EQUINE BREEDING CENTRE AND VETERINARY SERVICES INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
We are a 100% Equine Only Veterinary Service
As of 2002 Equivet (Australia) P/L can only accept students that are officially studying to become Veterinary Surgeons
Due to the high demand for International work experience at our service we are only able to accommodate students currently enrolled in Veterinary Science
Application Process
Applicants should forward an expression of interest to our email address, which is found under 'Contact Us' on this web site.
All students will be required to produce documentary evidence of their enrolment in a Veterinary Science degree and show cause that International work experience is required in order to complete the degree.
All students will be strictly supervised by Senior Veterinarians at Equivet (Australia) P/L and will be required to work in accordance with the daily routines undertaken by the Veterinarians.
All applications will be considered, however priority will be given to Australian Veterinary students throughout the year.
Points to Consider
Only one International student can be accepted at any one time
Students are required to have a travel visa whilst in Australia. Equivet (Australia) P/L will not participate in work place/sponsor visa applications for students. (Many students have visited and participated in work experience in this manner - without complications.)
All students are required to be fully insured by the University at which they study and a work experience agreement form must be received from the University before any applications can be considered.
All students must have an International drivers license before entering Australia.
It is recommended that students get an International student card before entering Australia so as to benefit from student discount programmes whilst travelling.
Students that wish to participate in travel whilst in Australia, should plan to do so before or after their work experience begins.
Students will be permitted a maximum of six weeks work experience unless a longer period is required by your University.
Students will not be provided with a vehicle for personal use.
Students will need to be very self sufficient and considerate of time demands placed on Veterinarians, therefore organising the purchasing of food/personal effects when convenient as time is often limited!
Equivet (Australia) P/L operates 7 days a week and students will often be required to participate in weekend duties. Students are welcome to take a day off at their discretion however this should be arranged with the supervising Veterinarian in advance.
Cost Students should consider all costs before approaching Equivet (Australia) P/L for work experience.
For example - costs will include:
- Passport
- Insurance
- Travel
- Food
- Entertainment
- Accommodation
- Email and Phone
Accommodation at The Equine Breeding Centre
Where available, accommodation will be available on site at the Equine Breeding Centre. This is subject to availability.
For students who will stay at the Equine Breeding Centre the following points should be noted:
Cost is $10 AUD per night and is to be paid in full on arrival at the Equine Breeding Centre to the Office Department.
Students will be required to purchase their own personal goods and food at their own expense.
Students will be sharing facilities with other senior Veterinarians at the Equine Breeding Centre and will be required to be neat and tidy at all times and assist in general housekeeping duties to ensure a pleasant living environment for all involved. Translation of this is to "clean up after yourself at all times!!!"
You will do your own washing, ironing and cooking. Main meals will often be cooked together, sharing duties on cooking and cleaning up.
Students will often be required to assist with the feeding of horses and monitoring of patients in intensive or general care at the Equine Breeding Centre.
Facilities Available include:
washing machine; iron; fully operational kitchen; shared bathroom and toilet. The room available is a twin room with two single beds. Linen is provided.
Phone usage is available however it is essential that students purchase an international phone card from which to call home as Equivet (Australia) P/L will not be held responsible for international call charges.
Email and internet access is available daily at the Equine Breeding Centre and may be accessed outside of normal business hours only. Computers are located in the main office which adjoins the living accommodation. All users of computers must use virus protection programmes when using email and internet. The normal computer settings are to remain unchanged at all times.
Accommodation not at The Equine Breeding Centre
If you have friends or relatives you are able to stay with during your stay you will need to arrange transportation to the Centre everyday and collection most evenings if you do not have your own vehicle to use. Accommodation is available also at the local Hotel or further away in Pittsworth or Toowoomba. Transportation will be the only difficulty in arranging for accommodation away from the Centre.
Travel Plans:
If you are accepted as a work experience student you may like to travel before or after your work experience time.
"Southbrook" is located approximately 30 minutes from the city of Toowoomba (population approximately 90,000). Toowoomba has a major transit Centre and many travel agents from which plans can be made.
Gold Coast is two hours from Toowoomba Sunshine Coast is two hours from Toowoomba Brisbane is one and a half hours from Toowoomba and home to both domestic and international airports.
Southbrook is situated on the Darling Downs which is a beautiful area of South East Queensland. You will have the advantage of seeing many different places while travelling with the vets to onsite calls (albeit from a car window!)
The following sites are often very helpful when arranging travel and holidays: Check out these sites: www.yha.com.au (Youth Hostels of Australia - Backpackers) www.mccafferties.com.au (Australia wide bus service based in Toowoomba)
Remember you will be expected to arrange all of your own travel, accommodation and hire car requirements.
Expectations:
Yes, we have lots of rules and regulations, but we find things work well and most students are well informed before they arrive.
The Veterinarians and Staff at Equivet (Australia) P/L are professional and easy to get along with. You will find that if you are willing to participate in tasks and express a keen desire to improve your knowledge of Veterinary Science, you will have a wonderful learning opportunity.
Our Veterinarians are patient and willing to teach students both theoretical and technical aspects of Veterinary Science. You will be expected to work long hours and in often very hot conditions so come prepared! Breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner will often be 'on the run' so you will need to be a person with good stamina and energy to keep up with them!
We do operate an Equine Breeding Centre where a lot of Artificial Inseminations and Embryo Transfers occur along with minor surgery or general Equine Medicine. However at least 80% of our workload involves travelling to horse studs and visiting clients 'on farm' so travelling every day is to be expected. Our Veterinarians service areas within a 200 kilometre radius from the Equine Breeding Centre so often a lot of time is spent on the road.
Work Clothing:
You are required by Australian Work Place Health and Safety Law to wear fully covered leather work boots whilst working and at any time when you are in contact with horses.
We also advise that students bring cotton shirts with collars and a full brimmed hat to protect from the sun. You should wear a heavy duty sunscreen and also be prepared for insect bites in the summertime! Clothing will need to be older as you will be working out in the field - rain, hail or sunshine! Students are welcome to wear 'overalls' or 'coveralls' while working if preferred.