The Veterinary Premises Standard sets the minimum requirements for eligibility for premises registration. The standard makes provision for a self-checklist for registration purposes and a guide for inspectors upon inspection of premises.
The Veterinary Services Act 2023 (the Act) provides for the registration of premises
Under the Act, a veterinarian must not provide veterinary services at premises other than registered premises (section 50). However, this requirement does not apply in the following circumstances:
- if it is not reasonably practicable to provide the veterinary services at registered premises;
- if the veterinary services are provided at premises by telephone or other means of electronic communication without the relevant animal being present at the premises;
- if the veterinary services are provided at premises owned or occupied by the owner, or person in control, of the relevant animal with the permission of that person;
- if the veterinary services are provided in an emergency, or if it is impracticable or dangerous to move the relevant animal;
- if the veterinary services are provided in the course of teaching any science or research or experimentation pursuant to a licence under Part 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 1985;
- any other circumstances prescribed by the regulations.
The Act also provides that a business consisting of, or including, the provision of veterinary services must not be carried on at premises that are not registered premises (section 51). However, this requirement does not apply in the following circumstances:
- If the veterinary services provided at premises are only provided by telephone or other means of electronic communication without the relevant animal being present at the premises;
- If the veterinary services are provided in the course of teaching any science or research or experimentation pursuant to a licence under Part 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 1985;
- any other circumstances prescribed by the regulations.
There are separate standards applicable to premises registered as a veterinary hospital.
Standards and registration
In connection with the registration of premises, the Act provides that the Board must prepare or endorse standards relating to minimum requirements for registered premises (sections 14(1)(f) and 40).
This document provides for those standards, which are set out as Schedule 1 and makes provision for a checklist for registration purposes. As provided by section 40(1) of the Act, these are the minimum standards for registered premises.
This veterinary premises standard will be reviewed by the Board at least once in every 5 years.
Subject to the Act, for premises to be eligible for registration on the veterinary premises register by the Veterinary Services Regulatory Board of South Australia (the Board), the Board must be satisfied that:
- any other requirements determined by the Board to be necessary for registration are met in relation to the premises.
- the premises meet the minimum requirements for premises of the relevant kind provided in this veterinary premises standard; and
- the premises will be used for the provision of veterinary services in accordance with the Act; and
- there is a responsible person in respect of the premises; and
Categories of premises
Premises that are required to be registered under the Act are categorised as follows:
On mobile, swipe left to view full table.| Category of premises | Description of veterinary services offered at premises | Self-inspection checklist |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Veterinary consulting/examination rooms (CR) Where an act of veterinary service (other than major veterinary surgery or emergency care) may be carried out. (Minor surgery does not include the opening of body cavities or orthopaedic procedures. No general anaesthetic procedures are permitted to be conducted in premises in this category.) This category will also encompass house calls that are provided to small animals as part of the practice. | Every 3 years |
| 2 | Veterinary surgery/clinics (VC) Where an act of veterinary service, including major veterinary surgery, may be carried out. This category will also encompass house calls that are provided to small animals as part of the practice. | Every 3 years |
| Veterinary mobile clinic (MC) A vehicle, including a trailer, which may be moved from one location to another, and is intended to operate as a veterinary clinic. | Every 3 years | |
| Veterinary hospital (VH) Where an act of veterinary service, including major veterinary surgery or emergency care, may be carried out, and a higher level of diagnostic facilitates than are available at a veterinary clinic are provided. Full facilities are provided for examination, diagnosis, prophylaxis, medical treatment, and surgery of animals. While not required to be open to the public at all times, professional or paraprofessional personnel must always be available to ensure assessment and treatment of emergency cases within a reasonable length of time and to ensure adequate monitoring and treatment for hospital patients. | As per *ASAV AVHS or every 3 years if not accredited by ASAV AVHS *ASAV AVHS Australian Small Animal Veterinarians Group Accredited Veterinary Hospital Scheme | |
| Occasional Premises (OP) Where the premises are not occupied or used on a full-time or weekly basis but are used from time to time to provide veterinary services, including remote community visits | Every 3 years |
Boarding Establishment Where commercial boarding of animals is being carried out in connection to a registered premises. Registration is required for the veterinary premises, and it is also necessary to note the Boarding Establishment requirements as part of a veterinary surgeries/clinics and Hospitals application if commercial boarding is provided. A separate application is not required.
The self-inspection checklist is required on registration and then every three years thereafter as part of the annual anniversary renewal process. However should there be any major alteration to the premises or a service offered at the premises , the Board is required to be notified within 3 months of the change.
Applications
An application for the registration of premises must—
(a) be made to the Board using the application set out in Schedule 1 or 2 for the relevant category of premises; and
(b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
An applicant for registration must provide the Board with specified information as outlined in the Standards Checklist, as provided by Schedule 1 or 2, to enable the Board to determine the application. The Board requires that information furnished for the purposes of the application is verified by statutory declaration.
The Board may also require that an applicant facilitate an inspection of the relevant premises before registration is granted.
When applications are required
An application for the initial registration of premises (excluding existing premises during the transitional period) should preferably be made at least 3 months before it is intended to commence to provide veterinary services at the premises. For premises that are being constructed to be used for the provision of veterinary services, an even longer period (preferably 6 months) should be considered. A failure to make an application within these timeframes may result in insufficient time for the Board to consider the application and to register the premises by the time that the applicant wishes to commence their practice at the relevant premises, especially if an applicant must rectify any deficiencies that are identified as part of the registration process. (There may be a facility to obtain provisional registration, but this will depend on the circumstances.)
You must apply to:
- Conduct veterinary services from premises that are not already approved as veterinary premises.
- Renew the registration of any veterinary premises.
- Relocate a veterinary premises from an approved premises location to a new location.
- Change an approved veterinary premises to a different category of premises:
- Consulting/examination rooms to surgery/clinic
- Surgery/clinic to hospital/emergency care.
- Transfer, remove or reinstate the registration of any veterinary premises.
Subject to the Act, registration of premises on the veterinary premises register remains in force for a period of 12 months.
The Board may refuse to grant an application for registration or renewal of a veterinary premises, if:
- it is not satisfied that the premises meet the minimum requirements for premises of the relevant kind, as provided by Schedules 1 and 2; or
- there is no responsible person in respect of the registered premises; or
- any other requirement determined by the Board to be necessary for registration of the premises has not been met.
- Conditions of approval
Section 42(5) of the Act provides that the Board may impose conditions on premises’ registration.
The Board has determined that the following conditions will apply in relation to the registration of any premises:
- that any veterinary services provided at the premises must be provided by a veterinarian;
- that any business name used in respect of the premises, including a business name registered with ASIC, must not use words such as “hospital,” , “emergency” or “specialist” unless the premises meets the required prescribed standards for a veterinary hospital/emergency/specialist;
- that the names and qualifications (as recorded in the relevant register under the Act) of each veterinarian who works at the premises must be kept on display (and the website for the premises is suitable if kept up to date), other than for a veterinarian who is working on a temporary basis for 1 month or less;
- that the responsible person in respect of the premises must inform the Board within 3 months of any change occurring in the information required to be included in the veterinary premises register;
- that the responsible person in respect of the premises must notify the Board before work is commenced to undertake material renovations or alterations of the premises;
- that the responsible person in respect of the premises must inform the Board within 14 business days if the premises cease to comply with any of the standards that apply with respect to the premises under Schedule 1 and/or 2;
- that the responsible person in respect of the premises must inform the Board about a proposed sale or transfer of the premises within –
- if the responsible person is an owner of the premises – 10 business days after an agreement to sell or transfer the premises has been entered into; or
- in any other case – 10 business days after the responsible person becomes aware of an agreement to sell or transfer the premises;
- that the responsible person in respect of the premises must 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;
- a significant or repeated failure to comply with the Standards is a breach of the conditions on registration.
- [other conditions determined by the Board for the purposes of these standards].
Under section 42(6) of the Act, the Board may, at any time, on its own initiative by written notice to a responsible person in respect of registered premises or on application by a responsible person in respect of registered premises, vary or revoke a condition imposed by the Board on the registration. The variation of a condition of registration may include the imposition of an additional condition of registration.
Exceptions on registration
Should the premises not be able to meet a specific requirement under these standards, the Board may consider in exceptional circumstances the ability for the premises to be registered, or continue to be registered, by allowing an exception from the particular requirement.
An exemption under this clause may be granted on application or renewal of registration and subject to conditions imposed by the Board.
Responsible persons
Section 41 of the Act provides that there mustbe a responsible person in respect of each registered premises.
The responsible person in respect of registered premises is:
- in the case of premises owned or occupied by an individual, that person; or
- 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.
Information about who is to be the responsible person in respect of particular premises must be provided to the Board in accordance with Schedule 1 or 2. The Board considers that best practice is that the responsible person is a veterinarian. A prescribed fee may be payable in relation to the nomination of the responsible person in respect of registered premises.
Provisional registration
The Board has established a scheme for the initial registration of premises in appropriate cases. This registration may be granted by the Executive Officer under a delegation made by the Board and may be granted if the Executive Officer is satisfied that it is appropriate to grant registration before the application has been fully assessed, including by the inspection of the premises, and pending all work or steps being completed or taken to ensure that all relevant requirements are met.
This registration may be granted for a period not exceeding 6 months and may be subject to conditions determined by the Executive Officer under the delegation made by the Board.
Change of details
ection 48 of the Act requires the responsible person in respect of a registered premises 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. A breach of this requirement may result in the imposition of a criminal penalty.
An application to make any change to the information required to be included in the veterinary premises register must—
- be made to the Board using the appropriate form set out in Schedule 1 or 2; and
- be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
For a complete change of ownership, continuing Board approval of premises under new ownership will be dependent on receipt by the Board of advice from the purchaser that the premises comply with any of the standards that apply with respect to the premises under Schedule 1 and 2.
Inspections
Inspectors appointed by the Board will inspect premises which have not been previously registered as a premises before the Board finalises its consideration of the relevant application and therefore before the practice may commence to provide veterinary services to the public at those premises.
An inspection may also be required if:
- there has been a transfer of the ownership of registered premises, or a transfer of a business consisting of, or including, the provision of veterinary services at registered premises; or
- registered premises have been the subject of material renovations or alterations; or
- an application for reinstatement of premises on the veterinary premises register has been made to the Board; or
- the Board has received a complaint that relates to the state or standard of registered premises; or
- the Board considers that an inspection should be undertaken on any other reasonable ground.
In addition, to ensure premises are complying with the Standards, the Board will undertake random audits of selected premises each year within a 3-year term of registration.
Suspension or cancellation of registration
ection 43 of the Act provides that if the Board is satisfied that:
- registered premises do not meet the minimum requirements in the veterinary premises standard; or
- a condition imposed on the registration of the registered premises have been contravened; or
- there is no responsible person in respect of the registered premises; or
- any other requirement determined by the Board to be necessary for registration of the premises has not been met,
the Board may, by notice in writing:
- suspend the registration of the premises until stipulated conditions are complied with or until further order of the Board; or
- cancel the registration of the premises.
There must not be any veterinary services provided at the premises while registration is suspended.
The Board will not take action to suspend or cancel the registration of premises unless it has taken reasonable steps to give the responsible person, or another person who has, or appears to have, an interest in the practice conducted at the premises:
- notice that the suspension or cancellation of registration is under consideration and the reasons for this proposed course of action; and
- an opportunity to explain the situation and, to the extent that appears appropriate to the Board, an opportunity to address or rectify the matter.
However, the requirements for giving notice and allowing an opportunity to respond to the notice, including to address or rectify a matter, do not derogate from the ability of the Board to act without notice (or to act with relatively short notice) in a case of an emergency
Removal from register
A responsible person may apply to remove a registered premises from the veterinary premises register. An application must:
- be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
- be made to the Executive Officer using the appropriate form; and
Reinstatement on register
A person may apply to the Board at any time for reinstatement of the premises on the register.
An application must:
- be made to the Board using the appropriate form set out in Schedule 1 or 2; and
- be accompanied by the prescribed fee.
Certificate of approval
The Board will issue a certificate of approval in relation to each veterinary premises that are registered under section 39(1)(a) the Act.
The certificate will be issued to the responsible person in respect of the veterinary premises.
The certificate of approval should be stored for production as evidence of the registration of the premises under the Act and may be displayed at the premises as an indication to clients that the premises have been registered.
List of registered veterinary premises
The Board maintains:
- a veterinary premises register; and
- a register of premises that have been removed from the veterinary premises register under the Act.
These are available of the VSRBSA website.
Signage
Signage used at registered premises must complement the facility and conform to any requirements of the Veterinary Services Act 2023, Veterinary Services Regulations 2025 or other VSRBSA guidelines, standards, Codes or policies or procedures.
Fees
Any application relating to the registration of veterinary premises must be accompanied by a prescribed fee. The Board prescribes fees and these can be found on the website relating to each category of premises.
Transitional provisions
The Board strongly encourages owners of existing veterinary premises and veterinary practices to review these standards with the aim of updating their premises to such extent as is reasonably necessary and within a reasonable period after the commencement of the Act.
In addition, in the case of existing veterinary premises the following is being proposed:
- the Board will request the person registered as a veterinary services provider in respect of the premises to provide information about the premises according to a schedule determined by the Board for the purposes of this provision; and
- the person to whom the request is given will be asked to provide the information within a period determined by the Board; and
- the Executive Officer will, if or when satisfied with the information provided to the Board, may grant registration of the relevant premises under a delegation made by the Board; and
- the registration may be granted for a period of up to 3 years (as determined by the Executive Officer) to enable the premises to meet all requirements for registration under the Act; and
- it will be a requirement that all premises must be registered by the first anniversary of the commencement of the Act; and
- a person will be in breach of the Act if there is a failure to provide the information and other requirements under this scheme so that registration of existing premises is not achieved by the first anniversary of the commencement of the Act and they provide veterinary services at those premises without the premises being registered.
For Hospitals, their existing registration with Board will apply under the new Act for the remainder of their period of accreditation under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 – see Schedule 1 of the Act.
Self-assessment checklist
PRESCRIBED STANDARDS – Self Assessment Form
| The veterinary premises must be a dedicated fully enclosed area exclusively used as veterinary premises. | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| The veterinary premises including the immediate surrounding areas must be kept clean, hygienic and in a sanitary condition, free of insects and vermin, with safeguards taken to avoid sources of transmission of infections. | ð Yes ðNo |
| The veterinary premises should have internal walls and floors constructed from easily cleaned material in any area or room that is used for animal accommodation, surgical procedures, medical treatment, and other procedures, and in the client waiting rooms. | ð Yes ðNo ðNA |
| Have a separate area for use as a waiting room for the purpose of client reception. *Photo to be uploaded with the application of the waiting room. | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| Adequate ventilation to ensure client, patient and staffing comfort in terms of temperature and air quality. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| An individual single purpose examination/consultation area not incorporated with public areas, one for each clinician examining or consulting concurrently. *Photo to be uploaded with the application of the examination/consultation area. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| In the consulting area have:An examination table with impervious surfaces; and provide either in or immediately adjacent to the consulting area hot and cold running water and fixed drainage. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| Adequate lighting and instrumentation to carry out a competent clinical examination and surgical lighting where required. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| Have facilities for any excreta, putrescible waste, soiled bedding, and carcasses to be stored in such a way and disposed of at intervals sufficient to avoid:The generation of offensive odours;Offensive appearance; andThose materials becoming a hazard to health. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| Provide adequate cooling or heating and ventilation of any area in which any kennel, cage, or stalls in situated, individual cage heating is acceptable. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| Insect screening on all doors and windows that are intended to be left open for ventilation. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| Safeguards installed on doors to prevent the escape of patients brought into the premises and to always ensure the effective confinement of animals. This standard extends to exercising/toileting facilities. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| Have appropriate facilities for the disposal of sharps and clinical waste. | ð Yes ðNo |
| Any vehicle/s used in connection with the premises used for house calls and mobile clinics, meets all regulatory and licensing requirements. *Photo to be uploaded with the application of the vehicle’s interior and exterior. | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| Have on prominent display, the telephone number and days and hours of attendance and arrangements for obtaining after hours services, including any website, or answering service. | ð Yes ð No |
| Where veterinary premises are located within the confines of a multi-use complex, premises are independent and separate from those of any other tenant or business type without direct public traffic ways between them. This includes airflow and doorways. | ð NA ð Yes ð No |
| Standard of equipment and fittings in terms of age and suitability commensurate with range of procedures to be undertaken and physical attribute of premises. | ð Yes ð No |
| Facilities to weigh small animal patients. | ð Yes ð No |
| The ability to maintain, store and retrieve case records of veterinary examinations, procedures, tests, and treatments performed and maintained for all patients, and the confidentiality of these records must be ensured. (see VSRBSA Record Keeping Guidelines) | ð Yes ð No |
| Storage/security, labelling, recording of restricted and controlled drugs must meet SA Health requirements, including secure storage as required by the Controlled Substances Act 1984. | ð Yes ð No |
| Kennels/cages/stables of sufficient size for the type of animal housed, constructed of solid impervious material, with no sharp edges or points on which the patient can injure itself and have adequate latching device to hold the patient securely and be able to be readily cleaned and disinfected, adequately drained and maintained in a sanitary condition to ensure comfort. *Photo to be uploaded with the application of the kennels/cages/stables. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| The premises must have a policy and/or procedure which outlines how the premises will provide facilities that allow for the prevention of the spread of contagious disease between patients including the provision of isolation facilities for animals:With suspected infectious diseases; Treated with chemical or radioactive substances that may be harmful to staff. When not occupied by such cases, it is acceptable for the area to be used for normal ward functions after adequate sterilization. *A copy of the policy and/or procedures to be uploaded with the application. | ð Yes ð No |
| Animals recovering from surgery must be kept in a warm, safe, and easily visible and accessible area with appropriate bedding/padding. There should be a dedicated area if recovering on floors. Recovery should not be in areas frequented by the public. | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| Procedures for the safe and secure exercising and toileting of patients. | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| A defined area for the hygienic preparation and storage of patients food. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| Afacilityfor bathing and grooming of in-patients separate and apart from the surgical and examination areas. | ð Yes ðNo |
| Where surgical services are offered there should be facilities for adequate storage and sterilisation of appropriate surgical instruments and equipment. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| Surgical table of impervious material which can be readily cleaned and disinfected. | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| Where general anaesthetics are administered, provide facilities and equipment for anaesthesia, oxygen provision and resuscitation of patients (e.g. an emergency kit and the ability to give positive pressure ventilation) and for routine procedures within business hours, have a trained assistant for the purpose of anaesthetic monitoring and to assist in maintaining sterility. | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| A separate area for staff privacy (e.g. an office, lunchroom etc) | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| Comply with safety standards, local authority by-laws or other applicable requirements that may apply. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| BOARDING FACILITIES – Are Boarding Facilities to be incorporated in the veterinary premises? If yes, areas incorporating accommodation compartments located in a separate area equipped with adequate lighting, heating, and/or cooling, ventilation and if possible, soundproofing – individual cage heating is acceptable. | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| MOBILE ONLY – A formal arrangement must be in place with an approved veterinary premises equipped to deal with cases that require referral or medical attention in the event the veterinarian is unavailable. A letter from the practice must be submitted with this application confirming this arrangement. The letter must be on letterhead and the name and signature of the practice owner or the responsible person. | ð Yes ðNo ð Letter attached |
Large animals No large animals seen at the practice ð NA
| Sufficient area to facilitate the safe loading and unloading of large animals and movement of such transport used in the delivery of these animals. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| Suitable form of stable or secure yard to hold animals on admission. | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| A suitable grassed or surfaced area where horses can be safely examined. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| If there is an enclosed secure solid structure, it must be able to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected if needed. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
| Where warranted by the type of examination to be conducted, a set of examination stocks and/or squeeze crush. | ð Yes ðNo ð NA |
| Suitable building, stable or secure safe yard, free from dust and enclosed, to allow for easy and proper sterilisation, provision for recovery from anaesthesia (if to be performed) and safely equipped for both animal and personnel safety. | ð Yes ð No ð NA |
Complete the following if radiology and pathology services are intended to be undertaken.
RADIOLOGY ðNA
If radiographic services are offered, then the services should comply with EPA requirements. Radiation Licensing
| X-ray equipment and facilities capable of producing diagnostic radiographs appropriate to the range and size of animals seen at the practice. | ð Yes ð No |
| Equipment must be maintained, registered and the operator licensed as required under the Radiation Protection and Control Act 2021. | ð Yes ð No |
LABARATORY ð NA
| A separate area should be provided with adequate bench space and equipment for the examination of blood, serum, urine, and faecal specimens or, demonstrable access to the usage of professional services in haematology, chemistry, bacteriology, parasitology, and pathology if these services are not carried out in the building. | ð Yes ðNo |
| Refrigeration for laboratory use, which may be used for vaccine storage. | ð Yes ð No |
An inspection of the premises by the Board can be avoided if a reasonable amount of information is provided with your registration application. Please include any additional information in support of your application below and/or attach photographic evidence.