Veterinary Services Regulations

We are seeking your input on the development of regulations to support the Veterinary Services Act 2023, which will establish a contemporary framework for veterinary regulation and registration in South Australia

What's being decided?

To support the commencement of the Veterinary Services Act 2023 , regulations need to be drafted. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is in the process of developing the regulations and is seeking your input.

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 Veterinary Services Act 2023 the Act, regulations need to developed by the Governor in Executive Council. Public consultation on the Discussion Paper will inform the development of drafting the regulations.

Get involved

Find out more:

• Read the Veterinary Services Act 2023
• Read the Veterinary Services Regulations Discussion Paper
• Read the background information released in December 2022 – Draft Veterinary Services Bill 2022, Explanatory Guide and Draft Bill
• Read the background information released in 2020 – Discussion Paper, Public Consultation Summary Report.
• Refer to the Veterinary Practice Act 2003
• Refer to the Veterinary Practice Regulations 2017

Have your say by:

• Emailing a submission to PIRSA.VeterinaryServicesAct@sa.gov.au
• Posting your written submission to:

Department of Primary Industries and Regions

Veterinary Services Regulations Consultation
GPO Box 1671
Adelaide SA 5001

To ask a question, please send it to the email address or mailing address above.

Please note:

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

Please include ‘Veterinary Services Regulations Discussion Paper” as the title of your submission.

Your submission may be made publicly available online unless you request anonymity at the time of submission. Alternatively, PIRSA may publish submissions 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?

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

We will consider your feedback to finalise the Veterinary Services Regulations.

The Veterinary Services Act 2023 will come into operation after the regulations have been made, and on a day to be fixed by proclamation.