The AVA has launched a major national advocacy initiative — Managing Medicines and Poisons: A Path to Reform for Veterinary Practice in Australia — to tackle long-standing inconsistencies and impracticalities in how veterinary medicines and poisons are regulated across states and territories.
Our aim is to deliver fit-for-purpose, nationally harmonised reform recommendations that enable safe, practical, and context-appropriate medicines management across all areas of veterinary practice. To guide this important work, a dedicated AVA working group has been established, bringing together experienced veterinarians from diverse veterinary sector settings and across jurisdictions.
The first stage of the project focuses on hearing directly from you — veterinarians and veterinary teams. We want to build a clear and evidence-based picture of the challenges you face under the current system. Specifically, we are gathering:
- Information* from veterinarians working in all types of practice and locations, including GP, speciality, industry, research and academia
- Case examples of compliance difficulties, particularly in mobile, rural, remote, or non-traditional practice settings
This information will help us map the regulatory landscape, highlight discrepancies between jurisdictions, and identify legislative precedents or exemplars that can guide meaningful reform.
*All information provided can be anonymous or will be de-identified
Why Your Input Matters
Veterinarians across Australia regularly encounter unnecessary complexity and red tape in managing medicines and poisons. By contributing your experiences, you will help us create a strong evidence base to support nationally consistent, workable solutions that make sense in everyday practice.
Your insights will directly influence the AVA’s advocacy to legislators, regulators, and other stakeholders — and help shape a system that supports veterinary teams, protects animals, and serves our communities.
How You Can Get Involved
We invite members to share their experiences and encourage colleagues to do the same.
Ways to contribute:
- Submit issue examples through this guided input form until 31 March 2026.
- Circulate this project call-out within your professional networks and practice teams
Together, we can drive the change needed for a more consistent and practical veterinary medicines and poisons framework. Thank you for contributing your voice to this important national reform. For any queries, please email project lead Dr Robyn Whitaker at robyn.whitaker@ava.com.au.