Standards of Practice and Legislation

​​​​​​​​​​​​Under section 5B of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1987 the Veterinary Board of Tasmania may:

  1. Declare veterinary service standards; and
  2. Specify the standards of service that are to be provided and rules of conduct that are to be observed by a registered veterinary surgeon or registered veterinary specialist in carrying on the practice of veterinary science in Tasmania.

​​The Standards of Veterinary Practice detailing the minimum standards of practice expected of veterinary surgeons are updated or revised as and when necessary, after a consultative process.


Veterinary Service Standards, Guidance and Related Information

The Tasmanian Veterinary Service Standards (VSS) are provided in the following formats:​

1. Tasmanian VSS - Standards Only (PDF 335Kb)

2. Tasmanian VSS - Standards and Guidance (PDF 706Kb)

The standards are the same in each document. ​​Version 2 includes additional background, guidance material and examples to assist interpretation and application of the VSS.

Effective date: 1 July 2023.

​​Introduction to the VSS – online modules

A brief online introduction has been developed to help build your familiarity with the VSS. All currently registered veterinary surgeons and applicants for registration will need to complete the online modules.


Continuing Professional Development – Summary Record Template​

The format of the CPD record is up to you, but the following template is provided as an example for you to use or adapt.​

Tasmanian VSS – CPD Record Template


Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) relating to the current Standards are provided in the document below. Note these will be updated from time to time as new issues arise and other information becomes available:

Veterinary Service Standards Frequently Asked Questions

Legislation​

Some of the standards are guides to Acts and Regulations which have an impact on the practice of veterinary surgeons (see links below). Veterinary Surgeons are responsible for ensuring that they understand their legal obligations.

Veterinary Surgeons Act 1987

Veterinary Surgeons Regulations 2022

Biosecurity Act 2019

Biosecurity Regulations 2022​​​​

Animal Welfare Act 1993

Animal Welfare (General) Regulations 2013

Poisons Act 1971

Poisons Regulations 2018

Note: all Tasmanian legislation can be found on the website: Tasmania's Consolidated Legislation Online (use the search engine on the site, for Regulations see 'Statutory Rules').​

*T​he Animal Health Act 1995 has been repealed and is replaced by ​the Biosecurity Act 2019. ​For further information on this legislative change please go to the NRE Tas webpage Biosecurity Act 2019.

Contact

Veterinary Board of Tasmania

PO Box 909,
Sandy Bay, TAS, 7006.