Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours)
at James Cook University, Queensland.
A five-year veterinary degree at Townsville focused on tropical and rural practice. Prerequisites are English, Mathematical Methods and Chemistry (Units 3 and 4, C); Biology is recommended, and applicants submit a JCU application form. The 2025 rank is for the previous course code.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the JCU Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 81.90 | qtac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through QTAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
Students learn to support animal health and welfare, diagnose disease and manage treatment across companion animals, farm animals, aquatic species and native fauna, with particular depth in tropical animal production. Clinical training sites include Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and other regional centres. Students must show Q fever immunity in their first teaching period and hold current first aid and CPR certificates.
Career outcomes
- Graduates are registered veterinarians, with a strong tropical, rural and wildlife focus across northern Australia and the wider Indo-Pacific.
- First-year jobs typically include rural mixed practice across north Queensland, livestock-focused practice in the cattle industry, wildlife veterinary roles and Queensland Biosecurity positions.
- Many alumni continue into specialty practice, wildlife veterinary medicine, livestock production research or work with international animal-health agencies.
Professional accreditation
- Australasian Veterinary Boards Council accredited
Typical first jobs
- Veterinarian in rural mixed practice across north Queensland
- Livestock and cattle-industry veterinarian
- Wildlife or conservation veterinarian
- Small-animal practice veterinarian
- Queensland Biosecurity or government veterinary officer
- Veterinarian with remote and Indigenous community animal-health services
Graduate starting salary
$58,000 - $68,000 per year
Source: qilt.edu.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
Graduates can register as veterinarians and work in rural and mixed practice, companion-animal practice, biosecurity and government, especially across northern Australia.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students with strong biology and chemistry foundations
- Those genuinely comfortable working with livestock and wildlife
- People willing to do extended rural and farm placements
- Resilient students who can handle animal injury, euthanasia and emotional clients
- Those drawn to tropical, rural and wildlife veterinary practice
It is probably not for you if
- Students drawn to vet science only for small-animal city practice
- Those uncomfortable working with cattle, horses or wildlife
- Anyone unwilling to do unpaid rural placements over breaks
- Students who want a desk-based or research-only career
Related courses at JCU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the James Cook University website and on QTAC before applying.