NZVNA Wage Guidelines

Wage Guidelines FAQs

Wage Guidelines FAQ

We have developed a list of FAQ's to support our wage guidelines. 

1. How and why were these wage guidelines developed?
The NZVNA is the representative body for veterinary nurses and allied veterinary professionals in New Zealand. It is our role to advocate for veterinary nurses on a wide range of topics and advocating for appropriate remuneration is one of those. Historically, veterinary nurses have been poorly paid, and we hope the narrative around current wage structures and our newest wage guidelines will help to change that. Our wage guidelines are developed using a range of information, including the current average wage for veterinary nurses in New Zealand (taking into consideration qualification and years of employment), the minimum and living wage for New Zealand, and CPI.

2. What is an RVN and RVNS?
The Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council of New Zealand (AVPRC) is a voluntary regulatory body overseeing the registration of veterinary nurses. For information on the roles and responsibilities, scope of practice and graduate standards, please see the AVPRC website here: https://www.avprc.org.nz/

3. Where do veterinarians fit in this? Were they surveyed as part of this process?
The NZVNA is a representative organisation for veterinary nurses. We do not include veterinarians in our surveys. For information regarding veterinarian wage/salary information, please contact the New Zealand Veterinary Association.

4. How does this compare to other related professions or professions with a similar level of qualification?
We don't have this data however the average salary in NZ for a range of professions can be found here: https://www.seek.co.nz/career-advice/article/a-guide-to-salaries-in-your-industry 

5. What about other employee benefits?
Whilst we believe that additional benefits such as a uniform (or compensation if staff are purchasing their own), NZVNA membership, a CPD allowance etc, should be included in an employee's overall remuneration package, this doesn't compensate for a poor base wage. Our guidelines are based on the minimum actual hourly rate we feel allied veterinary professionals should be getting. Other employee benefits should be on top of that base wage. 

6. Where do VNAs fit in this?
The NZVNA recommend VNAs and other paraprofessionals be paid at least a living wage as a starting point, increasing with experience from there. Currently, the living wage is $23.65 (March 2023: https://www.livingwage.org.nz/). 

Employment Opportunities

If you have a vacancy you would like to advertise with us please phone 0800 868 773 or email your advert in Word document format, together with a copy of your logo, to: membership@nzvna.org.nz Please note, fees do apply.

If you are based overseas and want to work in New Zealand, please visit Immigration NZ for information.

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Wildlife Technician | Massey University

Closes: 23rd April 2024
College of Sciences 
Palmerston North 

Vet Nurses and Technicians - this role is for you! 

The School of Veterinary Science - Wildbase, Massey University is seeking applications for the role of full-time Wildlife Techn…
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Full-time Qualified Veterinary Nurse | Pakuranga Vet Clinic & Cattery

Closes: 18th April 2024
SKILLED AND ENTHUSIASTIC FULL-TIME QUALIFIED VETERINARY NURSE WANTED

Exciting opportunity to join a veterinary clinic away from the corporate structure. We have a couple of part time nurses expanding their families so w…
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Inventory Control Coordinator | Waikato Equine Veterinary Clinic

Closes: 13th April 2024
Inventory Control Coordinator -  Waikato Equine Veterinary Clinic

Are you a Veterinary Nurse with a good knowledge of the equine veterinary industry. Are you a stickler for accuracy and order? If so, then we have an ama…
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Senior Vet Nurse | Balmoral Veterinary Care

Closes: 8th April 2024
Senior Vet Nurse
Vets For Pets

Auckland CBD, Auckland
Veterinary Services & Animal Welfare (Farming, Animals & Conservation)
Full time

We are a kiwi owned and operated company of 3 clinics located across central Auckla…
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Vet Nurse - ECC | Massey University

Closes: 7th April 2024
College of Sciences
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Are you a Vet Nurse or Vet Tech ready to advance your skills and career?

Join us to work with a diverse team, providing top-quality care in our fast-paced Emergency and Critical Ca…
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Vet Nurse - referral Services | Massey University

Closes: 6th April 2024
Are complex clinical cases your passion? Join New Zealand's sole Veterinary School in our Companion Animal referral services department. This full-time, permanent role offers a 37.5-hour workweek, Monday to Friday, with …
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Veterinary Nurse Position | Kaiapoi Vet Clinic

Closes: 1st April 2024
Veterinary Nurse Position – 33 Hours Per Week

About us:
Kaiapoi Veterinary Clinic is dedicated to offering excellence in patient care, client service and staff wellbeing. We work hard on maintaining a close, friendly te…

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering with NZVNA

NZVNA Executive Committee

Nominations for the NZVNA Executive Committee are opened annually when seats are vacant on our committee. We encourage all members that are interested in advancing our community to apply.

The New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association Executive Committee is made up of a group of dedicated individuals who are passionate about veterinary nursing.  The Committee consists of Officers and general committee members who are elected to their positions at AGM.  Executive Committee members must be full members of NZVNA.
Being an Executive Committee member requires commitment.   The Executive meets at least four times a year, sometimes over a two-day weekend period, with monthly Skype meetings.  Attendance at Conference is also expected.  The positions are all honorary.   At Executive meetings any item of relevance to vet nurses is discussed in-depth, together with an update of the Business Plan.
Executive members are allocated portfolios and different portfolios require different time commitments.   New Executive members are helped and supported by longer-standing council members.   Executive members are also expected to be available continually for email discussions, as this is how a large part of the work is carried out.  Portfolio reports are required to be presented at every meeting
The importance of the NZVNA Executive Committee and the Association itself cannot be overstated.   Without the Association, and in particular the Executive Committee, veterinary nurses in New Zealand would not have a collective and effective voice.

NZVNA Sub-Committees and Projects

To help the NZVNA best serve its members, we need your help! If you can't commit to being a full executive committee member, but still want to help out with an area of the organisation that interests you, join a sub-committee or assist with projects that the Executive Committee require additional help with. Please email president@nzvna.org.nz to express your interest.

Volunteer Organizations

For those wanting to become involved in conservation or animal care projects we have put together a list of volunteer Organisations for your information.
 

Volunteer Organisations:

  • World Vets is a non-government organization (NGO) providing veterinary aid around the globe in collaboration with animal advocacy groups, foreign governments, US and foreign military groups and veterinary professionals abroad. Our work spans 34 countries and 6 continents and addresses not only veterinary issues, but also human health issues impacted by zoonotic diseases in developing countries. World Vets is a 501c3 non-profit organization - www.worldvets.org
  • South Pacific Animal Welfare's mission is to provide sustainable community based animal management programmes that benefit island communities animal welfare efforts long term. It is our goal to see on-island expertise in the various areas of animal welfare develop - we knowledge share and pass on our skills - http://www.spaw.org.nz
  • The Australian Orangutan Project (AOP) is a not-for-profit organisation, supporting orangutan conservation, rainforest protection and reintroduction of orphans in order to save the species from extinction. AOP is a non-partisan organisation that collaborates with several orangutan conservation projects, as well as providing habitat protection through its own Safeguard project - guard patrols that deter wildlife poaching, illegal logging and land clearing in Borneo and Sumatrawww.orangutan.org.au
  • Dog and Cat Rescue Samui, Thailand E-mail: info@samuidog.org, Website: www.samuidog.org, Facebook: Brigitte Gomm
  • www.animal-job.co.uk - whether you are a school leaver or you are a professional looking for a career change, we hope the  information on this website, compiled by professionals with over 30 years experience within the animal care sector, will help you achieve your goal. We have put all the information you will need in one place to assist you in finding a rewarding career working with animals. If you are unsure about which direction to take, explore our careers with animals sections.
  • The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is looking for dedicated and passionate volunteers for our busy wildlife centre. We are Malawi's only wildlife sanctuary and the first 'people and wildlife' centre in the world to work hand in hand with local communities to conserve wildlife, so it is a very unique opportunity for volunteers, and there are a number of projects that you can get involved in. Volunteer projects range from animal care assistant, vet assistant, rehabilitation and release assistant, education and community support, centre support, marketing and those interested in conservation or ecology - https://www.lilongwewildlife.org/
  • Lanta Animal Welfare, Sala Dan, Thailand - Helping Koh Lanta’s community & animals through:

Disclaimer:

The views and information expressed in any of the websites mentioned on this page do not necessarily represent those of the NZVNA, and the NZVNA does not endorse any services or organisations advertised. The NZVNA is not the source of the information provided on these websites and has not independently verified the truth of the information. It does not accept any legal responsibility for the truth or accuracy of the information contained therein. The NZVNA does not accept any liability whatsoever for these organisations or for any consequences which may result from the use of the information contained herein or advice given herein. The provision is intended to exclude the NZVNA and its staff from all liability whatsoever.