A veterinary specialist is a registered veterinarian with an exceptionally high level of skill that is above that of a general practitioner. A specialist has undergone extensive advanced supervised training, culminating in the passing of a rigorous set of examinations.
Application for Registration
Applicants who wish to be registered as a specialist must also be registered on the general register in South Australia.
Veterinarians who are already registered as a veterinarian on the general register can apply for specialist registration through the veterinarian portal.
Veterinarians who are new to South Australia will need to apply for specialist registration concurrently with a general registration application via the application for registration form.
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.
Process
The Board will review and determine all applications for specialist registration. The Board’s eligibility requirements for specialist registration follows the approved degrees documented in the AVBC Specialist Eligibility Assessment Guide that outlines what meets the standards for specialist registration. This list does not preclude other categories, but the application process will be more complex. For more information or to preliminarily check eligibility see: SpecialistEligibilityAssessment-v3.pdf
An application for registration should be made online.
Fees
An application for general and specialist registration comprises the application fee and the annual practice fee for both general and specialist registration. An annual return does not attract an application fee and only the practice fee is required if the veterinarian is renewing registration.
See schedule of fees for more information.
Information to be provided
- Contact details
- Current photographic identification lodged through greenID (or National Crime Check if done together with police check)
- A declaration about whether the veterinarian has an impairment that detrimentally affects, or may detrimentally affect, medical fitness to provide veterinary services as a veterinarian that has not been previously disclosed to the Board
- Professional indemnity insurance information
- Whether the veterinarian has engaged in conduct that constitutes an offence punishable by imprisonment for 1 year or more
- Declaration about continuing professional development
Specialist applicants with AVBC recognised degree must also upload the following with their application:
- specialist veterinary qualification, certificate, diplomate status and translated to English, where applicable
- If you do not hold an AVBC specialist qualification you must contact the Board to discuss your application
The registration application is a statutory 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.
Ongoing obligations
Veterinarians registered as a specialist have the same professional obligations as veterinarians registered on the general register and must submit an annual return whether or not they wish to continue to practice.