Short answer — the brands most frequently recommended by Australian vets are:

• Royal Canin (retail + veterinary prescription range). (royalcanin.com)
• Hill’s (Science Diet for everyday feeding and Prescription Diet for medical conditions). (hillspet.com.au)
• Purina / Purina Pro Plan (including Pro Plan Veterinary Diets). (purina.com.au)
• Advance (an Australian “science-backed” brand vets commonly stock/recommend). (thevetshed.com.au)
• Ziwi Peak and other premium / limited‑ingredient brands (often recommended for food‑sensitive cats). (ziwipeak.com.au)
• Black Hawk and similar Australian “super‑premium” ranges — commonly sold through vet clinics and pet retailers. (petfoodplus.com.au)

Notes and quick tips

• Many vets favour brands that offer both life‑stage formulas and veterinary (prescription) diets, because those let them tailor nutrition for illness (urinary, renal, weight, skin/allergy, etc.). Prescription diets should be used only under veterinary advice. (hillspet.com.au)
• “Vet‑recommended” doesn’t mean one brand is best for every cat — vets choose by your cat’s age, body condition, medical history and preferences. Ask your clinic for a specific brand/formula. (greencrossvets.com.au)
• For general cat‑nutrition guidance (life stage, wet vs dry, hydration, food safety), reputable sources such as RSPCA Australia give useful overviews. (rspcansw.org.au)

If you want, I can:

• List specific formulas (adult, kitten, urinary, renal, weight‑loss) from any of the brands above, or
• Suggest what to ask your vet when choosing a food for your cat.