Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
Australian Capital Territory
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
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
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 www.legislation.act.gov.au):
• 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 (www.legislation.act.gov.au). 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).
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Australian Capital Territory
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
Contents
Page
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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
1.2 Disapplication of Legislation Act, s 47 (6) 8
Part 1.2 Restricted acts of veterinary science 9
Dictionary 12
Endnotes
1 About the endnotes 14
2 Abbreviation key 14
3 Legislation history 15
4 Amendment history 15
5 Earlier republications 16
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Australian Capital Territory
Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018
made under the
Veterinary Practice Act 2018
Part 1 Preliminary
Section 1
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Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of regulation
This regulation is the Veterinary Practice Regulation 2018.
3 Dictionary
The dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.
Note 1 The 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 2 A 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)).
4 Notes
A note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of this
regulation.
Note See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.
Restricted acts of veterinary science Part 2
Section 5
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Part 2 Restricted acts of veterinary
science
5 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.
5A Tooth 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 3 Registration information
Section 6
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Part 3 Registration information
6 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).
7 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.
8 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).
Annual general meeting of veterinary profession Part 4
Section 9
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Part 4 Annual general meeting of
veterinary profession
9 Calling annual general meeting
The board must call an annual general meeting within 4 months after
the end of a financial year.
10 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.
11 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;
Part 4 Annual general meeting of veterinary profession
Section 12
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(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.
12 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.
13 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.
14 Annual general meeting may coincide with board meeting
The annual general meeting may be held in conjunction with another
meeting of the board.
Restricted acts of veterinary science Schedule 1
Definitions Part 1.1
Section 1.1
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Schedule 1 Restricted acts of veterinary
science
(see s 5)
Part 1.1 Definitions
1.1 Definitions—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.
Note Schedule 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
Schedule 1 Restricted acts of veterinary science
Part 1.1 Definitions
Section 1.2
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(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.
1.2 Disapplication 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.
Note AS 5019-2001 and AS 5018-2001 may be purchased at
www.standards.org.au.
Restricted acts of veterinary science Schedule 1
Restricted acts of veterinary science Part 1.2
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Part 1.2 Restricted 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
Schedule 1 Restricted acts of veterinary science
Part 1.2 Restricted acts of veterinary science
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column 1
item
column 2
act of veterinary science
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
Restricted acts of veterinary science Schedule 1
Restricted acts of veterinary science Part 1.2
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column 1
item
column 2
act of veterinary science
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
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Dictionary
(see s 3)
Note 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to
this regulation.
Note 2 For 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 3 Terms 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.
Dictionary
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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
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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
Endnotes
Legislation history 3
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3 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
4 Amendment history
Commencement
s 2 om LA s 89 (4)
Tooth cleaning—Act, s 10 (4), def prescribed circumstance
s 5A ins A2023-27 s 25
Notice of annual general meeting
s 10 am A2025-20 s 20
Restricted acts of veterinary science
sch 1 pt 1.2 am A2023-27 ss 26-30; item 18 pars renum R2 LA