Veterinary Premises Standards consultation

Have your say on a new Veterinary Premises Standards for South Australia.

The Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia (the Board), an independent statutory authority which regulates the provision of veterinary treatment to protect the public interest and animal health, safety and welfare, is seeking your input on Veterinary Premises Standards (VPS) that support the Veterinary Services Act 2023, which will establish a contemporary framework for veterinary premises registration and regulation in South Australia.

What's being decided?

To support the commencement of the Veterinary Services Act 2023, standards need to be drafted.

Among elements raised for inclusion in the Act was the provision of Veterinary Premises Standards. It was recognised that the registration of all veterinary premises and the introduction of minimum standards will ensure that premises that provide veterinary services are fit for purpose and can provide adequate care.

The Board has been working in consultation with PIRSA and a VPS Working Group, comprising representatives from the veterinary profession, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), and the University of Adelaide, to prepare these standards

The standards around veterinary premises, including registration of premises, are set for significant change, which is why we are seeking this public consultation.

The Consultation Paper outlines the questions we are seeking your feedback on but in broad terms they include the following:

  1. Are the categories of veterinary premises sufficient?
  2. Are the application requirements clear and reasonable?
  3. Do the prescribed standards reflect expectations of the public and current industry standards?
  4. What practical issues could arise if the responsible person at each premises is not a registered South Australian veterinarian based at the premises?
  5. Is the proposed 3–6-month application lead time for a new premises sufficient?
  6. Are the conditions of approval for registration practical and proportionate?
  7. Are the inspection triggers and random audit approach appropriate?
  8. Are the transitional arrangements fair for existing premises?
  9. Do you have any suggestions to improve clarity of the VPS?
  10. What if a premises cannot meet the standards?

Background

Veterinarians play a key role in animal, human and community wellbeing by maintaining the health and wellbeing of our pets and our livestock.

In 2020, PIRSA began a review of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 to ensure that South Australia maintains a contemporary and flexible veterinary regulation and registration framework that continues to meet the objectives of protecting animal health, safety and welfare, and the public interest (including users and providers of veterinary services).

Consultation was undertaken during 2020 and 2021, and following consideration of stakeholder feedback, a draft Bill was prepared. In 2022, consultation was undertaken on the draft Bill. The Veterinary Services Bill 2023 passed through Parliament on 30 November 2023 and was assented to 7 December 2023 and subsequently became the Veterinary Services Act 2023. The Veterinary Practice Act 2003 continues to remain in effect until the Veterinary Services Act 2023 commences.

To support the commencement of the Act, regulations need to be drafted and made by the Governor in Executive Council.

The standards around veterinary premises, including registration of premises, are set for significant change, which is why we are currently seeking this public consultation.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say by:

Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia

GPO Box 11020

Adelaide SA 5000

To ask a question, please send it to the e-mail address or mailing address above.

Please note:

Your e-mail address may be stored to enable us to provide updates on how the regulations progresses.

Please include Veterinary Premises Standards Consultation as the title of your submission.

Your submission may be made publicly available online unless you request anonymity at the time of submission. Alternatively, submissions may be published by stakeholder category, without your identity, if preferred and advised at the time of submission.

Anonymous submissions may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

Feedback will be reviewed and considered, and the outcome of the consultation process will be communicated to the profession and other stakeholders, along with commencement dates of the impending new standards.

The Board will ensure there is guidance and tools to support implementation and a suitable period for transition.

The Veterinary Practice Act 2003 will continue to remain in effect until the Veterinary Services Act 2023 commences.

Have your say on a new Veterinary Premises Standards for South Australia.

The Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia (the Board), an independent statutory authority which regulates the provision of veterinary treatment to protect the public interest and animal health, safety and welfare, is seeking your input on Veterinary Premises Standards (VPS) that support the Veterinary Services Act 2023, which will establish a contemporary framework for veterinary premises registration and regulation in South Australia.

What's being decided?

To support the commencement of the Veterinary Services Act 2023, standards need to be drafted.

Among elements raised for inclusion in the Act was the provision of Veterinary Premises Standards. It was recognised that the registration of all veterinary premises and the introduction of minimum standards will ensure that premises that provide veterinary services are fit for purpose and can provide adequate care.

The Board has been working in consultation with PIRSA and a VPS Working Group, comprising representatives from the veterinary profession, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), and the University of Adelaide, to prepare these standards

The standards around veterinary premises, including registration of premises, are set for significant change, which is why we are seeking this public consultation.

The Consultation Paper outlines the questions we are seeking your feedback on but in broad terms they include the following:

  1. Are the categories of veterinary premises sufficient?
  2. Are the application requirements clear and reasonable?
  3. Do the prescribed standards reflect expectations of the public and current industry standards?
  4. What practical issues could arise if the responsible person at each premises is not a registered South Australian veterinarian based at the premises?
  5. Is the proposed 3–6-month application lead time for a new premises sufficient?
  6. Are the conditions of approval for registration practical and proportionate?
  7. Are the inspection triggers and random audit approach appropriate?
  8. Are the transitional arrangements fair for existing premises?
  9. Do you have any suggestions to improve clarity of the VPS?
  10. What if a premises cannot meet the standards?

Background

Veterinarians play a key role in animal, human and community wellbeing by maintaining the health and wellbeing of our pets and our livestock.

In 2020, PIRSA began a review of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 to ensure that South Australia maintains a contemporary and flexible veterinary regulation and registration framework that continues to meet the objectives of protecting animal health, safety and welfare, and the public interest (including users and providers of veterinary services).

Consultation was undertaken during 2020 and 2021, and following consideration of stakeholder feedback, a draft Bill was prepared. In 2022, consultation was undertaken on the draft Bill. The Veterinary Services Bill 2023 passed through Parliament on 30 November 2023 and was assented to 7 December 2023 and subsequently became the Veterinary Services Act 2023. The Veterinary Practice Act 2003 continues to remain in effect until the Veterinary Services Act 2023 commences.

To support the commencement of the Act, regulations need to be drafted and made by the Governor in Executive Council.

The standards around veterinary premises, including registration of premises, are set for significant change, which is why we are currently seeking this public consultation.

Get involved

Find out more:

Have your say by:

Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia

GPO Box 11020

Adelaide SA 5000

To ask a question, please send it to the e-mail address or mailing address above.

Please note:

Your e-mail address may be stored to enable us to provide updates on how the regulations progresses.

Please include Veterinary Premises Standards Consultation as the title of your submission.

Your submission may be made publicly available online unless you request anonymity at the time of submission. Alternatively, submissions may be published by stakeholder category, without your identity, if preferred and advised at the time of submission.

Anonymous submissions may still be subject to access under Freedom of Information laws.

What are the next steps?

Feedback will be reviewed and considered, and the outcome of the consultation process will be communicated to the profession and other stakeholders, along with commencement dates of the impending new standards.

The Board will ensure there is guidance and tools to support implementation and a suitable period for transition.

The Veterinary Practice Act 2003 will continue to remain in effect until the Veterinary Services Act 2023 commences.

Page last updated: 16 Sep 2025, 05:47 PM