FAQs

You must advise the Board if you have had a name change and supply a certified copy of change of name documentation. This can be done through the veterinarian portal on our website. There is no fee to change your name on the register. If for example you have married, you may still practice under your maiden name; however, you must practice under the name you have listed on the register and advise the Board that you are doing this despite having a legal change in name.

No, you do not have to give clients a copy of the clinical records, however you can if you choose to, and you may charge a fee. You may also provide a summary of the records instead of the entire record.

You do have to provide clinical records to another veterinarian or specialist nominated by the client, the Veterinary Services Regulatory Board of South Australia or an inspector appointed by the Board, or any other body authorised by law, if requested.

As a registered veterinarian you may be required to certify material facts relating to veterinary services, including but not limited to proof of vaccination or treatment, insurance claims or documentation for animal value, breeding or registration documents or official records for licensing or regulatory purposes. It is the veterinarian’s obligation to certify these personally, and having a process where others could stamp or electronically certify in your absence is not advised.

Yes, a veterinary nurse can perform a scale and polish of the teeth of an animal under the supervision of a veterinarian, in the ordinary course of their employment, or as a part of practical training undertaken for the purposes of an educational or vocational course.

Information regarding the use of medicinal cannabis in animals can be found in the following AVA guide https://www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/policies/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/use-of-medicinal-cannabis-in-animals/

Please see the Veterinary Premises Handbook on telemedicine for more information.

Any matters concerning bad reviews or publications about a veterinarian or a veterinary premises is a civil matter between the publisher and the veterinarian or premises. The VSRBSA has no remit to regulate such activity.

Veterinary nurses, technologists and support staff can microchip animals only if they are also a registered implanter. For more information, please check the Dog and Cat Management Board https://dogandcatboard.com.au/dogs/microchipping and refer to the VSRBSA vet nurse and technologist information sheet

A veterinarian is ultimately responsible for clinical records, so if the veterinarian is comfortable with this process and the competency of the veterinary nurse, then it is acceptable. It is advisable for the author to be familiar with what must be included and also the responsible veterinarian to check the notes thoroughly. For more information, please see the VSRBSA Record Keeping Guidelines as this is what the Board will reference when undertaking an investigation.

In relation to CPD, the VSRBSA leaves it to the retired veterinarian to assess based on how much they will practice. Some veterinarians will continue to work 30 days per year and would therefore need to ensure they are proficient with updated practices; others retire and do not work at all, so no CPD is required unless there is a decision to return to work.

If you provide veterinary services for money or other consideration in this State, you must be covered by your own, or third-party professional indemnity arrangements, which meet the Board’s requirements. In most circumstances, it is usual for an employee to be covered by their employer’s professional indemnity insurance policy.

Should you wish to seek an exemption from the requirements, you will need to set out your circumstances and the ground(s) for such a request in writing, addressed to the Board. You may wish to seek assistance in doing so from your professional advisor/insurance broker.

It is a matter for the veterinarian to make a clinical assessment of how regularly the animal must be seen. There may be a range of factors to take into account, including the breed of the animal, the condition of the animal, and the type of drug being prescribed. Veterinarians may only prescribe medication to bona fide clients (unless in an emergency). For more information, see the VSRBSA bona fide client information sheet.

If your principal place of residence is in Victoria, you must maintain registration in Victoria, and are permitted to deem in South Australia. Veterinarians who are deeming in South Australia must advise the Board of their arrival via our website within one month of deeming via our online form.

The National Recognition of Veterinary Registration (NRVR) across Australia allows veterinarians to move and practise across state borders. This has allowed freedom of movement for veterinarians, including those responding to national crises or working for national animal enterprises.

Veterinarians from other states and territories in Australia may deem in South Australia if they are registered in another state or territory. If a veterinarian’s primary place of residence becomes South Australia, they will then be required to register in South Australia, and adhere to any requirements of their original registering authority as a result of becoming registered in South Australia. Each jurisdiction has different requirements so it is important to check with the relevant Board.

Veterinarians who are deeming in South Australia must advise the Board of their arrival via our website within one month of deeming via our online form.

When taking maternity (or other extended leave), a veterinarian has two options. You can remove yourself from the register, which means you will have to apply to the Board on your return to work to be reinstated. Alternatively, you can renew under our Retired/Extended leave category, which means that you pay a reduced fee, can stay on the register and work up to 30 days per calendar year for money or other consideration.

Matters concerning scheduled drugs are not within the VSRBSA remit.

The DDU administers the Controlled Substances Act 1984 and regulates the use of specific monitored drugs. For veterinary enquiries specifically relating to the Controlled Substances Act 1984, and the legal requirements for prescribing, dispensing, storing and record keeping of specific monitored drugs in veterinary practice, please refer to the SA Health Drugs of Dependence Unit website, or contact the DDU at  [email protected] or on 1300 652 584. Please note, the DDU is not able to provide clinical advice or information to members of the public and is  only able to provide advice to health practitioners or veterinarians regarding their obligations under the controlled substances legislation.

The National Recognition of Veterinary Registration (NRVR) across Australia allows veterinarians to move and practise across state borders. This has allowed freedom of movement for veterinarians, including those responding to national crises or working for national animal enterprises.

Veterinarians from other states and territories in Australia may deem in South Australia if they are registered in another state or territory. If a veterinarian’s primary place of residence becomes South Australia, they will then be required to register in South Australia and adhere to any requirements of their original registering authority as a result of becoming registered in South Australia. Each jurisdiction has different requirements so it is important to check with the relevant Board.

Veterinarians who are deeming in South Australia must advise the Board of their arrival via our website within one month of deeming, via our online form.

If you choose not to renew, you will be removed from the register. If you wish to be reinstated to provide veterinary services in South Australia, you must apply to the Board to reinstate, and demonstrate what you have done in the time that you have not been registered. Please note that veterinarians who are not renewing their registration still need to complete an annual return.

The Executive Officer can give provisional registration once a student veterinarian has completed the academic requirements for the qualification, enabling the applicant to begin working as a veterinarian.

Yes, you can register as an overseas graduate despite the gap between your graduation and registration. The VSRBSA will consider each case on its merits and request any further information they may need to consider an application.

You do not need to wait until you have secured employment before registering. You must have registration prior to starting employment and providing veterinary services. You do not need to register from 1 January if you do not intend to immediately begin work. You can register at any point in the year to suit your prospective employment, as long as you are registered prior to providing veterinary services.

No, we do not provide third party invoices. We only issue taxation invoice receipts in the name of the veterinarian once payment has been processed. You may then pass this receipt on to a third party, if that is your preference for reimbursement purposes.

Investigations into veterinarians conduct and veterinary premises will be carried out as expeditiously as possible as per the complaints administrative processes but there is no set time frame as each case is assessed on its merits, and may have to be timed in with a Complaints Committee or Board meeting so the matter can be presented for consideration.

Yes, if you no longer permanently reside in South Australia you should be removed from the register.

The Board encourages all veterinarians to ensure that your insurance cover is commensurate to the veterinary services you are providing and potential civil liabilities.

More information about professional indemnity insurance can be found here