ECC Graduate Development Program

Company Description

Are you a passionate new or recent veterinary graduate ready to dive into the world of small animal emergency and critical care?

Animal Emergency Centre (AEC) is a network of veterinary hospitals providing 24/7 emergency and critical care services for pets across Australia. In Melbourne, AEC operates several clinics offering round-the-clock care for sick or injured animals.

AEC's Graduate Development Program (GDP) is one of the most successful and longest running ECC program in Australia. We currently support five interns across our Melbourne hospitals, and we're now looking to welcome two more graduates into our 2026 intake.

This is a 24-month immersive program designed to accelerate your clinical confidence, expand your knowledge and prepare you for a thriving career in veterinary emergency and critical care.

Join an industry-leading Graduate Development Program across our three AEC Melbourne sites – Mt Waverley, Moorabbin, and Frankston.

How will we support you?

Our two-year intensive program is designed to help you grow into a confident and capable emergency vet, with strong clinical skills, sound judgement, and a solid foundation in emergency and critical care medicine.

Across our three hospitals, we have more than 10 ECC Membership-qualified veterinarians, along with many others who have undertaken further training and are committed mentors and educators who will support you. Our team genuinely enjoys teaching and is passionate about supporting new graduates as they find their feet.

For your first 18 months, you'll always be rostered alongside an experienced veterinarian. This ensures you're never managing cases alone and gives you the space to build confidence with guidance at hand. you'll receive hands-on clinical training, structured didactic teaching, practical classes, and exposure to related disciplines. This internship meets all internship requirements for those aiming to pursue residency training but is beneficial for any graduate wishing to accelerate their learning curve.

Our Locations:

Our Moorabbin hospital is a brand new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility equipped with advanced diagnostics and technology. It is home to our growing specialty surgery department, with Dr Charles Kuntz and Dr Malcolm Jack, two highly regarded specialist surgeons, based on site.

This centre offers a unique opportunity for graduates to gain exposure to complex surgical cases and learn from leaders in the field. As part of you're the program, you will spend dedicated time with the surgery team. Our Animal Emergency Centre in Mount Waverley and Frankston provides state-of-the-art emergency and critical care facilities, diagnostic equipment, x-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy, blood pressure monitoring, respiratory monitoring, a pharmacy, lab services and an isolation room and services surgery and pathology.

You will spend 40/50% of your time at one location to build more relationships with patients but will also have the ability to travel to the other sites for training and clinical rotations.

Additional Benefits:

• 4 weeks paid annual leave + 1-week paid study leave
• 10 days personal leave
• Rotating shifts across weekdays, weekends, nights & public holidays
• Paid AVA membership + access to premium online veterinary resources
• Possibility of locum shifts for additional income
• Pathway to ongoing employment as a Staff Veterinarian
• Additional benefits included as being part of the Greencross Network

About you:

• Candidates must have a recognised Veterinary degree in Australia and be eligible for veterinary registration in Victoria.
• We seek motivated individuals passionate about becoming the best veterinarians they can be.
• Successful applicants will demonstrate excellent organizational and communication skills and be flexible with their scheduling to participate in our comprehensive training sessions.
• Experience working within Emergency & Critical Care or a keen interest in this area is highly sought after.
• Availability to travel across the three sites (Moorabbin, Mount Waverley and Frankston)

Ready to apply?

Apply with your resume and cover letter or contact Talent Acquisition Business Partner, Sharleen Crooks on for more information.

Additional Information