VETERINARY PRACTICE ACT 1997

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

• 1 Purposes  
• 2 Commencement  
• 3 Definitions  
• 3A Deemed general registration  
• 3B Deemed specialist endorsement  
• 3C Governor in Council may approve an approved person  

PART 2--REGISTRATION

Division 1--Procedure for obtaining registration

• 4 Application for registration  
• 5 Qualifications for general registration  
• 6 General registration  
• 7 Specific registration  
• 7AA Cancellation of specific registration if practitioner unable to comply with condition  
• 7A Non-practising registration  
• 8 Endorsement of registration as a specialist practitioner  
• 9 Entitlement of applicant to make submissions  
• 10 Notification of outcome of application  
• 11 Duration and renewal of registration  
• 12 Application for renewal of and refusal to renew registration  
• 13 Restoration of name to the register  
• 14 Effect of suspension of registration  
• 14A Registration may be surrendered  
• 15 Registration obtained by fraud  

Division 2--The Register

• 16 The Register  
• 16A Board may remove particulars of persons no longer registered or holding a specialist endorsement  
• 17 Certificates  
• 18 Use of certificate as evidence  
• 19 Requirement to notify the Board of change of address  

PART 3--INVESTIGATIONS INTO REGISTERED VETERINARY PRACTITIONERS

Division 1--Preliminary investigations into professional conduct

• 20 Complaints about the conduct of registered veterinary practitioners  
• 21 When complaints about professional conduct are to be investigated by the Board  
• 22 Outcome of preliminary investigation  
• 23 Power of Board to institute a hearing into professional conduct  
• 24 Suspension of, or imposition of conditions on, registration on decision to conduct investigation or hearing into conduct of veterinary practitioner  

Division 2--Preliminary investigation into the health of registered veterinary practitioners

• 25 Commencement of preliminary investigation  
• 26 Notification to veterinary practitioner  
• 26A Suspension of, or imposition of conditions on, registration if preliminary investigation to be conducted on health etc. of practitioner  
• 27 Examination as to health of practitioner  
• 28 Report of examination  
• 29 Outcome of preliminary investigation  
• 30 Referral to formal hearing  
• 31 Request for conditions, limitations or restrictions  
• 33 Immediate suspension of registration  

Division 3--Formal and informal hearings

• 34 Establishment and notification of an informal hearing  
• 35 Constitution of a panel for an informal hearing  
• 36 Notice of an informal hearing  
• 37 Conduct of an informal hearing  
• 38 Findings and determinations of an informal hearing  
• 39 Change of informal hearing to formal hearing during course of hearing  
• 40 Request for formal hearing upon completion of informal hearing  
• 41 Establishment and notification of formal hearing  
• 42 Constitution of a hearing panel for a formal hearing  
• 43 Notice of a formal hearing  
• 43A Preliminary conferences  
• 43B Requirements as to attendance at preliminary conference  
• 44 Conduct of a formal hearing  
• 45 Findings and determinations of a formal hearing into conduct  
• 46 Findings and determinations of a formal hearing into ability to practise  

Division 4--General provisions relating to investigations

• 47 Procedure at formal and informal hearings  
• 47A Conferences, meetings or hearings may be held by remote means.  
• 48 Powers of panel conducting a formal hearing  
• 49 Determinations  
• 50 Revocation of suspension or removal of condition, limitation or restriction  
• 50A Agreements to amend, vary or revoke conditions or revoke suspensions  
• 51 Reasons for determinations of panel or Board  
• 52 Notifications  
• 53 Offences to disclose information identifying complainant or witness  
• 54 Terms and conditions of appointment of panel members  

PART 4--REVIEW BY VICTORIAN CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL

• 55 Review by Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal  
• 56 Notification  

PART 5--OFFENCES

• 57 Claims by persons as to registration  
• 58 Fraud, forgery etc  
• 58A Offence to direct or incite unprofessional conduct  
• 59 Advertising  
• 60 Exemptions  

PART 6--ADMINISTRATION

• 61 Establishment of Board  
• 62 Powers, functions and consultation requirements  
• 63 Membership of the Board  
• 64 Terms of office  
• 65 Resignation and removal  
• 66 President and Deputy President  
• 67 Acting member  
• 68 Payment of members  
• 69 Procedure of Board  
• 70 Member's interests  
• 71 Resolutions without meetings  
• 72 Approved methods of communication for Board  
• 73 Effect of vacancy or defect  
• 74 Immunity  
• 75 Staff  
• 76 Delegation  
• 77 Duty of confidentiality  

PART 7--REPORTING AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

• 78 Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board Fund  
• 79 Investment powers  

PART 8--ENFORCEMENT AND SUPPLEMENTARY POWERS

• 80 Proceedings for offences  
• 80A Appointment of persons  
• 81 Identification  
• 82 Powers of entry with warrant  
• 83 Announcement before entry  
• 84 Copy of warrant to be given to occupier  
• 85 Copies or receipts to be given  
• 86 Powers of Board in relation to fees  
• 86A Infringement notices  

PART 9--GENERAL

• 87 Supreme Court—limitation of jurisdiction  
• 88 Regulations  

PART 10--SAVINGS, TRANSITIONAL AND AMENDMENTS

Division 1--Savings and transitional

• 89 Definitions  
• 90 Repeal  
• 91 Board succeeds old Board  
• 92 Proceedings before the old Board  
• 93 Application of this Act to conduct occurring before commencement of this Act  
• 94 Existing registrations  
• 95 Preparation of annual report  

PART 11--SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS ARISING FROM AMENDING ACTS

• 96 Transitional provision—Primary Industries Legislation Amendment Act 2014  
• 97 Primary Industries Legislation Amendment Act 2016—Transitional provision  
• 98 Transitional provisions—Agriculture Legislation Amendment Act 2022  
ENDNOTES