The AVA has been actively advocating for a review of the Queensland Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936 – legislation that is now almost 90 years old and no longer reflects the modern veterinary profession or its needs.
A review of the Act was commenced by government in 2013, and the AVA invested significant effort in developing a comprehensive response. However, the Government’s process was not completed and remained unaddressed since that time.
Consultation has now opened for review of this legislation and the AVA is currently preparing a submission.
To assist in this, we are seeking feedback from AVA members.
How to provide feedback for the AVA submission:
- Please review the DPI information using the links below, including this Consultation Impact Analysis Statement which provides details on the proposed changes, and send your input to publicvetaffairs@ava.com.au for consideration.
- Due to a tight consultation timeframe from the DPI, we ask that you provide your feedback by Monday 24 August 2026.
About the Queensland Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936:
To produce a modern regulatory framework, review of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936 proposes reforms across six key areas to better support contemporary veterinary practice, workforce sustainability, animal welfare, client protection, biosecurity and public confidence.
Proposed reform areas include:
- Veterinary science and acts of veterinary science: Introduce a risk-based framework that clearly defines which activities are reserved for veterinarians, which can be delegated under supervision, and which are excluded from regulation.
- Registration: Create more flexible registration pathways, including conditional registration, strengthened competence requirements and improved workforce mobility.
- Premises and practices: Replace the current premises approval model with a modern practice licensing framework that better supports telehealth, mobile services and clinical governance.
- Paraprofessionals: Establish registration, title protection and defined scopes of practice for veterinary nurses and technologists to support better utilisation of the veterinary team.
- Compliance: Move to a more graduated, risk-based compliance and disciplinary framework that enables earlier and more proportionate regulatory action.
- Governance: Strengthen the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland through improved representation, transparency, accountability and decision-making capacity.
Helpful AVA resources:
AVA Policies:
Restricted acts of veterinary science
Regulation of animal health service providers
The diagnosis and treatment of animals by non-veterinarians
Recommended key principles for veterinary practice acts in Australia
Previous related AVA Submissions:
NSW Veterinary Legislation Framework review
SA Veterinary Services Bill 2022
Draft WA Veterinary Practice Amendment Regulations
More information for the DPI consultation, including FAQs, can be found on their website here.
Individual feedback can also be submitted online through the DPI survey or directly to VSAReview@dpi.qld.gov.au by the DPI consultation close date of 7 September 2026.