Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018 (ACT)

Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018   

SL2018-28

made under the

Veterinary Practice Act 2018

Republication No 3

Effective:  16 July 2025

Republication date: 16 July 2025

Last amendment made by A2025‑20

About this republication

The republished law

This is a republication of the Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018, made under the Veterinary Practice Act 2018 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 16 July 2025.  It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 16 July 2025. 

The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3 and 4.

Kinds of republications

The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT legislation register at type="disc">

authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies

unauthorised republications.

The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication. Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.

This republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).

Uncommenced provisions and amendments

If a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol  U  appears immediately before the provision heading.  Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law are accessible on the ACT legislation register ( For more information, see the home page for this law on the register.

Modifications

If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol  M  appears immediately before the provision heading.  The text of the modifying provision appears in the endnotes.  For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95.

Penalties

At the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an individual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).

Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018

made under the

Veterinary Practice Act 2018

Contents

Page

Part 1      Preliminary

1            Name of regulation  2

3            Dictionary  2

4            Notes  2

Part 2      Restricted acts of veterinary science

5            Restricted act of veterinary science—Act, s 7 (1)  3

5A          Tooth cleaning—Act, s 10 (4), def prescribed circumstance                  3

Part 3      Registration information

6            Definitions—pt 3  4

7           Application information—Act, s 16 (2) (h)  4

8            Sharing registration information—Act, s 139 (1) (b)  4

Part 4      Annual general meeting of veterinary profession

9            Calling annual general meeting  5

10          Notice of annual general meeting  5

11          Information to be provided in relation to annual general meeting            5

12          Presiding member  6

13          Comments to be taken  6

14          Annual general meeting may coincide with board meeting  6

Schedule 1 Restricted acts of veterinary science  7

Part 1.1    Definitions  7

1.1          Definitions—sch 1  7

1.2Disapplication of Legislation Act, s 47 (6) 8

Part 1.2    Restricted acts of veterinary science  9

Dictionary12

Endnotes

1            About the endnotes  14

2            Abbreviation key  14

3            Legislation history  15

4            Amendment history  15

5            Earlier republications  16

Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018

made under the

Veterinary Practice Act 2018

Part 1Preliminary

1. Name of regulation

   This regulation is the Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018.

2. Dictionary

   The dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.

   Note 1The dictionary at the end of this regulation defines certain terms used in this regulation, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined elsewhere in this regulation.

   For example, the signpost definition ‘microchip, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of veterinary science)—see section 1.1.’ means that the term ‘microchip’ is defined in that section for schedule 1.

   Note 2A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to the entire regulation unless the definition, or another provision of the regulation, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).

3. Notes

   A note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of this regulation.

   NoteSee the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.

Part 2Restricted acts of veterinary science

1. Restricted act of veterinary science—Act, s 7 (1)

   An act of veterinary science mentioned in schedule 1, part 1.2 is a restricted act of veterinary science.

5ATooth cleaning—Act, s 10 (4), def prescribed circumstance

Carrying out tooth cleaning on an animal other than a horse if—

(a)the cleaning is done by a person who holds a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing; and

(b)the animal is anaesthetised during the cleaning.

Part 3Registration information

1. Definitions—pt 3

   In this part:

   corresponding law—see the Act, section 139 (2).

   letter of professional standing means a written statement from a relevant authority about—

   (a)the length of time that a person has been registered as a veterinary practitioner by the relevant authority; and

   (b)the person’s registration number; and

   (c)any conditions (whether or not current) imposed on the person’s registration by the relevant authority.

   relevant authority—see the Act, section 139 (2).

2. Application information—Act, s 16 (2) (h)

   If an applicant for registration under the Act, section 16, is currently, or has previously been, registered as a veterinary practitioner in another State, the application must contain a letter of professional standing in relation to the applicant.

3. Sharing registration information—Act, s 139 (1) (b)

   Information included in a letter of professional standing prepared or received by the board is prescribed information for the Act, section 139 (1) (b).

Part 4Annual general meeting of veterinary profession

1. Calling annual general meeting

   The board must call an annual general meeting within 4 months after the end of a financial year.

2. Notice of annual general meeting

   (1)The board must give each registered veterinary practitioner the following information about the annual general meeting:

   (a)the date and time;

   (b)the address where the meeting is to be held;

   (c)the agenda for the meeting;

   (d)the place or website where further information about the meeting may be obtained.

   (2)The board must give notice of the annual general meeting by—

   (a)publishing the notice on the board’s website; and

   (b)any other way the board considers appropriate.

   (3)The board must give the notice at least 4 weeks before the day the annual general meeting is held.

3. Information to be provided in relation to annual general meeting

   The board must give a person attending an annual general meeting the following information:

   (a)the agenda for the meeting;

   (b)a copy of a report of the activities of the board for the financial year prepared by the president;

   (c)a copy of a report for the financial year prepared by the president on the following:

   (i)the fees payable by veterinary practitioners under the Act;

   (ii)any increases in fees that have been proposed by the board;

   (iii)any remuneration paid or payable to members of the board.

4. Presiding member

   (1)The president of the board is to preside at an annual general meeting.

   (2)If the president is absent from the meeting, a person elected by the members of the board present at the meeting is to preside at the meeting.

5. Comments to be taken

   The person presiding at an annual general meeting is to take comments from registered veterinary practitioners present at the meeting in relation to matters on the agenda including—

   (a)any proposed increase in fees payable by veterinary practitioners under the Act; and

   (b)any proposed increase in remuneration payable to members of the board.

6. Annual general meeting may coincide with board meeting

   The annual general meeting may be held in conjunction with another meeting of the board.

Schedule 1Restricted acts of veterinary science

(see s 5)

Part 1.1Definitions

1.1Definitions—sch 1

(1)In this schedule:

anaesthetic agent means an anaesthetic agent, including a narcoleptic agent, an analgesic, a sedative or a tranquilliser, mentioned in the medicines and poisons standard, schedule 4 or schedule 8 as in force from time to time.

NoteSchedule 4 medicines are medicines (including prescription animal remedies) that are available from a pharmacy on prescription. Schedule 8 medicines are prescription medicines that have additional restrictions to reduce misuse or dependence. Each schedule includes some derivatives of the scheduled medicines.

AS 5018-2001 means the Australian Standard AS 5018-2001 (Electronic animal identification—National coding scheme) as in force from time to time.

AS 5019-2001 means the Australian Standard AS 5019-2001 (Electronic animal identification—Radiofrequency methods) as in force from time to time.

medicines and poisons standard—see the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008, section 15.

microchip means a permanent identification device that—

(a)is able to be permanently implanted in an animal; and

(b)is designed to transmit stored information when activated by a reading device; and

(c)complies with the requirements of AS 5019-2001; and

(d)contains a unique identification number—

(i)that complies with the requirements of AS 5018-2001; and

(ii)the first 3 digits of which are the manufacturer’s code, allocated to the manufacturer of the device by the International Committee for Animal Recording.

1.2Disapplication of Legislation Act, s 47 (6)

The Legislation Act, section 47 (6) does not apply to AS 5019-2001 and AS 5018-2001 under this regulation.

NoteAS 5019-2001 and AS 5018-2001 may be purchased at 1.2Restricted acts of veterinary science

column 1

item

column 2

act of veterinary science

1

examination or attendance on any animal for diagnosing the physiological or pathological condition of the animal, including for diagnosing pregnancy in a horse but not for diagnosing pregnancy in any other animal

2

carrying out any treatment, procedure or test on an animal that, according to current standards of veterinary science practice, to avoid harm or suffering to the animal, should not be undertaken without anaesthetising the animal (other than by a topical anaesthetic) or without sedating or tranquilising the animal

3

administration of an anaesthetic agent (other than a topical anaesthetic) to an animal other than under the immediate and direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner

4

laparoscopic surgery on any animal

5

mulesing of sheep 12 months old or older

6

tailing of sheep 6 months old or older

7

de-horning of cattle 12 months old or older

8

de-horning of goats 1 month old or older

9

removal of immature antlers in velvet from deer

10

carrying out an artificial breeding procedure of an animal involving surgery

11

castrating of cattle, sheep, goats, camels, deer, American bison, buffalo or blackbuck that are 6 months old or older

12

castrating pigs 2 months old or older

13

castrating any other animal not mentioned in item 11 or 12

14

insertion of a microchip into a horse

15

carrying out any treatment, procedure or test that involves the insertion of anything into the nasal passage, nasal sinuses, thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity, urethra, cranial cavity, spinal canal, tooth alveolar cavity, eye, orbital cavity, tympanic cavity, joint spaces or any other synovial cavity of any animal other than an—

(a)       insertion into the mouth or oesophagus of an animal other than the insertion of a tube into the oesophagus of a horse; or

(b)      insertion into the rectum of an animal other than a horse; or

(c)       insertion into the left flank of cattle or sheep to puncture the rumen for the purpose of relieving acute bloat if the animal is examined by a registered veterinary practitioner as soon as practicable after the puncture has been made; or

(d)      application of topical medication to the eye or ear cavity.

16

carrying out any treatment, procedure or test involving the insertion of anything into the uterus of a horse or the insertion of anything other than a thermometer into the rectum of a horse

17

carrying out any dental procedure on any animal other than a horse

18

carrying out a dental procedure on a horse that involves—

(a)       making an incision through the skin or oral mucosa; or

(b)      using a power tool on the horse; or

(c)       extracting a tooth by repulsion; or

(d)      entry below the gum line; or

(e)       maintaining or restoring correct dental function;

but not including—

(f)       cleaning, rasping, grinding or cutting the horse’s teeth; or

(g)      removing a loose tooth or deciduous tooth cap from the horse

19

insertion of a tube into the oesophagus or stomach of a horse

20

diagnosing pregnancy in cattle by ultrasound

21

artificial insemination of, or embryo transfer into, horses and camelids

22

taking tissue samples from live animals

23

cattle spaying by flank and dropped-ovary method

24

certifying animal disease status

Dictionary

(see s 3)

Note 1The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to this regulation.

Note 2For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:

·     AS (see s 164)

·     financial year

·     in relation to

·     Minister (see s 162)

·     State.

Note 3Terms used in this regulation have the same meaning that they have in the Veterinary Practice Act 2018 (see Legislation Act, s 148). For example, the following terms are defined in the Veterinary Practice Act 2018, dict:

·     board

·     president

·     registered veterinary practitioner

·     restricted act of veterinary science

·     veterinary science (see s 8).

anaesthetic agent, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of veterinary science)—see section 1.1.

AS 5018-2001, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of veterinary science)—see section 1.1.

AS 5019-2001, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of veterinary science)—see section 1.1.

corresponding law, for part 3 (Registration information)—see the Act, section 139 (2).

letter of professional standing, for part 3 (Registration information)—see section 6.

medicines and poisons standard, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of veterinary science)—see section 1.1.

microchip, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of veterinary science)—see section 1.1.

relevant authority, for part 3 (Registration information)—see the Act, section 139 (2).

Endnotes

1. About the endnotes

   Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the amendment history.  Current modifications are not included in the republished law but are set out in the endnotes.

   Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.

   Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law.  The details of these laws are underlined in the legislation history.  Uncommenced expiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.

   If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering. 

   The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.

2. Abbreviation key

A = Act	NI = Notifiable instrument
AF = Approved form	o = order
am = amended	om = omitted/repealed
amdt = amendment	ord = ordinance
AR = Assembly resolution	orig = original
ch = chapter	par = paragraph/subparagraph
CN = Commencement notice	pres = present
def = definition	prev = previous
DI = Disallowable instrument	(prev...) = previously
dict = dictionary	pt = part
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative	r = rule/subrule
Assembly	reloc = relocated
div = division	renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired	R[X] = Republication No
Gaz = gazette	RI = reissue
hdg = heading	s = section/subsection
IA = Interpretation Act 1967	sch = schedule
ins = inserted/added	sdiv = subdivision
LA = Legislation Act 2001	SL = Subordinate law
LR = legislation register	sub = substituted
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996	underlining = whole or part not commenced
mod = modified/modification	or to be expired

1. Legislation history

   Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018 SL2018-28

   notified LR 20 December 2018
   s 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 2018 (LA s 75 (1))
   remainder commenced 21 December 2018 (s 2 and see Veterinary Practice Act 2018 A2018-32, s 2 and CN2018-12)

   as amended by

   Transport Canberra and City Services Legislation Amendment Act 2023 A2023-27 pt 6

   notified LR 7 July 2023
   s 1, s 2 commenced 7 July 2023 (LA s 75 (1))
   pt 6 commenced 14 July 2023 (s 2)

   Veterinary Practice Amendment Act 2025 A2025-20 pt 3

   notified LR 2 July 2025
   s 1, s 2 commenced 2 July 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
   s 20 commenced 16 July 2025 (s 2 (1))
   pt 3 remainder awaiting commencement

2. Amendment history

   Commencement

   s 2om LA s 89 (4)

   Tooth cleaning—Act, s 10 (4), def prescribed circumstance

   s 5Ains A2023‑27 s 25

   Notice of annual general meeting

   s 10am A2025‑20 s 20

   Restricted acts of veterinary science

   sch 1 pt 1.2am A2023‑27 ss 26-30; item 18 pars renum R2 LA

3. Earlier republications

   Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to the publication order. 

   Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register.  A selection of authorised republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1.  Electronic and printed versions of an authorised republication are identical.

Republication No and date	Effective	Last amendment made by	Republication for
R1 21 Dec 2018	21 Dec 2018–13 July 2023	not amended	new regulation
R2 14 July 2023	14 July 2023– 15 July 2025	A2023‑27	amendments by A2023‑27