{"id":"sl-2018-28","name":"Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018","slug":"veterinary-practice-regulation-2018","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"28 of 2018","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173926,"registerId":"act-sl-2018-28-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nSL2018-28\nmade under the\nVeterinary Practice Act 2018\nRepublication No 3\nEffective: 16 July 2025\nRepublication date: 16 July 2025\nLast amendment made by A2025-20\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018, made under the Veterinary\nPractice Act 2018 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3\n(Editorial changes)) as in force on 16 July 2025. It also includes any commencement,\namendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 16 July 2025.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR3\n16/07/25\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nmade under the\nVeterinary Practice Act 2018\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation 2\n3 Dictionary 2\n4 Notes 2\nPart 2 Restricted acts of veterinary science\n5 Restricted act of veterinary science—Act, s 7 (1) 3\n5A Tooth cleaning—Act, s 10 (4), def prescribed circumstance 3\nPart 3 Registration information\n6 Definitions—pt 3 4\n7 Application information—Act, s 16 (2) (h) 4\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\nR3\n16/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n8 Sharing registration information—Act, s 139 (1) (b) 4\nPart 4 Annual general meeting of veterinary\nprofession\n9 Calling annual general meeting 5\n10 Notice of annual general meeting 5\n11 Information to be provided in relation to annual general meeting 5\n12 Presiding member 6\n13 Comments to be taken 6\n14 Annual general meeting may coincide with board meeting 6\nSchedule 1 Restricted acts of veterinary science 7\nPart 1.1 Definitions 7\n1.1 Definitions—sch 1 7\n1.2 Disapplication of Legislation Act, s 47 (6) 8\nPart 1.2 Restricted acts of veterinary science 9\nDictionary 12\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 14\n2 Abbreviation key 14\n3 Legislation history 15\n4 Amendment history 15\n5 Earlier republications 16\n\nR3\n16/07/25\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nmade under the\nVeterinary Practice Act 2018\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\nR3\n16/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation\nThis regulation is the Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018.\n3 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this regulation defines certain terms used in\nthis regulation, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other\nterms defined elsewhere in this regulation.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘microchip, for schedule 1\n(Restricted acts of veterinary science)—see section 1.1.’ means that the\nterm ‘microchip’ is defined in that section for schedule 1.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire regulation unless the definition, or another provision of the\nregulation, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears\n(see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n4 Notes\nA note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of this\nregulation.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n\nRestricted acts of veterinary science Part 2\nSection 5\nR3\n16/07/25\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Restricted acts of veterinary\nscience\n5 Restricted act of veterinary science—Act, s 7 (1)\nAn act of veterinary science mentioned in schedule 1, part 1.2 is a\nrestricted act of veterinary science.\n5A Tooth cleaning—Act, s 10 (4), def prescribed\ncircumstance\nCarrying out tooth cleaning on an animal other than a horse if—\n(a) the cleaning is done by a person who holds a Certificate IV in\nVeterinary Nursing; and\n(b) the animal is anaesthetised during the cleaning.\n\nPart 3 Registration information\nSection 6\npage 4 Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\nR3\n16/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Registration information\n6 Definitions—pt 3\nIn this part:\ncorresponding law—see the Act, section 139 (2).\nletter of professional standing means a written statement from a\nrelevant authority about—\n(a) the length of time that a person has been registered as a\nveterinary practitioner by the relevant authority; and\n(b) the person’s registration number; and\n(c) any conditions (whether or not current) imposed on the person’s\nregistration by the relevant authority.\nrelevant authority—see the Act, section 139 (2).\n7 Application information—Act, s 16 (2) (h)\nIf an applicant for registration under the Act, section 16, is currently,\nor has previously been, registered as a veterinary practitioner in\nanother State, the application must contain a letter of professional\nstanding in relation to the applicant.\n8 Sharing registration information—Act, s 139 (1) (b)\nInformation included in a letter of professional standing prepared or\nreceived by the board is prescribed information for the Act,\nsection 139 (1) (b).\n\nAnnual general meeting of veterinary profession Part 4\nSection 9\nR3\n16/07/25\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 4 Annual general meeting of\nveterinary profession\n9 Calling annual general meeting\nThe board must call an annual general meeting within 4 months after\nthe end of a financial year.\n10 Notice of annual general meeting\n(1) The board must give each registered veterinary practitioner the\nfollowing information about the annual general meeting:\n(a) the date and time;\n(b) the address where the meeting is to be held;\n(c) the agenda for the meeting;\n(d) the place or website where further information about the\nmeeting may be obtained.\n(2) The board must give notice of the annual general meeting by—\n(a) publishing the notice on the board’s website; and\n(b) any other way the board considers appropriate.\n(3) The board must give the notice at least 4 weeks before the day the\nannual general meeting is held.\n11 Information to be provided in relation to annual general\nmeeting\nThe board must give a person attending an annual general meeting\nthe following information:\n(a) the agenda for the meeting;\n(b) a copy of a report of the activities of the board for the financial\nyear prepared by the president;\n\nPart 4 Annual general meeting of veterinary profession\nSection 12\npage 6 Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\nR3\n16/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) a copy of a report for the financial year prepared by the president\non the following:\n(i) the fees payable by veterinary practitioners under the Act;\n(ii) any increases in fees that have been proposed by the board;\n(iii) any remuneration paid or payable to members of the board.\n12 Presiding member\n(1) The president of the board is to preside at an annual general meeting.\n(2) If the president is absent from the meeting, a person elected by the\nmembers of the board present at the meeting is to preside at the\nmeeting.\n13 Comments to be taken\nThe person presiding at an annual general meeting is to take\ncomments from registered veterinary practitioners present at the\nmeeting in relation to matters on the agenda including—\n(a) any proposed increase in fees payable by veterinary practitioners\nunder the Act; and\n(b) any proposed increase in remuneration payable to members of\nthe board.\n14 Annual general meeting may coincide with board meeting\nThe annual general meeting may be held in conjunction with another\nmeeting of the board.\n\nRestricted acts of veterinary science Schedule 1\nDefinitions Part 1.1\nSection 1.1\nR3\n16/07/25\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSchedule 1 Restricted acts of veterinary\nscience\n(see s 5)\nPart 1.1 Definitions\n1.1 Definitions—sch 1\n(1) In this schedule:\nanaesthetic agent means an anaesthetic agent, including a narcoleptic\nagent, an analgesic, a sedative or a tranquilliser, mentioned in the\nmedicines and poisons standard, schedule 4 or schedule 8 as in force\nfrom time to time.\nNote Schedule 4 medicines are medicines (including prescription animal\nremedies) that are available from a pharmacy on prescription. Schedule 8\nmedicines are prescription medicines that have additional restrictions to\nreduce misuse or dependence. Each schedule includes some derivatives\nof the scheduled medicines.\nAS 5018-2001 means the Australian Standard AS 5018-2001\n(Electronic animal identification—National coding scheme) as in\nforce from time to time.\nAS 5019-2001 means the Australian Standard AS 5019-2001\n(Electronic animal identification—Radiofrequency methods) as in\nforce from time to time.\nmedicines and poisons standard—see the Medicines, Poisons and\nTherapeutic Goods Act 2008, section 15.\nmicrochip means a permanent identification device that—\n(a) is able to be permanently implanted in an animal; and\n(b) is designed to transmit stored information when activated by a\nreading device; and\n(c) complies with the requirements of AS 5019-2001; and\n\nSchedule 1 Restricted acts of veterinary science\nPart 1.1 Definitions\nSection 1.2\npage 8 Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\nR3\n16/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(d) contains a unique identification number—\n(i) that complies with the requirements of AS 5018-2001; and\n(ii) the first 3 digits of which are the manufacturer’s code,\nallocated to the manufacturer of the device by the\nInternational Committee for Animal Recording.\n1.2 Disapplication of Legislation Act, s 47 (6)\nThe Legislation Act, section 47 (6) does not apply to AS 5019-2001\nand AS 5018-2001 under this regulation.\nNote AS 5019-2001 and AS 5018-2001 may be purchased at\nwww.standards.org.au.\n\nRestricted acts of veterinary science Schedule 1\nRestricted acts of veterinary science Part 1.2\nR3\n16/07/25\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1.2 Restricted acts of veterinary\nscience\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nact of veterinary science\n1 examination or attendance on any animal for diagnosing the\nphysiological or pathological condition of the animal, including\nfor diagnosing pregnancy in a horse but not for diagnosing\npregnancy in any other animal\n2 carrying out any treatment, procedure or test on an animal that,\naccording to current standards of veterinary science practice, to\navoid harm or suffering to the animal, should not be undertaken\nwithout anaesthetising the animal (other than by a topical\nanaesthetic) or without sedating or tranquilising the animal\n3 administration of an anaesthetic agent (other than a topical\nanaesthetic) to an animal other than under the immediate and\ndirect supervision of a veterinary practitioner\n4 laparoscopic surgery on any animal\n5 mulesing of sheep 12 months old or older\n6 tailing of sheep 6 months old or older\n7 de-horning of cattle 12 months old or older\n8 de-horning of goats 1 month old or older\n9 removal of immature antlers in velvet from deer\n10 carrying out an artificial breeding procedure of an animal\ninvolving surgery\n11 castrating of cattle, sheep, goats, camels, deer, American bison,\nbuffalo or blackbuck that are 6 months old or older\n12 castrating pigs 2 months old or older\n13 castrating any other animal not mentioned in item 11 or 12\n\nSchedule 1 Restricted acts of veterinary science\nPart 1.2 Restricted acts of veterinary science\npage 10 Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\nR3\n16/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nact of veterinary science\n14 insertion of a microchip into a horse\n15 carrying out any treatment, procedure or test that involves the\ninsertion of anything into the nasal passage, nasal sinuses,\nthoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity, urethra, cranial\ncavity, spinal canal, tooth alveolar cavity, eye, orbital cavity,\ntympanic cavity, joint spaces or any other synovial cavity of any\nanimal other than an—\n(a) insertion into the mouth or oesophagus of an animal other\nthan the insertion of a tube into the oesophagus of a horse;\nor\n(b) insertion into the rectum of an animal other than a horse;\nor\n(c) insertion into the left flank of cattle or sheep to puncture\nthe rumen for the purpose of relieving acute bloat if the\nanimal is examined by a registered veterinary practitioner\nas soon as practicable after the puncture has been made; or\n(d) application of topical medication to the eye or ear cavity.\n16 carrying out any treatment, procedure or test involving the\ninsertion of anything into the uterus of a horse or the insertion of\nanything other than a thermometer into the rectum of a horse\n17 carrying out any dental procedure on any animal other than a\nhorse\n\nRestricted acts of veterinary science Schedule 1\nRestricted acts of veterinary science Part 1.2\nR3\n16/07/25\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ncolumn 1\nitem\ncolumn 2\nact of veterinary science\n18 carrying out a dental procedure on a horse that involves—\n(a) making an incision through the skin or oral mucosa; or\n(b) using a power tool on the horse; or\n(c) extracting a tooth by repulsion; or\n(d) entry below the gum line; or\n(e) maintaining or restoring correct dental function;\nbut not including—\n(f) cleaning, rasping, grinding or cutting the horse’s teeth; or\n(g) removing a loose tooth or deciduous tooth cap from the\nhorse\n19 insertion of a tube into the oesophagus or stomach of a horse\n20 diagnosing pregnancy in cattle by ultrasound\n21 artificial insemination of, or embryo transfer into, horses and\ncamelids\n22 taking tissue samples from live animals\n23 cattle spaying by flank and dropped-ovary method\n24 certifying animal disease status\n\nDictionary\npage 12 Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\nR3\n16/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 3)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis regulation.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:\n• AS (see s 164)\n• financial year\n• in relation to\n• Minister (see s 162)\n• State.\nNote 3 Terms used in this regulation have the same meaning that they have in\nthe Veterinary Practice Act 2018 (see Legislation Act, s 148). For\nexample, the following terms are defined in the Veterinary Practice\nAct 2018, dict:\n• board\n• president\n• registered veterinary practitioner\n• restricted act of veterinary science\n• veterinary science (see s 8).\nanaesthetic agent, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of veterinary\nscience)—see section 1.1.\nAS 5018-2001, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of veterinary\nscience)—see section 1.1.\nAS 5019-2001, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of veterinary\nscience)—see section 1.1.\ncorresponding law, for part 3 (Registration information)—see\nthe Act, section 139 (2).\nletter of professional standing, for part 3 (Registration\ninformation)—see section 6.\nmedicines and poisons standard, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of\nveterinary science)—see section 1.1.\n\nDictionary\nR3\n16/07/25\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nmicrochip, for schedule 1 (Restricted acts of veterinary science)—\nsee section 1.1.\nrelevant authority, for part 3 (Registration information)—see\nthe Act, section 139 (2).\n\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\npage 14 Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\nR3\n16/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR3\n16/07/25\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nVeterinary Practice Regulation 2018 SL2018-28\nnotified LR 20 December 2018\ns 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 2018 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 21 December 2018 (s 2 and see Veterinary\nPractice Act 2018 A2018-32, s 2 and CN2018-12)\nas amended by\nTransport Canberra and City Services Legislation Amendment\nAct 2023 A2023-27 pt 6\nnotified LR 7 July 2023\ns 1, s 2 commenced 7 July 2023 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 6 commenced 14 July 2023 (s 2)\nVeterinary Practice Amendment Act 2025 A2025-20 pt 3\nnotified LR 2 July 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 2 July 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\ns 20 commenced 16 July 2025 (s 2 (1))\npt 3 remainder awaiting commencement\n4 Amendment history\nCommencement\ns 2 om LA s 89 (4)\nTooth cleaning—Act, s 10 (4), def prescribed circumstance\ns 5A ins A2023-27 s 25\nNotice of annual general meeting\ns 10 am A2025-20 s 20\nRestricted acts of veterinary science\nsch 1 pt 1.2 am A2023-27 ss 26-30; item 18 pars renum R2 LA\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 16 Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018\nEffective: 16/07/25\nR3\n16/07/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR1\n21 Dec 2018\n21 Dec 2018–\n13 July 2023\nnot amended new regulation\nR2\n14 July 2023\n14 July 2023–\n15 July 2025\nA2023-27 amendments by\nA2023-27\n© Australian Capital Territory 2025","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation appears to maintain its original scope as a technical implementation instrument under the Veterinary Practice Act 2018. The amendments visible in the history (A2023-27 and A2025-20) appear to be incremental updates—adding tooth cleaning provisions for vet nurses and updating meeting notice requirements—rather than significant expansions beyond the original purpose of defining restricted acts and administrative procedures for veterinary registration."},"complexity_factors":["24 specific restricted acts listed in Schedule 1 with varying age thresholds for different animals (e.g., sheep 6 months vs cattle 12 months for different procedures)","Nested exceptions within exceptions in Schedule 1 items 15 and 18 (e.g., 'insertion into cavities except mouth/oesophagus except tubes in horses')","Multiple external document references requiring dynamic incorporation (AS 5018-2001 and AS 5019-2001 standards for microchips, medicines and poisons standard)","Cross-references to parent Act (Veterinary Practice Act 2018) for definitions including 'board', 'president', 'registered veterinary practitioner'","Specific technical definitions for 'anaesthetic agent' tied to Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008 schedules","Disapplication of Legislation Act provision (s 47(6)) regarding incorporated standards"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation defines how veterinary practice is regulated in the ACT: it reserves certain clinical procedures to registered veterinary practitioners, permits specific tasks for qualified veterinary nurses, sets documentary requirements for interstate registration, and mandates an annual board meeting with notice and opportunities for vets to comment on fees and remuneration. \n\nIt affects vets, vet nurses, and animal owners—and matters for animal welfare, professional standards, registration transparency, and oversight of fees."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. Amendments have altered scope since the original instrument: a limited exception for tooth cleaning by Certificate IV veterinary nurses under anaesthesia was inserted (s5A via A2023-27), Schedule 1 (restricted acts) was amended (A2023-27, ss26–30), and AGM notice requirements were updated (A2025-20 s20). These changes adjust who may lawfully perform certain procedures and add or change administrative requirements for the board and applicants (see amendment history and endnotes)."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-references to other laws and instruments (Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act via the medicines and poisons standard; Legislation Act provisions referenced throughout).","Incorporation of external technical standards (AS 5018-2001 and AS 5019-2001) with a statutory disapplication of the Legislation Act s47(6) (sch 1, s1.1–1.2).","A detailed, enumerated list of restricted acts with age thresholds, species-specific entries and carve-outs (Schedule 1, part 1.2), increasing interpretive detail.","Targeted exemptions and conditional permissions (eg. tooth cleaning by Certificate IV nurse when anaesthetised—s5A) that create narrow compliance rules.","Administrative requirements tied to registration (letter of professional standing for interstate registrants—s7) and prescribed information-sharing (s8).","Prescriptive board governance rules for the AGM (notice periods, agenda, disclosure of fees and board remuneration—ss9–14), adding procedural compliance steps.","Amendment and commencement complexity recorded in endnotes (multiple amendment instruments and uncommenced parts), requiring attention to legislative history.","Use of signpost definitions and dictionary cross-links that spread definitions across the regulation (s3; dict; sch 1)."],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation identifies veterinary procedures reserved to registered veterinary practitioners (Schedule 1), prescribes registration-document requirements for interstate applicants, and sets how the veterinary board must run its annual general meeting. It also permits Certificate IV veterinary nurses to clean non‑horse teeth while the animal is anaesthetised (s5A). Mechanically it reallocates compliance costs to practitioners by specifying which acts are restricted and by imposing reporting and notice duties on the board, requires letters of professional standing for registration (s7), and gives the board limited discretion over information sharing (s8)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/veterinary-practice-regulation-2018","history":"/api/acts/veterinary-practice-regulation-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/veterinary-practice-regulation-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/veterinary-practice-regulation-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/veterinary-practice-regulation-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/veterinary-practice-regulation-2018/documents"}}