Summary

Now Closed

This online engagement was hosted on YourSAy from 1 December 2020 to 31 January 2021. Find out more about the consultation process. Below is a record of the engagement.

Below is a summary of some of the key aspects of the discussion paper. For further details, including a set of questions to consider when giving feedback, please download the discussion paper PDF.

The Veterinary Practice Act 2003 and the Veterinary Practice Regulations 2017 currently regulate veterinary practice in South Australia. The legislation provides for the registration of veterinary surgeons and regulates the provision of veterinary treatment to ensure high standards of competence and conduct by veterinary surgeons.

The majority of veterinary surgeons registered in the state work in clinical practice offering services directly to the public providing a service for companion, production/farm and equine/performance animals. Most veterinary practices are first opinion practices with a small number of dedicated specialist/referral and emergency centres.

There is a small subset of veterinary surgeons employed in non-clinical roles, including by government. These veterinarians provide services in biosecurity, trade in livestock and livestock products, research institutions and in ancillary industries (e.g. veterinary pharmaceutical and nutrition companies).

In addition to the Act and Regulations, veterinary surgeons are required to comply with a number of other pieces of legislation in relation to the provision of veterinary treatment in the state. These pieces of legislation are referenced in the discussion paper.

The Scope of the Review

The review is focused on the following topics:

• structure, name, functions and powers of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia (the Board)
• registration of veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals
• fees and charges
• general offences
• licencing of veterinary premises
• scope of veterinary treatment and the provision of veterinary treatment for non-veterinary animal care service providers

These topics have been identified following preliminary engagement with a number of stakeholder organisations. Specific questions regarding key components of the discussion paper have been included in the survey. There is also the opportunity for those wishing to make a more detailed written submission to do so. Details are available on the Get involved tab.

No legislative changes have been made at this stage. All suggestions received to help maintain high professional standards in the provision of veterinary treatment in SA will be considered as part of this review.

While this review is focussed on certain aspects of the legislation to ensure they remain contemporary, there may also be changes identified as part of the process that would create administrative efficiencies and improvements.