One of Australia’s most demanding and under-recognised professions was placed firmly in the spotlight earlier this month, with Dr Alison Taylor of Kippax Vet Clinic named Woman Veterinarian of the Year at the 2026 GapOnly® Veterinary Awards (GOVAs).
Held on Friday 6 March at Doltone House on the eve of International Women’s Day, the awards celebrated the extraordinary contribution of veterinary professionals working at the frontline of animal care—a workforce that is now predominantly female.
According to the Australian Veterinary Association, women now make up around 70 per cent of the veterinary workforce.
Many balance demanding clinical workloads with after-hours care, while facing ongoing workforce shortages across the country.
These pressures are being compounded by an ongoing national shortage of veterinarians. With fewer practitioners available, veterinary teams are working longer and less predictable hours. They are covering more after-hours and emergency care, while managing increasing client demand. This strain is particularly acute for women, who make up most of the profession and are also more likely to be juggling caring responsibilities alongside clinical work.
“Veterinarians care deeply not just for animals, but for the people who love them, and that responsibility often comes with long hours and a significant emotional load,” GapOnly® general manager Dr Maria Neale said.
“Supporting a predominantly female workforce means acknowledging these pressures and improving access to care through practical solutions such as pet insurance, telehealth and innovative service models, so veterinarians are not carrying the full weight of the system alone.”
The 2026 GOVAs celebrated excellence across six categories. Winners included veterinarians, mentors, educators, welfare champions and frontline team members delivering outstanding care across Australia.
For more information about the GapOnly® Veterinary Awards including the winners, visit gaponly.com.au/gova.
