The Veterinary Services Regulatory Board of South Australia (‘the Board’) supports animal health, safety and welfare and the public interest by providing for the registration of veterinarians and premises at which veterinary services are provided, to regulate the provision of veterinary services for the purposes of maintaining high standards of competence and conduct by veterinarians pursuant to the Veterinary Services Act 2023 (the Act). This document aims to provide guidance about levels of supervision to veterinarians and supervisors.
The support and monitoring provided by supervision gives assurance to the Board, the veterinary profession, and the public that the practice of a veterinarian is not putting the public or the health and safety of animals at risk. This information is not intended to restrict any voluntary supervision arrangements between an employer and a veterinarian who has not had conditions imposed on their registration.
APPLICATION
Supervision may be required following the imposition of conditions on the veterinarian’s registration by the Board or the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘the Tribunal’), following a period of extended leave and at the commencement of a graduate’s employment.
Section 13 of the Veterinary Services Regulations 2025 (‘the Regulations’) also prescribes circumstances where persons other than veterinarians (such as support staff) can provide veterinary services at the direction of, or supervised by a veterinarian.
1. CONDITION ON REGISTRATION
Conditions requiring supervision may be imposed on a veterinarian’s registration under the following sections of the Act:
- Section 28(9) – As a requirement for general registration
- Section 28(12)(e) – As a requirement for specialist registration
- Section 38(1)(b) – Variation of registration where veterinarian charged with certain offences or unacceptable risk to animals
- Section 63(1)(d) – After a medical fitness inquiry
- Section 74(6)(e) – After Board resolution of a complaint
- Section 78(2)(c) – After a Tribunal hearing
The Board will consider each supervision arrangement on its merits and will only approve supervision arrangements that it considers will support animal health, safety and welfare, and the public interest.
A condition imposing supervision on a veterinarian’s registration can be varied or revoked pursuant to the following sections of the Act;
- Section 28(10) – Board initiative or on application by veterinarian
- Section 36(4) – Board initiative or on application by deemed veterinarian
- Section 38(1)(b) – Board can vary by notice in writing
- Section 38(8) – Board can vary by notice in writing or on application by veterinarian
- Section 74(6)(b) – After Board resolution
- Section 78(2)(c) – Tribunal may revoke or vary
- Section 78(4) – Tribunal may revoke or vary on application by party to proceedings (time limits apply)
- Section 88(1) – Tribunal may vary or revoke any condition imposed by a Tribunal on application of veterinarian
2. EXTENDED LEAVE
The Board appreciates that veterinarians may exit the profession or take extended leave for a variety of reasons. A registered veterinarian may also be looking to provide veterinary services after working in another area of the veterinary profession (e.g. pharmacy). It may be conditional upon re-registration, change of registration category or an imposition of an employer to require supervision of a veterinarian who is transitioning back into practice.
In addition, veterinarians returning to the profession after a period of extended leave may benefit from return to work programs such as that offered by the Australian Veterinary Association: AVA Return to Work Program.
3. GRADUATES AND LIMITED PRACTICE
The Code of Professional Conduct (‘the Code’) stipulates supervision requirements for graduate and emerging veterinarians (who may have had limited practice) until they have demonstrated a level of skill necessary for the duties they undertake.
A new graduate must recognise that they may not be experienced and skilled in all aspects of veterinary medicine and that it takes time and support to learn skills. They must seek supervision from within the practice or from other experienced veterinarians, as appropriate, for a minimum of 12 months.
The Code also notes that a veterinarian who has only worked in a narrow field of practice for 3 consecutive years or more must recognise that they will have lost skills and knowledge in aspects of veterinary medicine. Before diversifying their practice or employment, a veterinarian must update their knowledge and skill to contemporary standards in their proposed area of work, which may include a period of supervision.
4. VETERINARY SERVICES BY PERSONS OTHER THAN VETERINARIANS
Section 13 of the Regulations permits the provision of veterinary services by persons other than veterinarians (such as support staff) and in most circumstances, under the supervision of, or at the direction of a veterinarian.
DIRECT SUPERVISION
Direct supervision means that the supervisor must always be physically present at the workplace the supervised veterinarian is practising at, including during any after hours, on-call practice or off-site visits (e.g. house or farm). The supervisor must be available for consultation in the premises but does not need to be in the same room. Clinical records must be reviewed by the supervisor within 24 hours of the provision of veterinary treatment by the supervised veterinarian.
Where a veterinarian has a condition on their registration for direct supervision, they must only provide veterinary treatment under the direct supervision of a veterinarian with not less than five (5) years of relevant experience.
A supervisor providing direct supervision has principal responsibility for the standard of care provided to each individual patient seen by the veterinarian under their supervision.
INDIRECT SUPERVISION
Indirect supervision means that the supervisor does not have to be physically present but must be readily available by phone or other communication if the supervised veterinarian requires assistance while practising. The supervisor oversees the supervised veterinarians practice and ensures that there are mechanisms in place to monitor whether the supervised veterinarian is practising safely. Clinical records must be reviewed by the supervisor within 24 hours of the provision of veterinary treatment by the veterinarian.
Where a veterinarian has a condition on their registration for indirect supervision, the veterinarian must only provide veterinary treatment under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian with not less than five (5) years of relevant experience.
The supervised veterinarian takes primary responsibility for each individual patient; however, a supervisor providing indirect supervision has broad responsibility for the standard of care provided by the person under their supervision.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SUPERVISOR
The primary supervisor is responsible for the required level of supervision of the supervised veterinarian. In the case of Board imposed conditions, an application for secondary supervisors must be made in writing to the Board and list the necessary skills and experience of the proposed secondary supervisors to provide supervision.
A person proposed as a primary or secondary supervisor:
- must be on the general register of veterinarians (SA) and must have been practising as a veterinarian in Australia for at least 5 years (full-time equivalent practice)
- must be appropriately qualified, preferably in the same field of veterinary practice as the position proposed for the veterinarian they will be supervising
- must have good standing in the profession
- must not be an employee, relative, or domestic partner of the person they will be supervising
- must not be providing direct supervision to more than three other veterinarians.
The Board may decide not to approve a proposed supervisor, or may revoke approval of a supervisor, if it receives a complaint about the supervisor’s conduct, performance or health.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SUPERVISOR
A supervisor providing direct or indirect supervision to a veterinarian must;
- agree to provide supervision at a level determined by the Board, and maintain the prescribed level of supervision throughout the period of supervision
- discuss supervision requirements with the supervised veterinarian before practice commences
- where there are secondary supervisors, ensure they maintain communication about the supervised veterinarian
- ensure the supervised veterinarian is practising safely and is not placing the public or the health and welfare of animals at risk
- assist the supervised veterinarian to understand the regulatory environment governing and guiding the actions of veterinarians in South Australia
- if providing indirect supervision, give clear instructions to the supervised veterinarian about how they can be contacted, including after hours
- provide constructive feedback
- notify the Board immediately if they have concerns that the supervised veterinarian’s performance, conduct or health is placing the public or the health and welfare of animals at risk
- ensure there are mechanisms in place for the supervised veterinarian to comply with the conditions, limitations or restrictions imposed on their registration
- notify the Board as soon as they become aware that the supervised veterinarian is not complying with the conditions, limitations or restrictions imposed on their registration
- if requested by the Board, provide reports on the supervised veterinarian’s work performance in an approved format at intervals determined by the Board
- notify the Board if they are no longer able, or willing, to provide supervision
- cooperate with any investigation into the supervised veterinarian’s professional conduct.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SUPERVISED VETERINARIAN
It is the supervised veterinarian’s responsibility to:
- consult their supervisor about the management of patients and not provide veterinary services without the knowledge and consent of their supervisor
- consult their supervisor early if they have a problem
- recognise the limits of their professional competence and seek guidance and assistance from their supervisor when required
- familiarise themselves and maintain their knowledge of the regulatory environment governing and guiding the actions of veterinarians in South Australia
In the event of Board imposed conditions, the supervised veterinarian should;
- comply with all conditions, limitations or restrictions on their registration
- contact the Board if their supervision arrangements are not being met
- notify the Board if their supervisor indicates directly or indirectly that they are unable or unwilling to provide continued supervision
- contact the Board to report and/or seek approval of any change to circumstances affecting their supervision
CONSEQUENCE OF INADEQUATE SUPERVISION
Section 13 (a)(iv) of the Regulations stipulates that a failure by a veterinarian to adequately supervise a person in the provision of veterinary services where the supervision is required by law and the veterinarian agreed to provide that supervision may be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct.
A supervised veterinarian may have their registration revoked if they cannot comply with a condition to be supervised imposed on their registration.
DIRECTION
In South Australia, support staff and other persons are permitted to engage in specified veterinary services either at the direction of or under the supervision of a registered veterinarian. Section 12 of the Regulations stipulates services that may be provided at the direction of a veterinarian.
At the direction of means the service is based on the professional judgment, advice, or instructions given by a registered veterinarian.
For example, the administration of an anaesthetic drug or vaccine to an animal can be done by a person at the direction of a veterinarian.
MENTORS AND COACHES
The Board recommends that you also consider engaging a mentor and/or coach for your long-term professional and personal development. A Reference Guide and Resources can be found here.
DOCUMENT 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.