Registration of Veterinary Surgeons in WA
Registration process
Generally registration in WA takes place at an interview with the Registrar at the Board office in South Perth; this is to discuss issues relevant to you working in Western Australia.
Prior to the interview, the Board needs to be in receipt of the following:
- A letter of good standing from the Board you have most recently worked under. This is sent directly to us from the relevant Board at your request;
- Original (to sight) or certified copy of your primary veterinary degree;
- Current CV with details of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses attended in the last 3 years;
- Original (to sight) or certified copy of your current passport or other photographic ID;
- Completed application forms; and
- Payment of the applicable fees.
Once all the relevant documentation has been received by the Board, you should contact us to make a date for an interview. If you prefer, you can arrange a time for an interview and bring all the documentation with you, except for the Letter of Good Standing which we must have prior to your interview. Interviews are generally held on Tuesday mornings at 10am and Friday afternoons at 2pm. In special circumstances interviews can be held at other times. Contact the Board office for more information. You need to give at least one week’s notice when arranging an interview.
If all your documentation is satisfactory, you will be able to work as soon as you have been interviewed by the Registrar and paid the prescribed fees.
Qualifications
Australian qualifications
There are six veterinary schools in Australia. They are:
Murdoch University, Western Australia - BSc, BVMS
University of Melbourne, Victoria - BVSc
University of Sydney, New South Wales - BVSc
University of Queensland, Queensland - BVSc
James Cook University, Queensland - BVSc
Charles Sturt University, New South Wales - BVSc
The qualifications awarded by these schools satisfy the formal academic requirements for registration by all Australian veterinary registration boards.
New Zealand qualifications
A degree (BVSc) from the College of Sciences Massey University in New Zealand is recognised as an eligible qualification for registration by all Australian veterinary registration boards.
Overseas qualifications
If you are an overseas trained veterinary surgeon, there are three ways in which you can enter the profession in Australia.
• By immediate recognition of your overseas qualifications.
The Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc recognises some overseas qualifications as providing the holder with eligibility to apply for registration as a veterinary surgeon in Australia and New Zealand without further examination. Further information is available at the AVBC website.
Link to AVBC
• By completing a veterinary degree at an Australian veterinary school.
• By successfully completing the National Veterinary Examination (NVE).
The National Veterinary Examination has been developed to assist veterinary surgeons who qualified overseas to obtain registration in Australia, thus enabling them to continue to practise in their profession. Procedures have been established by which eligible overseas trained veterinary surgeons may prove their competence to practise in Australia.
You can take the NVE only if you have been formally assessed as meeting the eligibility criteria to sit the examination. Further information is available at the AVBC website.
Link to AVBC
Types of registration and fees
Application fee for registration is $110 (except for honorary registration which is $25). The registration fees are as below.
Full registration as veterinary surgeon - one year from 1st January to 31st December $365 plus application fee = $475.
NB: After July 1 each year, registration is calculated on a pro rata basis at $40 per month to the end of the year.
Honorary - if approved (40 years service or age over 65 years) may undertake acts of veterinary science - $45 plus application fee $25 = $70. Honorary registration is only awarded if the Board is satisfied that the veterinary surgeon’s standing in the profession justifies their registration as an Honorary Veterinary Surgeon. Please see Guidelines below.
You can also apply for registration under the following terms:
Temporary - on a month to month basis for a maximum of three months: $40 per month plus application fee = $150 to $230.
Non Resident - maximum three months per year: $180 plus application fee = $290.
For more details on Temporary and Non Resident Registration, please contact the Board office.
New Graduates
New graduate support scheme
The New Graduate Support scheme is run by the Australian Veterinary Association in Western Australia.
Graduate Support Scheme Coordinator:
Dr Paul Davey BVMS
Phone: 9387 2144
Email:
AVA WA Executive Officer
Ms Allison Lyons
Phone: 08 9388 9600
Fax: 08 9388 9688
Email:
Complaints
If you are a new graduate facing a complaint from a client, see the public complaints page for more details of the process of a client making a complaint.
If you believe a veterinary treatment has been unsatisfactory or you are concerned about a veterinary employer’s behaviour, you should first try to resolve the matter with the employer.
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) provides a dispute mediation service as a first step for friendly advice to resolve problems.
If a complaint is received by the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board (the Board) about the conduct of a person who is, or was at the time the conduct took place, a registered veterinary surgeon, the Board must investigate the complaint.
If a veterinary surgeon receives a letter of enquiry from the Board, they are obliged to provide the information requested. Detailed information on responding to an enquiry from the Board is contained in the form “Guide for Registered Veterinary Surgeons to Respond to an Investigation by the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board of a Complaint” below.
Forms
Guidelines
Fees
Application Fee $110.00
Application Fee (Honorary Registration) $25.00
Full Registration 1 January to 31 December $365.00
Full Registration New Graduates $110.00
Temporary Registration per month $40.00
(up to 3 months over calendar year)
Pro Rata Registration from 1 July to 31 December per month $40.00
Non Resident Registration 1 January to 31 December $180.00
(up to a total of 3 months annually in multiple journeys)
Honorary Registration $45.00
Legislation
Counselling services
For veterinary surgeons facing difficulties in veterinary practice, or in life in general, the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board office can confidentially arrange contact with a clinical psychologist. The Board offers to pay for the first two consultations with a clinical psychologist at the Wasley Centre.
