The AVA’s response to the proposed NSW Veterinary Services Bill 2026 welcomes many of the reforms while highlighting areas that will require further consultation and careful implementation. The Bill represents the most significant overhaul of veterinary regulation in NSW in more than two decades and introduces a new framework for the regulation of veterinarians, veterinary nurses, approved persons and veterinary businesses.
The AVA welcomes several important reforms contained in the Bill, including:
- Recognition of veterinary workforce sustainability as an explicit objective of the legislation.
- Formal recognition and regulation of veterinary nurses.
- Recognition of telehealth and the creation of powers for the Veterinary Services Board to develop enforceable telehealth standards.
- A more balanced and contemporary complaints framework that enables concerns to be addressed at the most appropriate level.
- New Board functions focused on the health, wellbeing and safety of veterinary professionals.
What members should be aware of
Telehealth
The AVA supports the Bill’s recognition of telehealth as an important and growing part of veterinary service delivery. However, it is important for members to understand that the Bill itself does not automatically create unrestricted veterinary telehealth. The practical scope of telehealth will ultimately depend on the standards and guidelines developed by the Veterinary Services Board after the legislation is passed. In particular, future requirements regarding establishment and maintenance of the veterinarian-patient-client relationship (VPCR) will determine how far telehealth services can extend.
The AVA sees significant potential for telehealth to improve access to veterinary advice, support continuity of care and assist regional and rural communities. The AVA will actively participate in development of the supporting standards to ensure innovation is balanced with animal welfare, professional accountability and public confidence.
Veterinary nurse registration
The Bill introduces mandatory registration of veterinary nurses. Transitional arrangements will allow existing veterinary nurses who do not hold an approved qualification to seek registration based on experience and competency requirements during a transition period. The AVA will continue to seek clarity on the long-term operation of these arrangements and potential workforce impacts. Existing veterinary nurses will generally have four months from commencement of the legislation to submit an application to the Board and access transitional protections while their application is being assessed.
Business licensing
The Bill introduces a new veterinary business licensing framework, including requirements applying to veterinary practices, hospitals and allied animal care businesses. The AVA will be closely examining the practical implications for sole practitioners, mobile practices, telehealth providers and small businesses.
Supervision arrangements
The Bill includes a definition of “adequate supervision” that recognises supervision may occur either in person or remotely where the supervising veterinary professional is readily contactable and able to attend within a reasonable timeframe if required. The AVA will be seeking further guidance on how these provisions will operate in practice.
Complaints processes
The Bill provides a more contemporary and risk-based approach to complaints management. Rather than treating all complaints as matters requiring formal disciplinary investigation, the proposed framework allows concerns to be assessed according to their nature and seriousness, with lower-level matters able to be addressed through practice-based review and resolution processes.
Importantly, complaints that do not involve potential unsatisfactory conduct or misconduct may be referred back to the relevant veterinary business for internal review. This creates opportunities for concerns relating to communication, administrative processes, service delivery or business systems to be addressed at a practice level, rather than focusing solely on individual practitioners.
Where concerns do involve potential unsatisfactory conduct or misconduct, the Veterinary Services Board retains appropriate investigative and disciplinary powers, supported by procedural safeguards including notification requirements, opportunities to respond to allegations and access to legal representation.
Many important details remain to be developed through regulations, standards and guidelines. Areas that will significantly affect day-to-day practice include telehealth standards, scopes of practice, licensing requirements, supervision arrangements, fees and professional obligations.
The AVA broadly supports the direction of the Bill but considers ongoing engagement with the profession essential as supporting regulations and standards are developed. In particular, the AVA will be advocating for:
- Practical and workable telehealth standards.
- Appropriate veterinary nurse registration pathways.
- Proportionate licensing requirements.
- Clear supervision and scope-of-practice arrangements.
- Consideration of workforce impacts, particularly in regional and rural areas.
- Meaningful consultation with the profession throughout implementation.
The AVA will continue to keep members informed as the Bill progresses through Parliament and as consultation opportunities arise regarding the regulations, standards and implementation framework that will ultimately shape how the new legislation operates in practice.
