Have your say on the ACT’s proposed Veterinary Practice Bill 2017


Released 24/10/2017

The ACT Government has reviewed the ACT’s veterinary legislation and has developed a proposed Veterinary Practice Bill 2017 (the Bill).

The ACT’s current veterinary legislation was established as an interim framework in 2015 and was modelled on the Health Professionals Act 2004 that was repealed after new National legislation was introduced. The ACT Government is proposing to introduce new veterinary legislation in 2017 modelled on NSW legislation.

“Due to the close location of the ACT to NSW, and after a detailed review of their legislation, the ACT Government has modelled the Bill on NSW’s veterinary legislation to reduce barriers to movement of veterinary surgeons across the borders,” Director of Governance and Ministerial Services with Transport Canberra and City Services, Nikki Pulford said.

“We are now seeking input from veterinary surgeons and the community on its provisions to ensure the proposed legislative model is relevant and appropriate for the ACT veterinary profession.”

The NSW legislation is a similar legislative model to the ACT’s current legislation, including the function of a board, procedures for registrations and complaint management. It would result in minimal changes for the ACT veterinary industry and provide clearer legislative provisions for the regulatory board.

The proposed Bill will:

  • remove regulatory burdens to improve timeliness and efficiency of complaint management and resolution;
  • provide enhanced powers for the Board when managing complaints;
  • increase accountability of the Board through legislated performance indicators;
  • increase public reporting on registrations and new reporting on complaints/enforcement work; and
  • harmonise the ACT’s legislation with NSW veterinary legislation to reduce barriers to movements between the jurisdictions for veterinary surgeons and allow the ACT to implement national recognition of veterinary registration. “The Bill will not impose any increased fees or additional costs for a veterinary professional in the ACT, rather it will create savings for the regulatory board and ACT Government through more efficient provisions, changes to board member appointment processes, removing the requirement for complicated complaint panels that delay resolution of complaints, and changes to the composition of the regulatory board,” Ms Pulford said.

To ensure the Bill achieves its aim of promoting animal welfare and protecting the public, the veterinary profession and the community are encouraged to provide comment on the Bill. Find out more at www.tccs.act.gov.au/about-us/veterinary-surgeons-board or come along to a consultation session at  6.30 pm on 9 November 2017. Details of the consultation session is provided on the website. To attend the information session please email TCCS.Vetboard@act.gov.au or phone 02 6207 0012.

- Statement ends -

ACT Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate | Media Releases

Media Contacts

Name Phone Mobile Email

Jeff Garner

6207 1422


«ACT Government Media Releases | «Directorate Media Releases