Graduates seeking registration as a veterinarian in South Australia must apply to the Board using our online application form. Successful applicants receive a lifelong registration number and access to the secure online portal for future interactions with the Board.
Application for Registration
Section 28 of the Act sets out the application requirements for registration. An individual is eligible for registration on the general register if they satisfy the Board that they;
(a) have qualifications recognised by the Board for the purposes of registration on the register to which the application relates; and
(b) have met the requirements determined by the Board to be necessary for the purposes of registration on that register; and
(c) are medically fit to provide veterinary services as a veterinarian; and
(d) are a fit and proper person to be registered on that register; and
(e) they are, unless exempted by the Board, insured in accordance with this Act; and
(f) they have, or propose to have, their principal place of residence in this State.
For the purposes of section 28(f), principal place of residence includes any jurisdiction which was, in the last 3 months, the person’s principal place of residence.
Process
An application for registration should be made online.
The registration application is a signed declaration. It is an offence under section 91 of the Act to provide false or misleading information in your application, and criminal penalties may apply. Section 13(a)(iii) of the Regulations also stipulates that providing information relating to veterinarian qualifications for registration knowing that the information is false or misleading in a material particular may be considered unprofessional conduct.
The following information will need to be submitted for consideration:
Photographic identification Current photographic identification such as a passport or the front and back of a driver’s licence which can be lodged through greenID [link]. Alternatively, provide a copy which must be in colour and certified as being a true and correct copy of the original document and a true likeness of the person presenting the document. For certification instructions, please refer to our information sheet on ‘Certifying Documents’ [link].
Academic results The Board may register graduates if they have completed the academic requirements but not yet had the relevant academic award conferred upon them.
The Board has partnered with MyEquals where an academic transcript can be shared directly to the Board via a secure online portal. If you are not able to use MyEquals, please contact the Board.
Evidence of name change Certified documentary evidence of any legal change of name if the applicant’s name differs from that shown on the degree certificate can be uploaded with your registration application.
Police Clearance National Police Certificate and/or International Police Check results issued within the last 12 months to be submitted via National Crime Check
Evidence of professional indemnity insurance Pursuant to section 52 of the Act, a veterinarian must not provide veterinary services for money or other consideration unless insured in a manner and to an extent determined by the Board.
Provisional Registration
Section 28(5) of the Act states that a person will be taken to have the qualifications recognised by the Board for the purposes of registration on a register, if that person is recognised by the educational institution at or through which they are obtaining the qualifications as having completed the academic requirements for those qualifications, but has not yet had the relevant academic award conferred upon them.
If it appears likely to the Executive Officer that the Board will grant an application for registration, the Executive Officer may provisionally register the applicant.
Supervision
A 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.
Fees
An application for registration must be accompanied with the prescribed fee being the application fee plus the annual practice fee for a graduate as per the fee notice.
Renewal and continuing obligations
Once registered, graduates must familiarise themselves with the laws, regulations, policies, codes and handbooks applicable to the provision of veterinary services. The Board has provided access to these resources online. They must also comply with all obligations of registered veterinarians under the Act, including but not limited to annual returns, maintaining insurance, declaring any changes to fitness/health, declaring any changes to personal details and engaging in continuing professional development. Graduate veterinarians may be subject to supervision in practice, see our information sheet [link] on supervision for further guidance.