{"id":"tas:sr-2022-114","name":"Veterinary Surgeons Regulations 2022","slug":"veterinary-surgeons-regulations-2022","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"114 of 2022","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":179832,"registerId":"tas-tas:sr-2022-114-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> These regulations may be cited as the [Veterinary Surgeons Regulations 2022](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2022-114) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> These regulations take effect on 14 December 2022.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> In these regulations –\n> \n> > ***Act*** means the [Veterinary Surgeons Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-104) .","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Services not included in veterinary services","content":"### 4 Services not included in veterinary services\n\n> For the purposes of the definition of *veterinary services* in [section 3(1)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-104#GS3@Gs1@EN) of the Act, the following are prescribed services:\n> \n> > > (a) tail docking of lambs that are 6 months old or less;\n> > \n> > > (b) mulesing of lambs that are 6 months old or less;\n> > \n> > > (c) deworming that does not involve oesophageal intubation (stomach tube);\n> > \n> > > (d) castration of oxen, sheep or goats that are 6 months old or less;\n> > \n> > > (e) castration of pigs that are 2 months old or less;\n> > \n> > > (f) sexing chickens;\n> > \n> > > (g) debeaking chickens;\n> > \n> > > (h) removal of horn, horn core and associated skin in goats, or oxen or sheep, that are 6 months old or less;\n> > \n> > > (i) removal of horn or antler buds from any species before the formation of horn or pedicels (antler bases);\n> > \n> > > (j) removal or partial removal of antlers or horns from any species, provided that no vascular or other living tissue is removed with the antler or horn;\n> > \n> > > (k) filing or rasping of horse teeth without the use of power tools;\n> > \n> > > (l) shoeing of horses;\n> > \n> > > (m) non-invasive massage;\n> > \n> > > (n) collection of faecal samples;\n> > \n> > > (o) collection of milk samples;\n> > \n> > > (p) collection of blood samples at the direction of a registered veterinary surgeon;\n> > \n> > > (q) administration of veterinary medicines, in accordance with the label approved under the Agvet Code of Tasmania in relation to that medicine, by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, oral administration (except oesophageal intubation) or application to any external body surface;\n> > \n> > > (r) anaesthetising and sedating of –\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) fish of the class *Osteichthyes*; or\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) sharks, rays, lampreys or other cartilaginous fish of the classes *Chondrichthyes* and *Agnatha*;\n> > \n> > > (s) giving of advice on the nutrition and management of animals;\n> > \n> > > (t) foot trimming;\n> > \n> > > (u) ear tagging, ear marking or ear tattooing of any species;\n> > \n> > > (v) branding of any species;\n> > \n> > > (w) examination for pregnancy by the external application of ultrasound scanning in any species;\n> > \n> > > (x) artificial insemination, provided that the semen is introduced via the vagina and cervical canal.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Exemption from registration","content":"### 5 Exemption from registration\n\n> > (1)  In this regulation –\n> > \n> > > ***Australasian Veterinary Boards Council*** means the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Incorporated (ABN 49 337 540 469);\n> > \n> > > ***National Veterinary Examination*** means the series of examinations set by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council, the successful completion of which provides a qualification that may enable a person who holds the qualification to be registered as a veterinary surgeon.\n> \n> > (2)  For the purpose of [section 11(2)(d)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-104#GS11@Gs2@Hpd@EN) of the Act, [section 11(1)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-104#GS11@Gs1@EN) of the Act does not apply in respect of a person practising veterinary surgery, or rendering a veterinary service, if the person –\n> > \n> > > > (a) has applied for, and received, approval from the Board to engage in such a practice or render such a service; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) has, within the previous 2-year period, passed all preliminary examinations set as part of the National Veterinary Examination; and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) is in the process of studying for the final examinations set as part of the National Veterinary Examination; and\n> > > \n> > > > (d) the practice is engaged in or the service is rendered under the supervision of a registered veterinary surgeon who is in the presence of the person while the person is engaging in the practice or rendering the service.\n> \n> > (3)  A person applying for an approval under [subregulation (2)(a)](#GS5@Gs2@Hpa@EN) is to pay the relevant fee.\n> \n> > (4)  For the purpose of [section 11(2)(d)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-104#GS11@Gs2@Hpd@EN) of the Act, [section 11(1)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-104#GS11@Gs1@EN) of the Act does not apply to a person rendering a veterinary service for the purposes of teaching or research if –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the veterinary service is being rendered on behalf of a licensed institution within the meaning of the [Animal Welfare Act 1993](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1993-063) ; and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the person rendering the veterinary service –\n> > > > \n> > > > > > (i) has, in the preceding 12 months, been assessed by a registered veterinary surgeon, nominated by the institution referred to in paragraph (a), as competent to render the veterinary service; or\n> > > > > \n> > > > > > (ii) is supervised by, and is rendering the veterinary service in the presence of, a registered veterinary surgeon nominated by the institution referred to in paragraph (a); and\n> > > \n> > > > (c) where the person has been assessed under paragraph (b)(i) as competent to render the veterinary service, the person is rendering the veterinary service within the authority of the registered veterinary surgeon who gave the assessment.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Details of register","content":"### 6 Details of register\n\n> For the purposes of [section 14(3)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-104#GS14@Gs3@EN) of the Act, the following are prescribed details:\n> \n> > > (a) the full name and honorary title of the person;\n> > \n> > > (b) the residential or business address of the person;\n> > \n> > > (c) the veterinary qualifications of the person;\n> > \n> > > (d) the date on which each qualification was obtained;\n> > \n> > > (e) the date on which the person was first registered;\n> > \n> > > (f) each approved speciality to which the registration of the person as a veterinary specialist relates, if the person is to be so registered.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Particulars and documents required for registration","content":"### 7 Particulars and documents required for registration\n\n> For the purposes of [section 18(2)](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1987-104#GS18@Gs2@EN) of the Act, an application for registration is to –\n> \n> > > (a) contain the following prescribed particulars:\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) the full name, honorary title and residential address of the applicant;\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) the proposed business address of the applicant, if known;\n> > > > \n> > > > > (iii) the speciality of the applicant, if any; and\n> > \n> > > (b) be accompanied by the following prescribed documents:\n> > > \n> > > > > (i) a certified copy of the qualifications of the applicant;\n> > > > \n> > > > > (ii) proof of identity of the applicant.\n\nDisplayed and numbered in accordance with the *[Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1953-050)*.\n\nNotified in the *Gazette* on 14 December 2022\n\nThese regulations are administered in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.","sortOrder":6}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulations remain tightly focused on their original purpose: operationalising the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1987 by defining exempt services, supervised practice exemptions, and registration administrative requirements. No scope creep detected."},"complexity_factors":["Only 3 defined terms in the interpretation section (Act, Australasian Veterinary Boards Council, National Veterinary Examination)","Single-level conditional logic in exemptions (must satisfy all listed criteria)","Extensive but straightforward list of 24 excluded services in regulation 4 (alphabetical list with simple age cut-offs)","Minimal cross-referencing — only references to specific sections of the parent Act and one other Act (Animal Welfare Act 1993)","No nested exceptions or 'exceptions to exceptions'","Short length (7 regulations total)","Clear prescriptive structure (prescribed services, prescribed details, prescribed documents)"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out the practical rules for who can practise veterinary surgery in Tasmania and what counts as 'veterinary services' under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1987.\n\n**What it does:**\n\n- **Defines what is NOT veterinary surgery** (so ordinary farmers and animal handlers don't need a vet licence). This includes common farm practices like tail docking lambs under 6 months, castrating young livestock, debeaking chickens, horse shoeing, foot trimming, ear tagging, branding, pregnancy scanning, and giving certain injections if following the medicine label. It also covers collecting samples (milk, faeces, blood if directed by a vet), non-invasive massage, and advice on animal nutrition.\n\n- **Creates exemptions from registration** for two groups:\n  - **Vet students** who have passed preliminary national exams and are studying for finals — they can practise under direct supervision of a registered vet who stays present.\n  - **Teaching and research staff** at licensed institutions — they can provide vet services if they've been assessed as competent by a registered vet in the past year, or if supervised by a registered vet.\n\n- **Sets out what information goes on the public register** of vets: name, address, qualifications, registration dates, and any specialities.\n\n- **Lists what documents you need to apply** to become a registered vet: your qualifications (certified copy), proof of identity, and contact details.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Farmers and animal owners (tells them what they can legally do themselves)\n- Veterinary students and researchers (sets conditions for practising without full registration)\n- Anyone applying to become a registered veterinary surgeon in Tasmania\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe rules draw a line between professional veterinary work (which requires registration) and routine animal husbandry that farmers have always done. They also create supervised pathways for students to gain practical experience without breaking the law."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"These regulations clarify and operationalise aspects of the Veterinary Surgeons Act rather than expanding its substantive reach: they list specific acts excluded from the statutory definition of 'veterinary services', set limited exemptions from registration with supervision and assessment conditions, and prescribe register contents and application requirements (regs 4–7)."},"complexity_factors":["Detailed list of prescribed non-veterinary services with species- and age-specific limits (reg 4)","Conditional registration exemptions tied to Board approval, exam progress and supervision (reg 5)","Cross-references to external instruments: the Veterinary Surgeons Act, the Agvet Code of Tasmania and the Animal Welfare Act (regs 3, 4(q), 5(4)(a))","A specified approval fee for trainee approvals (reg 5(3)) introducing an administrative cost","Prescribed register fields and required application documents that impose recordkeeping and identity-verification obligations (regs 6–7)","Administrative discretion for the Board to grant approvals and nominate supervising or assessing registered veterinary surgeons (reg 5)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What these regulations do:** They specify which animal procedures are not treated as 'veterinary services', set narrow registration exemptions for supervised trainees and for people working in licensed teaching or research institutions, require an approval fee for trainee approval, and prescribe what details and documents must appear on the veterinary register. They affect practising veterinary surgeons, trainees for the National Veterinary Examination, licensed institutions and registration applicants because they change who must be registered and what paperwork and supervision are required."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available metadata, there is no indication the scope has changed from the original intent. The regulation appears to have been in force since 14 December 2022 without amendment to date. However, because the substantive provisions are not included in the supplied text, a definitive scope assessment cannot be made."},"complexity_factors":["The document as provided contains only metadata and status information — no substantive regulatory content is present, making meaningful complexity assessment impossible","Veterinary registration regulations are generally administrative in nature and moderately straightforward compared to commercial or tax legislation","As a subordinate instrument (regulation under an Act), it operates within a defined legislative framework which adds a layer of cross-referencing complexity","Tasmania-specific rules may differ from other Australian jurisdictions, requiring practitioners to be aware of local variations"],"plain_english_summary":"This Tasmanian regulation sets the detailed rules for registration and regulation of veterinary surgeons, affecting practising vets, applicants for registration, veterinary businesses, and indirectly animal owners who use veterinary services.\n\nIt matters because it governs how vets qualify, maintain licences, pay fees, keep records, and face complaints — but the supplied document contains mainly metadata and not the substantive provisions, so specifics aren’t present here."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/veterinary-surgeons-regulations-2022","history":"/api/acts/veterinary-surgeons-regulations-2022/history","analysis":"/api/acts/veterinary-surgeons-regulations-2022/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/veterinary-surgeons-regulations-2022/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/veterinary-surgeons-regulations-2022/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/veterinary-surgeons-regulations-2022/documents"}}