. (Repeat consultations are charged at $69.90).


Diagnostic Test Prices
Xrays & sedation (2 views) $500
Ultrasound & sedation $600
Ear infection cytology $48
Lump needle aspiration $35
Urine tests (in house) $35
Annual wellness blood test $159.25
Preanaesthetic test (>7y) $159.50
Preanaesthetic test (<7y) $118.80
Source: Walkerville Vet


Dentistry Prices
Dental Scale and Polish (Dog) $552.65 (for dogs up to 30kg with maximum Grade 2 disease)
Dental Scale and Polish (Cat) $552.65 includes 4 dental x-rays
Source: Walkerville Vet

Brisbane Pet Surgery

Brisbane Pet Surgery charges from $79.50 for a consultation. Other costs include:


Orthopaedic Surgery
Medially luxating patella $1,850 – $2,300
Anterior cruciate ligament $2,750 – $3,800
Pelvic fractures $2,500 – $5,000
Limb fractures $2,500 – $4,000
Source: Brisbane Pet Surgery


Eye Surgery
Corneal ulcers $700 – $1,000
Prolapsed third eyelid gland $700 – $900
Entropion $1,400 – $1,600
Meibomian gland tumours $700 – $1,000
Source: Brisbane Pet Surgery


Caesarean
Day procedure $1,350 – $1,700
After hours $2,200 – $2,600
Source: Brisbane Pet Surgery


Cancer Treatments
Skin Masses $750 – $1,750
Splenic Tumours $2,000 – $2,800
Osteosarcoma $2,000 – $3,000
Anal gland adenocarcinomas $2,000 – $2,500
Mammary gland cancer $950 – $2,000
Ear & nose cancer in white cats $950 – $1,400
Source: Brisbane Pet Surgery


Soft Tissue Surgery
Soft palate resection $1,250 – $1,650
Source: Brisbane Pet Surgery


Abdomen
Gastrointestinal obstructionss $1,600 – $2,600
Oesophageal foreign bodies $1,600 – $2,100
Bladder stone removal $1,700 – $2,200
Source: Brisbane Pet Surgery


Dentistry Prices
Dental Grade 1-2 Scale & Polish $520 – $700
Dental scale & polish with minor to major extractions $850 – $1,750
Source: Brisbane Pet Surgery

The Wild Vet

Other costs to consider include those below, as charged by The Wild Vet in Sydney.


Dentistry Prices
Arthritis Injection From $46.50 + consult fee
Bandage Change From $62.79 + consult fee
Suture Removal Free
Postoperative Check (5 min) Free
Surcharge Saturday after 1pm $10
Surcharge Sunday & Public Holiday $20
Euthanasia (45 min) From $187.43
No Show Consultation Fee $135
Source: The Wild Vet

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Can I Lower My Vet Costs?

Vet bills are typically collected on the day your pet is discharged from the vet’s. Healthcare for illness or an accident can cost into the thousands of dollars, but there are ways to keep the costs as low as possible:

  • Visit a rural vet: CHOICE found that rural vets tend to be slightly cheaper than those in urban areas. A shadow shop of vets in New South Wales revealed the Sydney suburbs as the most expensive in terms of vet costs.
  • Multi-pet discount: Some vets may offer a discount on consultations, or free dental checks, if you take more than one pet with you at a time
  • Discuss budget with vet: Find out what your pet will routinely need from your vet so you can budget accordingly. Similarly, ask for a cost breakdown before your pet gets treatment. You can then check what may be absolutely necessary to carry out, and if any aspect of the treatment can be safely delayed. Also, ask your pet for generic medicines which are typically more budget-friendly.

How you choose to pay your vet bills can also potentially lower costs, as well as taking advantage of help offered by charities and local authorities.

What Can I Do If I Can’t Afford A Vet?

You can choose from a range of ways to pay for your vet bills, depending on what suits your financial situation:

  • Pet insurance: Choose the right policy, and you can pay an affordable amount in monthly or yearly premiums for cover. A comprehensive policy will pay out for accidents and illness as well as routine procedures, if the option is available, and you choose to add this form of cover to the policy. Some insurers offer a multi-pet discount if you take out cover for more than one pet with them.
  • GapOnly Pet Insurance: this type of insurance only requires you pay the difference between the vet’s charge and the claim benefit under the policy, rather than you needing to pay the whole vet bill upfront and then the insurer pay you back. You can choose a GapOnly ready pet insurance policy, and then claim for any eligible pet medical issue at one of the 1,100 participating clinics across Australia.
  • Pay annually for cover: Some insurers charge slightly less if you pay pet insurance yearly rather than monthly for a policy.
  • Payment plans: Your vet practice may offer the option to set up a payment plan to make covering the treatment easier and more affordable
  • Charities: A number of charities offer subsidised treatments for pets. This includes the RSPCA, Safe Pets Safe Families and Pet Medical Crisis in Victoria. Some local councils do the same.
  • BNPL/Vetpay: Depending on the practice, you may be able to use a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) service such as Afterpay, Openpay or Zip to pay medical bills in instalments. Do note that BNPL services aren’t regulated in the same way as other products. For example, they do not carry out credit checks to ensure you can afford repayments. Vetpay is another option at some practices, allowing you to pay for treatment in a similar way to using a credit card, but for vet-related costs only. Vetpay will conduct a background check to determine whether you can afford repayments. If you’re accepted, you will be expected to pay a 10% deposit to the vet and then the rest of the balance in fortnightly instalments, taken from your account. There’s a yearly fee of $49, a charge of $2.50 per fortnightly repayment and 18.4% to pay in interest, so it’s best to think carefully about whether this is the best option for you.
  • Put money aside: You may prefer to start saving money on a regular basis for your pet. You’ll have to make sure that you don’t dip into the money you set aside. Should your pet fall ill, you’ll be able to immediately use the funds to help get it back to good health.

If you’re looking for a vet, or have decided to take out pet insurance, shopping around is key. With vet prices soaring, calling around and comparing costs at a number of practices, will help locate the best deals.

Pet insurance can reduce what you pay in healthcare for your animal, but shopping around to get the cover you need for the best price can also save you from spending out unnecessarily. Make sure to check the policy premiums, against the level of cover on offer, excess— the set portion of any successful claim that you must pay and any annual and sub limits on cover. The product disclosure statement should provide all important information, including any exclusions on cover.

What Is The Cost Of A Prescription From A Vet?

Vets typically charge $10 to $15 to write a prescription according to Petscripts. A vet can only issue a prescription for an animal that’s under its care.

Owners can usually buy antibiotics for their animals at pet stores, pharmacies or online without requiring a prescription.

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Candiece Cyrus Forbes Staff

I have been writing for newspapers, magazines and online publications for over 10 years. My passion is providing, in a way that is easily accessible and digestible to all, the knowledge needed for readers to not only manage their finances, but financially flourish.