What to Charge? A Practical Guide to Pricing Veterinary Assistance Services in New Zealand

Pricing your veterinary assistance services in New Zealand can feel like a guessing game, especially when every region, client, and animal has its own unique demands. This guide is here to bring clarity, offer Kiwi-friendly tips, and help both established professionals and fresh freelancers find fair, sustainable rates that work for everyone. Let’s break down practical strategies, local examples, and real-world stories from around Aotearoa.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. Know Your True Costs

Before setting your rates, work out every cost involved in running your veterinary assistance gig - not just your hourly wage. Include travel (fuel, vehicle wear), insurance, medical supplies, licensing, equipment maintenance and downtime. This is the real baseline for business sustainability.

For instance, rural vet assistants in Otago often drive long distances, which means factoring travel costs into quotes. Underestimating expenses can leave you out of pocket and stressed at month’s end.

Even small things add up: replacement gloves, cleaning products, or upgrading your animal handling gear. We’ve heard from Christchurch vet techs who learned the hard way - forgetting mileage costs meant earning less than minimum wage some days.

2. Research Local Rates

Kiwis care about fair pricing, but what’s fair depends on the region and type of service. Use industry directories, platforms and local businesses to benchmark your rates.

Check sites like NoCowboys, TradeMe Services, and Yada for similar veterinary help jobs. Compare rates for dog nail trims, large animal handling, home visits and emergency services.

For example, Auckland vet assistants generally charge more than those in Southland, simply because of living costs and competition.

3. Set Separate Prices for Common Services

List out your most frequently requested tasks and give each a clear price. This avoids confusion, speeds up quoting, and helps clients trust you’re being upfront.

A Hamilton-based veterinary nurse might charge $40 for microchip checks, $60 for cat nail trims, and $120 for after-hours dog wound dressings. Having a menu makes you look organised and professional.

On Yada, you can present your service menu to clients so there are no surprises during booking.

4. Be Clear About Extras and Call-Out Fees

New Zealand clients value transparency - so always explain possible extra charges for call-outs, emergencies, or complex cases. No one wants hidden fees cropping up later.

Rotorua specialists have found that stating extra costs for travel or out-of-hours services upfront stops awkward chats and builds long-term trust.

Example: "Standard dog vaccination is $55. If outside city limits, travel fee of $20 applies."

5. Offer Package Pricing for Regulars

Many Kiwi pet owners want ongoing care but worry about costs. Offering package deals or subscription rates can help them budget while giving you consistent work.

For instance, a Wellington vet tech offers a 'Healthy Pet Plan' with monthly check-ups, basic treatments, and nail trims for a set fee.

This builds loyalty, simplifies invoicing, and helps clients see your value beyond one-off jobs.

6. Adjust for Urgency and After-Hours Calls

Emergencies happen, and after-hours help is precious. Pricing should reflect your time and the extra stress these calls can cause.

Dunedin veterinary assistants report charging 1.5× their standard rate after 7pm, and double on public holidays.

Make policies clear everywhere you list services - whether that’s Yada, a Facebook page, or local flyers.

7. Highlight Your Qualifications and Experience

Being certified, trained or experienced in particular animal types can justify premium pricing. Show clients why your skills are worth it by mentioning credentials.

A Tauranga dog care specialist notes his National Certificate on Yada and local directories, which helps him charge above the basic rate.

Share short stories in your profile: 'Worked with nervous cats for over 10 years,' or 'Just finished advanced equine first aid.'

8. Gather and Showcase Testimonials

Nothing sells your service like praise from delighted pet owners. After each job, ask for a quick testimonial or rating - it’s pure gold for building trust and justifying your prices.

On Yada, testimonials and ratings directly boost your visibility and unlock more daily job applications. One Auckland vet nurse doubled her bookings by consistently collecting and sharing client feedback.

Weirdly enough, even a few words like 'Amazing with my Beagle, will book again!' can make a difference.

9. Factor in Regional and Seasonal Demand

Prices often need seasonal tweaks. In lambing season, Otago vet assistants find demand rockets, while urban areas may see more work during Christmas holidays when folks travel.

Think of your pricing as dynamic: charge more during crunch times, offer deals when work is slow. Local factors (like bad weather or community events) can change demand on a dime.

Monitor what’s happening in your area and adjust accordingly. Some local Yada users set prices by the month - a clever way to keep up.

10. Use Local Platforms to Reach Clients

List on Kiwi-specific platforms: Yada, Neighbourly, TradeMe Services, and NoCowboys all help you connect with genuine local clients looking for help.

Yada makes it easy - there are no lead or success fees, so you can offer more competitive pricing. Plus, specialists of any background, individual or business, can join.

Having an honest profile across multiple NZ platforms helps clients compare and gives your price context.

11. Encourage Honest Conversations

Clients sometimes hesitate to ask for price breakdowns. Be open - invite questions, give free quotes, and use Yada’s private chat to clarify needs before finalising rates.

This open approach is classic Kiwi: it feels friendly and fair, and often leads to repeat work.

One self-employed vet assistant in Nelson never lost a client after explaining her price structure upfront and chatting away worries.

12. Don’t Undercut - Compete Smart

It’s tempting to match the lowest rate you see online, but undercutting can hurt your reputation and lead to burnout. Instead, focus on providing real value, building connections, and educating clients about your expertise.

In Christchurch, a new vet technician built her business by partnering with local pet stores and grooming salons instead of dropping prices - she earned more and gained steady referrals.

Competitive doesn’t mean cheap. Kiwi clients love a good deal, but they also value trust and reliability.

13. Stay Flexible and Adapt

As your business grows and your reputation strengthens, don’t be afraid to adjust your rates. Review your pricing every few months as you gain experience and build a loyal customer base.

Yada’s rating-based model means top-reviewed specialists get more visibility and opportunities, so focus on happy clients as much as price.

Keep an eye on what’s working - ask for honest feedback and stay nimble when demand shifts.

14. Leverage Community and Professional Networks

Networking can quietly boost your bottom line. Join local Facebook groups for pet owners, connect with animal rescue organisations, or chat with vets and pet stores about cross-referrals.

A Hastings vet assistant found steady work by volunteering with animal shelters and sharing tips in local Neighbourly threads - rates rose as her visibility and trust grew.

Kiwi communities appreciate genuine help, so be visible and pitch in where you can.

15. Track, Refine and Communicate Value

Monitor which services get requested most, what rates win bids, and how clients respond. Use this data to continually refine your pricing and messaging.

Tools like Yada’s dashboard can help you track jobs and ratings for smarter pricing decisions - think of it as your virtual business coach.

Communicate your value whenever you quote. For example: "Each visit includes a health check, consultation, and advice on care - that’s why my fee is $65."