District Vet

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development; Broken Hill; On-site; AUD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AVA membership

District Veterinarians Conference paid

5 weeks annual leave

Job summary

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) seeks a District Vet to practise veterinary science at a system-wide level, safeguarding animal health, food safety and regional communities through prevention, surveillance, disease investigation, welfare support and emergency response.

Your work contributes to the strength and resilience of NSW livestock industries, identifying biosecurity threats and advising producers and land managers while coordinating with industry

Qualifications

• Experience in large animal medicine, welfare and husbandry.
• Sound knowledge of animal biosecurity and welfare risks.
• The ability to translate technical information into practical advice for producers and land managers.
• Strong judgement and integrity when working through complex animal health matters.
• Collaborative and organised approach with traceability and certification knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Safeguard animal health, food safety, livestock industries and regional communities through prevention, surveillance, disease investigation, welfare support and emergency response.
• Identify and respond to emerging biosecurity threats and provide evidence-based advice.
• Support compliance programs and coordinate response activities with stakeholders across industry and government.

Skills

Large animal medicine

Epidemiology

Biosecurity

Communication & collaboration

Clinical judgement

Education

Veterinary Science degree

Job description

• Ongoing Full Time
• Location -Preferred location Broken Hill or Hillston (other locations within Western LLS region will be considered)
• Salary up to $149,806pa + super (dependent on experience)
• 5 weeks annual leave as standard holidays
• Our work is visible and close to home. We see its impact in the places we live
• Annual AVA and Special Interest Groups membership and annual District Veterinary Conference attendance paid for

About The Role

As a District Vet with Local Land Services, you will practise veterinary science at a system-wide scale. You will help safeguard animal health, food safety, livestock industries and regional communities through prevention, surveillance, disease investigation, welfare support and emergency response.

Your work will contribute to the systems that keep NSW livestock industries strong and resilient. You will identify and respond to emerging biosecurity threats, provide evidence-based advice to producers and land managers, support compliance programs and help ensure risks are managed before they escape.

No two weeks feel the same. One day you may be on a property talking through animal health concerns with a producer, the next reviewing surveillance data, working through an investigation or coordinating a response with stakeholders across industry. You are trusted with autonomy, with the space to think, investigate deeply and apply your professional judgement where the answer is not always obvious. Over time, you build credibility as a trusted advisor, someone the community turns to when decisions matter. Through it all, you are backed by a connected District Vet network, with colleagues, laboratories, diagnostic services and biosecurity teams, giving you confidence as you plan the response.

Why Local Land Services

At LLS, a District Vet career can grow in more than one direction. You can build deep technical expertise, become a trusted regional adviser, contribute to statewide animal health and welfare programs, or move into leadership, policy, emergency response or coordination.

This is a pathway for vets who want to keep practising veterinary science while expanding what their expertise can influence. Your career is shaped through experience, credibility and the trust you build with producers, colleagues, industry and government partners. As your judgement strengthens, so do the opportunities around you. You can deepen your specialty, broaden your role across programs or regions, and build a career that continues to feel connected to animals, communities and the public value of veterinary science.

For more information about working at LLS please visit Work with Us.

The Region

Broken Hill (Western LLS) offers a great mix of services, culture, and outback living. With strong access to health, retail and education services for a remote location, it's well-supported and has a thriving arts scene, galleries, historic buildings, and events that keep the town social and active. Locals enjoy a friendly community feel, plenty of sport and recreation options, and unique places to explore like the Living Desert Sculptures, national parks and heritage mining sites. The landscape is dramatic and diverse from red desert to rugged ranges, making it ideal for those who enjoy space, sunsets and adventure.

If your partner is an essential worker, then we have a free service to support you and your family in your move! To find out more visit The Welcome Experience | NSW Government.

About You

To be successful in this, you will bring:

• Experience in large animal medicine, welfare and husbandry, with the ability to apply epidemiological principles to detect, investigate and respond to notifiable herd and flock diseases.
• Sound knowledge of animal biosecurity and welfare risks, including how these affect producers, livestock industries, regional communities and the broader environment.
• The ability to work confidently with livestock owners, private veterinarians, industry stakeholders and government partners, translating technical information into clear, practical advice that supports improved on-farm practice.
• Strong judgement and integrity when working through complex animal health and welfare matters, including the ability to support compliance, safe stock movement and coordinated response activity when required.
• A collaborative and organised approach, with the ability to maintain accurate disease information, support traceability and certification requirements, and contribute to state and national animal biosecurity and welfare outcomes.
• A practical, resilient and community-minded approach to working in regional environments, with the ability to build trust, communicate clearly and respond effectively when priorities shift.

Essential Requirements

• A degree in Veterinary Science registrable in NSW, are (or can be) registered with the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board, and
• A current NSW Driver Licence, with the capacity and willingness to travel throughout the region as required.

What We Offer

• Professional development that supports your registration and growth, including AVA membership, CPD support, supported study leave and the annual District Veterinarians Conference.
• Opportunities to deepen your technical expertise across areas such as surveillance, pathology, epidemiology, production animal health, welfare, disease investigation and emergency response.
• A connected statewide District Vet network, backed by a long history of regional veterinary presence, shared expertise and peer support across NSW.
• Access to diagnostic and technical support, including laboratory services, subject matter experts, policy authorities and systems that support surveillance, investigation and coordinated response.
• Structured career pathways that can grow with your interests, including opportunities to move across regions, programs, agencies and departments as your expertise and credibility develop.
• Flexible working arrangements where the role allows, recognising that the work can be steady when it can be and responsive when it needs to be. This may include flexible hours, working from home, working from different locations, part-time, or job share arrangements.
• Wellbeing supports to help sustain you over time, including access to wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, EAP and telehealth services.

Applications close: Thursday 12th November 2026 @ 11.55pm

Recruitment Adjustments

If you require adjustments in completing your application, interviewing, completing any pre- employment testing, require information in an alternative format, or otherwise participating in the recruitment process, please let us know so we can assist. Send an email to [e-mail] or contact the hiring manager listed for a confidential discussion.

About Us: Together, we are DPIRD

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) protects, supports and develops primary industries and regional economies.

Collectively we support strong and sustainable agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries, and regional economies. We actively manage our natural assets: our lands and soils, minerals, waterways and oceans, vegetation and forests.

The department brings together:

• Local Land Services
• NSW Resources
• Agriculture and Biosecurity
• Fisheries and Forestry
• Regional Development and Delivery.

Diversity and inclusion are core DPIRD values. Everyone has the right to contribute and participate to their full potential. We are committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive culture that is respectful, welcoming and flexible – a workplace where our people feel supported, valued, and part of our collective success.

Learn more about the benefits of joining our diverse and talented DPIRD team.

For further information about the role please contact Alex Tyson via email at [e-mail] or on 0429 777 446. You can also view the role description.

Additional Information

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same role or role type that may become available for filling over the next eighteen months.

The successful applicant in this role may be required to undergo a police check, health assessment and/or other assessments as required.