Applications are now open for the Animal Referral and Emergency Centre 2026 Graduate Development Program – a 12-month, part-time role, designed especially for new and recent graduates. This is a fully supported position where you’ll be encouraged to grow, build confidence, and develop the clinical skills you need to become a capable and compassionate ECC veterinarian. You’ll be learning alongside experienced mentors in a collaborative, structured environment that’s built to help you thrive.
The Animal Referral and Emergency Centre (AREC) was established in 2004 and remains proudly privately owned and operated. Our emergency hospital is led by respected emergency veterinarian Dr David Tabrett, who continues to work hands-on within the business today.
We’re a family-oriented, non-corporate team with ASAV “Hospital of Excellence” accreditation, and more than 110 dedicated employees working together in a supportive, collaborative environment.
Our team members come from a wide range of backgrounds, but we’re united by a shared commitment to our core values: Respect, Diligence, Professionalism, Excellence, Empathy and Integrity.
At AREC, we place a strong focus on professional development, mental health and work–life balance. Because we believe compassionate care starts with a supported team.
Our mission is to offer peace of mind to pet owners and local vet clinics across Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the wider Hunter region by being here when it matters most, for after-hours care, emergencies and referrals.
At AREC we have a growth mindset, and this is reflected in our structured graduate development program.
You will be supported by a dedicated team leader who ensures targeted growth throughout the graduate program. Our team leader support model allows us to provide one-on-one clinical and personal support.
The AREC Veterinary Graduate Development Program includes:
In addition to our structured graduate program, we create tailored learning and development plans based on your individual goals. You’ll work alongside our team of senior ECC veterinarians, managing a broad mix of primary consultations, hospital cases, procedures and surgeries. Located in the Hunter region, our hospital sees a diverse and high caseload of emergency presentations—giving you excellent hands-on exposure and a strong foundation in emergency and critical care.
To support both your clinical growth and your work-life balance, we build dedicated study and learning days into your schedule. As a valued member of our team, we recognise that your career development should go hand-in-hand with your personal wellbeing.
Applications for the 2026 intake are now open. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to advance your career with one of the leading ECC graduate development programs in the country.
If you are keen to be a part of a highly compassionate and hard-working team of healthcare professionals, we would love to hear from you. Please apply by completing the CV Submission form below.
AREC fosters diversity and inclusion within the organisation to create an environment where all individuals are valued and included.
Note: All short-listed applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment check to verify their identity, qualifications and experience in the form of a reference check.
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