Background

To address shortages of veterinarians working with production animals, the Government has committed to a Voluntary Bonding Scheme for Veterinarians. The Scheme provides a taxable payment of $11,000 for every year, up to five years, that vets work in an eligible veterinarian practice. Payment for the first three years will be made as a lump sum at the end of three years, with an annual payment for the fourth and fifth year.

Who is eligible?

The Scheme is available to veterinary science graduates who have completed their qualification within 12 months of applying for the Scheme.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident;
• have a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Massey University;
• be registered to practice in New Zealand and hold a current practicing certificate; and
• have a permanent, full-time position, in an eligible practice, that is predominantly focused on production animals.

If you have been offered a role in an eligible practice you can still apply for the scheme whether or not you have started working.

What kinds of practices or places of work will be eligible?

The Scheme targets mixed practices and practices based on production animal veterinary medicine, or places of work which are servicing the needs of livestock industries.

An eligible practice is one that:

• has an overall production animal focus;
• is offering a graduate position that will be predominantly focused on production animals;
• can demonstrate good employer practices, including having systems in place to support a graduate’s personal career development; and  
• is at risk of having a workforce shortage, either already apparent or expected within two to three years.

If I meet the criteria and eligibility requirements, what am I entitled to?

You are entitled to a taxable payment of $11,000 for every year, up to five years, that you work in an eligible practice. Payment for the first three years will be made as a lump sum at the end of the three years, with an annual payment for the fourth and fifth year. If you have a Student Loan, these payments will be made directly to the IRD until the balance is paid off.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete an application pack to be accepted into the Scheme. This is available on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website. You will also need to get your practice principal or manager to attest to your eligibility for the Scheme. Applications can be either posted to Vet Bonding Scheme, MPI, PO Box 2526, Wellington, 6140 or emailed to vet.scheme@mpi.govt.nz. When applying, please ensure that ALL required information is required. This includes all the information required from the practice principal/manager.

When do applications begin?

Applications for the 2013 intake open on 11th February 2013. All applications received from this date up to and including 22nd February will be assessed together on Monday 25th February.

How does the cap work?

For this year commencing on 22nd February there will be 30 places available for graduates to enter the Scheme.

If the total number of applicants received by the end of 22nd February exceeds the cap, a ballot of all applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be held.

What happens if I change practice?

If you change practice, then prior to the move, you will be required to make an application using the Transfer of Practice Application form. If your new workplace is also eligible under the Scheme, you can continue to receive the payments you are entitled to. You will need to get the practice principal or manager at your new workplace to attest to your eligibility for the Scheme.

If you change workplace and your new workplace is not eligible, you will no longer qualify for payments under the Scheme.

Transfer of Practice Application form  

How can I find out more?

Information and application packs are available here, or by emailing vet.scheme@mpi.govt.nz