Responsible person

The Veterinary Services Act 2023 (‘the Act’) is an Act to support animal health, safety and welfare and the public interest. An objective of the Veterinary Services Regulatory Board of South Australia (‘the Board’) is to provide for the registration of veterinarians and premises at which veterinary services are provided. This information sheet provides general guidance about the requirement to have a responsible person as part of the registration of premises.

Who is a responsible person?

Section 41 of the Act provides that there must be a responsible person in respect of each registered premises.

1. in the case of premises owned or occupied by an individual, that person; or
2. in the case of a premises owned or occupied by an entity, the individual from time to time, nominated by the entity in accordance with any requirement set out in the regulations as the responsible person in respect of the premises.

Section 11 of the Veterinary Services Regulations 2025 stipulates for the purposes of sub-section (b) noted above, the individual nominated by an entity as the responsible person in respect of registered premises owned or occupied by the entity must be a veterinarian with primary registration whose principal place of residence is in this State.

In all other cases, the Board considers it best practice that the responsible person is a veterinarian.

Responsibilities of a responsible person

The specific responsibilities of the responsible person include ensuring that:

• The conditions of any veterinary premises registration are being adhered, as any contravention in respect of the premises is an offence against the responsible person.
• They must, within 3 months of any change occurring in the information required to be included in the veterinary premises register, inform the Board in writing of the change.

This information is as follows:

1. the name of the business carried on, or proposed to be carried on, at the premises; and
2. the address of the premises (if relevant); and
3. particulars of any limitation or condition of the premises’ registration; and
4. the nature of the veterinary services to be provided at the premises; and
5. the name of the responsible person in respect of the premises; and
6. any other information prescribed by the regulations.

This information can be provided through our website.

The Board may impose conditions on a veterinary premises registration requiring the Responsible Person to

• Notify the Board before work is commenced to undertake material renovations or alterations of the premises
• Within 14 business days, inform the Board if the premises cease to comply with any of the standards
• Inform the Board about a proposed sale or transfer of the premises
• Inform the Board if any business carried on at the premises is placed into voluntary administration or receivership or in the case of a business carried on by a body corporate, into liquidation within 5 business days after becoming aware of these circumstances

The Board considers the responsible person’s management duties to include:

• To meet the requirements of registration of the premises
• They are in regular attendance at the premises
• They appoint someone to act on their behalf if they take leave for more than 4 weeks.
• To provide a central point of contact with the Board for any complaints received about the Veterinary Premises Standards
• To assist with assessment of the premises by an inspector.

Obligation of a responsible person

The Board must be notified in writing of the appointment, including the name and contact details of the person before they assume the duties of responsible person. The prescribed person (as defined in s51(4) of the Act) must notify the Board if the responsible person leaves or is permanently replaced by completing and submitting the Change of Appointment of a responsible person Form.

The responsible person will be listed on a veterinary premises register maintained by the Board.

A prescribed fee may be payable in relation to the nomination or change in nomination of the responsible person in respect of registered premises.

Review

This factsheet shall be reviewed annually or as required to ensure that it remains appropriate to the operations of the Board and compliant with the relevant legislation.