Locum vet work or home visits: day rates, set-up and what to check

A locum vet is a veterinary surgeon who covers shifts at practices, either self-employed or through an agency. UK agencies publish typical day rates of £400 to £500 (SynergyVets, October 2025) and £450 to £700 for small animal and emergency work (Ronda, May 2026), with nights paid more. Home visit work is a different model: you see clients directly, set your own fee per visit, and carry responsibilities a practice would normally hold for you.

Locum vet day rates in the UK

Both are agency guide prices rather than a survey, and neither publishes the data behind them. Rates vary by region, experience and whether the shift is sole charge.

What you need in place to work as a locum

1. Current RCVS registration as a practising veterinary surgeon.
2. Professional indemnity that covers locum work. Practice cover does not automatically extend to you; see our indemnity guide.
3. Self-employed tax set-up. Register with HMRC for Self Assessment and set money aside for income tax and National Insurance. If you work through your own limited company, the off-payroll working rules (IR35) may apply.
4. VAT awareness. Registration is compulsory once taxable turnover passes the VAT threshold, currently £90,000.
5. A written agreement with each practice or agency covering rate, cancellation, hours and who provides indemnity for the work.

Locum shifts or home visits?

Many vets combine the two: locum shifts for steady income, and home visits on days off. Home visits need fewer upfront commitments if you start by consulting and prescribing, rather than supplying medicines yourself.

Where to confirm

Check your indemnity with the VDS or your broker, your tax position with HMRC or an accountant, and anything about premises or medicines with the RCVS. Agency rates change; ask two or three agencies for current figures in your region before you set your own.