Deemed registration means that a veterinarian from a participating jurisdiction is treated as being registered under the Act even though they have not applied for primary registration on the general register in South Australia. It is specifically for veterinarians registered in other jurisdictions (outside SA) under a corresponding law. The purpose is to recognise veterinarians registered elsewhere, facilitating mobility, avoiding duplicative registration, while still ensuring safety, oversight and standards.
Registration
Section 33 of the Act defines what qualifies a veterinarian for deemed registration.
(a) the person’s principal place of residence is another jurisdiction; and
(b) the other jurisdiction is a participating jurisdiction; and
(c) the person is registered under the corresponding law of that other jurisdiction (being registration that corresponds to primary registration); and
(d) the person does not hold primary registration.
There is no time limit for deemed registration if the veterinarian continues to qualify pursuant to section 33 of the Act. However, ongoing consideration should be given to whether a veterinarian’s principal place of residence is in another jurisdiction. A person’s principal place of residence includes any jurisdiction which was, in the last 3 months, the person’s principal place of residence. If a veterinarian at any time does not qualify, they must apply for primary registration on the general register in South Australia.
Process
A person with deemed registration must inform the Board of their contact details within one month of providing veterinary services or engaging in other conduct as a veterinarian in South Australia. If their details change, they must notify the Board. Failure to do so carries a penalty. This can be done via our online form [link]
A person with deemed registration must provide:
- their name,
- telephone number,
- email address,
- personal and business address,
- jurisdiction of current registration and registration number,
- length of intended stay in South Australia and
- must within 3 months after changing their name, telephone number, email address or personal or business address, inform the Board in writing of the change.
NZ residents
New Zealand residents can deem in South Australia pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement 1997 that allows for the mutual recognition of regulatory standards for goods and the registration of occupations between the two countries.
Registration is required at a reduced fee, but New Zealand residents do not have to do an annual return.
Veterinarians deeming from New Zealand are subject to the same conditions and requirements as veterinarians who are deeming in South Australia from other Australian jurisdictions.
An application for registration should be made via our website.
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.
Fees
There is no fee for deeming registration in South Australia unless you are deeming from New Zealand. The cost for New Zealand residents deeming in South Australia is a reduced application and practice fee and can be found in the schedule of fees.
Conditions
If someone is deeming, they are authorised to provide veterinary services in SA, or to engage in other conduct as a veterinarian in SA, in the specialty in which they are taken to be registered.
Their authorisation matches the specialty or level of registration they hold under the corresponding law.
Deemed registration is subject to any conditions, limitations or restrictions on their registration in the other jurisdiction, and the Board has power to impose additional conditions.
If their registration in a participating jurisdiction is suspended, cancelled, or the person is disqualified, then the SA deemed registration is suspended or cancelled under the same terms, unless the Board waives or modifies those. The Board may also on application by the veterinarian, waive or modify any such restriction, limitation or condition if it thinks it appropriate in the circumstances or on its own initiative by written notice to the person, modify any such restriction, limitation or condition if it thinks it necessary to do so for the application of the restriction, limitation or condition in this State.
It is an offence to contravene a condition of deemed registration.
General registration in more than one jurisdiction
A veterinarian may maintain primary general registration in more than one jurisdiction for a variety of reasons, such as employer or insurance requirements, you own or operate veterinary premises in multiple jurisdictions and to operate as a specialist in jurisdictions (such as South Australia) where you must also be on the general register to be on the specialist register. However, to remain on the register you must permanently reside or intend to permanently reside in South Australia.