In this section:
Registration
How to apply
There are two ways in which you may apply for registration as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary specialist. The manner in which you apply depends on whether you hold a current registration as a veterinary surgeon in another state or territory in Australia or New Zealand, or alternatively, whether you are not registered in another state or territory or NZ, but have the required qualifications to register - for example, if you are a new graduate or have passed the National Veterinary Examination.
If you hold a current registration in another state or territory Australia then you are eligible to apply for registration under Mutual Recognition (MR). If you hold a current registration in New Zealand then you are eligible to apply for registration under Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition (TTMR). If you do not fall under either of these categories you will need to apply for Initial Registration.
Requirements for Registration for Applicants with Overseas Qualifications
The Veterinary Surgeons Board of the ACT accepts overseas qualifications in Veterinary Surgery for registration purposes in the ACT if the courses undertaken have been accredited by the Australian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) .
Once your qualifications have been assessed by the AVBC, if they have been approved or you have passed any required examinations, you may apply to the Board for registration. The Board does not assist applicants to gain employment in the Australian Capital Territory.
Mutual recognition
You should use the Mutual Recognition form if you have current veterinary registration in any other jurisdiction in Australia or in New Zealand.
In order to apply for registration under MR or TTMR you must first obtain an application form from the Veterinary Surgeons Board of the ACT or download it here. You will then be required to submit the completed and signed form to the Board in hard copy, together with the required photograph, payment and any other documents required, as per the form checklist.
Registration takes effect from the date the Board receives the completed application and fee. Upon acceptance of your completed application you are deemed registered and are able to work immediately.
All applications for registration are required to be passed before a meeting of the Board before registration is formally recognised. After formal recognition you will receive a certificate of registration and a current practising card by mail.
| Download: | MR application form for veterinary surgeons and specialists (PDF File - 197k) |
Conditions of registration
If your registration is subject to conditions or restrictions in the first state or territory, then entitlement to registration in the ACT will be subject to the same conditions or restrictions.
Initial registration
You should use the Initial Registration application form if you do not hold a current registration as a veterinary surgeon in any other Australian jurisdiction or New Zealand.
| Download: | Veterinary Surgeons and Specialists Initial application form (PDF File - 185k) |
Registration as a Veterinary Specialist
A veterinary surgeon is entitled to be registered as a veterinary specialist if they are registered as such in another Australian state or territory or New Zealand, or have been assessed by the AVBC as meeting the requirements for registration as a specialist in Australia.
Persons applying for registration as a veterinary specialist should apply on the appropriate veterinary surgeons application form, ie, for Initial or Mutual Registration.
Change of address
Registrants are required to advise the Board in writing of any change of address within one month of that change. Failure to comply with these provisions attracts a penalty. You may email the board your change of address to: vetboard@act.gov.au
Annual Renewal of Registration
All registrants are required to pay the determined fee by COB 30 June each year, in order to remain registered in the Territory.
Scheduled Fees as from 1 May 2009
- Fees for Initial Registration are $310.00 for a Veterinary Surgeon and an additional $210.00 for a specialist registering for the first time.
Pro-rata fees apply - please see details in the application form. - Fees for Mutual Recognition registration are $255.00 for a veterinary surgeon and an additional $210.00 to register as a veterinary specialist
Pro-rata fees apply - please see details in the application form. - Fees for Annual Renewal are $255.00 and an additional $160.00 to register as a veterinary specialist. A late fee of $310.00 now applies for renewal of registration.
Annual Fee not Paid
Where a registrant fails to pay the annual renewal fee, the Board will cancel the registration of that person and they will be removed from the register.
Re-registration
The Board may reinstate a person to the Register whose name has been removed for failure to pay the annual fee, depending on the period of time which has passed since their registration. In this case, a person would need to submit an application form for registration and pay the determined fee. Reinstatement to the Register will be on the same terms and conditions (if any) that applied to the person's registration immediately before the person was removed from the Register.
Cancellation on Health Grounds
The Board may cancel the registration of a person if it is satisfied that the person lacks the physical or mental capacity to practice veterinary surgery. In such instances, the Board will convene an Inquiry before it cancels the registration of a person.
Disciplinary Action
The Board may cancel or suspend the registration of a person if it is satisfied that a person is guilty of an offence under the Act. In such cases the Board will convene an Inquiry to ascertain whether the name of the person should be removed from the Register.
