5 veterinary industry trends to prepare for in 2027

A practice manager preparing the 2027 plan could easily collect a long list of predictions about technology, clients and clinical work. The more useful task is to identify changes that are already visible, decide how they affect the operating model and choose what the practice will do next.

The five trends below will not affect every clinic equally. Rural mixed practices, suburban companion-animal clinics and specialist hospitals face different constraints. Owners should test each signal against their workforce, services, clients, systems and location.

1. Workforce planning will focus on sustainable capacity

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) reported in 2026 that the national veterinary workforce had experienced a ninth consecutive year of shortage, with severe pressure in regional, rural and remote areas.

For an individual practice, the lesson is broader than recruitment. Capacity also depends on retention, team design, supervision and how clinical time is used.

Build the 2027 roster from work the team can sustainably deliver. Review:

• Demand by service and time of day.

• Tasks that require a veterinarian.

• Work that can appropriately be supported by nurses or administration.

• Single-person dependencies and leave coverage.

• Services most vulnerable to an unfilled role.

Workplace culture is an operating issue as well as a people issue. Set manageable expectations, train leaders to respond to psychosocial risks, and create a reliable way for staff to raise workload or safety concerns.

A roster that works only when everyone absorbs regular overtime is not genuine capacity.

2. A large pet population will keep access and value in focus

According to Animal Medicines Australia’s Pets in Australia 2025 report, Australia has an estimated 31.6 million pets, with pet ownership in 73% of households.

That scale supports continuing demand for animal care, but it does not mean every service, appointment time or location will experience the same conditions.

Practices can prepare by making the service pathway clearer. Consider reviewing:

• How clients reach the right appointment.

• What information is provided before treatment.

• How estimates and treatment changes are explained.

• Which preventive-care messages are most useful to local clients.

• Demand and declined or deferred bookings by service.

Rather than relying on a general sense that the diary is busy, track demand at a service level to identify opportunities for improvement.

For 2027 planning, define the practice’s service promise and the limits of its capacity. Clear referral, emergency and after-hours arrangements help clients understand what the practice can provide while supporting consistent decisions across the team.

3. AI will move from experimentation to governance

AI-assisted transcription, administration, communication and workflow tools may offer practical benefits for veterinary practices. However, adoption should begin with a defined use case, not simply the availability of a new product.

Veterinary practices handle personal information and sensitive clinical context, meaning privacy, accuracy, security and human oversight should be considered before routine AI use.

Create an inventory of tools already being trialled or used. For each tool, record:

• Its intended purpose.

• What information is entered.

• Where the data is stored or transferred.

• Who reviews the output.

• Which uses are prohibited.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) advises organisations subject to the Privacy Act to take a cautious approach to AI involving personal information.

The Australian Government’s Guidance for AI Adoption also emphasises accountability, risk assessment and ongoing monitoring.

Choose one person responsible for AI governance and establish clear rules for the team. Generated notes, client messages or summaries should not automatically be treated as accurate simply because they appear polished.

Clinical and business responsibility remains with the practice.

The useful question for 2027 isn’t simply “Are we using AI?” It’s “Which problem are we solving, and how do we know the use is appropriate?”

4. Climate and extreme-weather readiness will become routine operations

Heat, storms, bushfires, smoke, floods and power disruptions can affect staff travel, animal transport, refrigeration, communications and access to veterinary premises.

The AVA’s climate change and animal health policy recognises the veterinary profession’s role in preparing for and responding to climate-related impacts, while also reducing its environmental footprint.

Review the practice’s business continuity plan before the highest-risk local season.

Key considerations include:

• Triggers for reduced services or temporary closure.

• Emergency contact arrangements for staff and clients.

• Backup communications and critical equipment.

• Procedures for animals already on site.

• Monitoring temperature-sensitive stock during power failures.

• Access to essential records and systems during disruptions.

Environmental improvement can also sit alongside operational resilience.

Practices might review waste management, energy consumption or procurement processes to identify practical improvements without compromising clinical care.

Give every initiative a baseline, responsible owner and review date so it becomes more than a statement of intent.

5. Biosecurity preparedness will stay close to everyday practice

Veterinarians play an important role in detecting and responding to emergency animal diseases.

Recent Australian attention to highly pathogenic avian influenza reinforces the value of current reporting pathways, suitable infection-control measures and staff awareness, even for practices that do not expect to manage a major outbreak.

The AVA provides resources on highly pathogenic avian influenza and biosecurity preparedness.

Use the 2027 planning cycle to review the diseases and exposure routes most relevant to your practice.

Consider the following areas:

• Isolation and cleaning procedures.

• Personal protective equipment.

• Waste handling and infection prevention.

• Staff training and client instructions.

• Reporting pathways for suspected notifiable diseases.

• Procedures for managing unexpected presentations.

Biosecurity preparedness also plays an important role in business continuity.

Stock availability, staff movement, service restrictions and client communication can change quickly during a disease response.

Maintaining supplier alternatives, clear decision-making responsibilities and reliable contact lists can help practices respond more effectively.

Five questions every veterinary practice owner should ask for 2027

Before finalising next year’s business plan, consider these five questions.

These questions can help practice owners identify which operational improvements deserve priority.

Turning veterinary industry trends into practical decisions

Identifying trends is only useful when they lead to meaningful action.

Rather than creating five separate projects, select the two issues likely to have the greatest impact on your veterinary practice.

Gather a baseline, assign responsibility and establish one practical action to complete within the next 90 days.

Depending on your circumstances, priorities might include:

• Strengthening workforce coverage.

• Introducing an AI-use policy.

• Conducting an extreme-weather response exercise.

• Reviewing infection-control and biosecurity procedures.

• Improving client communication and appointment access.

Operational changes can also affect revenue, staffing, equipment, professional activities, locations and exposure to business interruptions.

Discuss material changes with your insurance broker as your business plan develops to help ensure your insurance arrangements remain appropriate for your practice.

Petcover Business Insurance acts as an insurance broker rather than an insurer. Available cover depends on the applicable policy and individual circumstances.

Protecting your veterinary practice for the year ahead

As the veterinary industry evolves, reviewing your business operations and insurance needs can help you prepare for the unexpected.

Every veterinary practice is different, and the right insurance depends on the services you provide and the risks you face.

Petcover Business Insurance specialises in helping veterinary professionals explore insurance options tailored to their businesses.

Our dedicated brokers understand the challenges facing veterinary practices and can help you review your insurance needs as you plan for 2027.

Contact Petcover Business Insurance to speak with a specialist broker about your practice.