The AVA develops and maintains a growing library of evidence-based guidelines, industry reports and practical resources to support Australian veterinary professionals across every area of practice. From workforce data and policy submissions to clinical biosecurity protocols and client education tools, these resources reflect the AVA’s commitment to a well-informed, well-equipped profession.
Industry reports and workforce insights
Veterinarians have ranked fifth in the most trusted occupations in Australia, according to the 2025 Governance Institute of Australia Report.
The Ethics Index was developed using a nationally representative survey of 1000 people. Conducted between 14-28 July 2025, the survey participants were weighted according to age, gender and location to ensure that it represents the demographic makeup of the Australian adult population.
Animal Medicines Australia’s (AMA) Pets in Australia 2025 report, launched in September 2025, confirms our nation’s bond with animals is stronger than ever. Seventy-three percent of households – 7.7 million homes – now include a pet, up from 69% in 2022 and 61% before the pandemic. With 31.6 million pets nationwide, there are more companion animals than people in Australia
The AVA partnered with AMA on the development of the report- DOWNLOAD HERE
Clinical guidelines, protocols and resources
Legislation
Amount dispensed
The quantity of drugs dispensed must be commensurate with the therapeutic need. The veterinarian should take all reasonable steps by way of accurate record keeping, to ensure that the drugs supplied were all used or would be used for the specific purpose intended.In food-producing animals, the responsibility for advising of withholding periods, export slaughter intervals, and exact dose of the drug for the specific condition, rests with the veterinarian for each case in which the drug is used. This cannot be achieved if drugs are used for conditions other than those for which they were supplied. The occurrence of unacceptable residues as a result of over-prescribing may place the veterinarian in a legally-vulnerable position.
‘Off-label’ drugs, compounded medicines and antibiotics
It’s important to familiarise yourself with the guidelines for the use of ‘off-label’ drugs, compounded medicines and antibiotics.
Other information
The dispensing of drugs by veterinarians for competing animals (horses and greyhounds) should be undertaken with care to ensure that the requirements of the relevant controlling authorities, that animals compete ‘drug free’, are met. This extends to all forms of competition, including eventing and dressage.The supply of drugs to any person who is not the owner or responsible agent for the animal is not permitted under drugs and poisons legislation. Accordingly, supply of drugs to a third party where the veterinarian has not personally established a therapeutic need for the animal(s) intended to receive the treatment could be considered wholesaling. The veterinarian who supplies drugs in such a manner is abrogating his or her responsibility to establish and record therapeutic need, to control the dose and frequency of use of the drug, to provide follow-up and after-care, and to ensure correct use of the drug and understanding of its use, and any contraindications, by the end user.
Prescribing Guidelines Link
guidelines-for-prescribing-authorising-and-dispensing-veterinary-medicines-october-2023
The purpose of a ‘Certificate to Transport Livestock Under Veterinary Advice’ is for the veterinarian to use their professional judgment in a range of individual circumstances to allow an animal, or multiple animals, to be transported that may not meet, or be marginal in meeting, the requirements of transport legislation of the relevant jurisdiction.
These documents fulfill the need for a nationally standardised veterinary certificate template, aiding compliance with legislation and benefiting livestock, veterinarians, and stakeholders throughout the livestock market chain. Providing this certificate for use by all veterinarians not only supports animal welfare practices but raises the profile of the breadth of the work undertaken by the AVA, ACV, SCGV and other special interest groups.
This veterinary right comes under Standard 4.2 of the AUSTRALIAN ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES Land Transport of Livestock Edition One Version 1.1 21 September 2012.
Read the explanatory notes in full: Explanatory Notes for Certification to Transport Livestock Under Veterinary Advice: Cattle, Sheep and Other
Download the PDF versions of the Certificates
- Certificate to Transport Cattle Under Veterinary Advice
- Certificate to Transport Sheep Under Veterinary Advice
- Certificate to Transport Other Livestock Under Veterinary Advice
Download: Veterinary Guidelines – PAPP antidote treatment
Download: Clinical Fact Sheet
PAPP is considered to be a humane toxin, and has the potential to replace 1080 use in most situations. It has an additional advantage in that it has an antidote, Methylene Blue. Details about where to access supplies of the antidote, and treatment protocols, are available in the form of a Clinical Fact Sheet that you can download from this site and print out for your hospital.
The information we have received is that if an animal is administered the antidote relatively quickly by IV injection (likely within half to one hour of bait exposure), it can recover. At this stage, the antidote can only be administered by a veterinarian.
Products containing PAPP have been approved for use by the APVMA, and are manufactured and distributed by Animal Control Technologies Australia (ACTA).
What is PAPP and how does it work?
Para-aminopropiophenone (or ‘PAPP’) is the active ingredient used in new toxic baits developed for the broad-scale management of canids. Once ingested, PAPP works by converting normal haemoglobin to methaemoglobin. Clinical signs include lethargy, ataxia, unresponsiveness, unconsciousness and death. Limited studies suggest that animals receiving a sub-lethal dose can fully recover if treated promptly. PAPP baits are scheduled Restricted S7.
Is PAPP safe for domestic and working dogs?
No. PAPP is lethal to wild dogs and foxes and it is also highly toxic to all domestic and working dogs, depending on the dose ingested. The mode of action is fast and symptoms of methaemoglobinemia are diagnostic. The carefully considered PAPP dose in fox baits means that an average-sized working dog will be less affected after eating one fox bait, but treatment should be sought immediately. Due to the higher dose in wild dog baits, if a domestic or working dog eats just one dog bait, it will die within 1-2 hours if there is no treatment with antidote. The use of PAPP baits will require careful consideration of potential risk to pets, working dogs and other non-target animals.
Is there an antidote for PAPP?
Yes. The chemical methylene blue converts methaemoglobin back to haemoglobin and immediately reverses the effects of PAPP poisoning, with recovery usually occurring within 1 hour, based on limited studies. At present, methylene blue can only be purchased and administered by a veterinarian.
Can an animal killed with PAPP be distinguished from one killed by 1080?
Yes. Bright yellow plastic marker beads incorporated into PAPP baits can be found in the vomitus or stomach of affected animals and even in the decayed carcass. Similar red marker beads are incorporated into ACTA manufactured 1080 baits. Animals with PAPP poisoning also display grey-blue gums and tongue, caused by the change in blood colour from red to brown.
Can PAPP harm other animals?
Members of the dog and cat families are highly susceptible to PAPP compared with other species, and this is due to the unique way that they metabolise PAPP. In Australia, cats, foxes, and wild dogs are the animals most susceptible to PAPP. The materials used to make these baits have shown to be less palatable to herbivores. PAPP is known to affect some native non-target animals like goannas and for this reason aerial deployment of FOXECUTE and DOGABAIT has not been approved.
Where can I find more information regarding PAPP?
Invasive Animals CRC PestSmart webpage on PAPP
Animal Control Technologies Australia website
Supplier of Methylene Blue
Phebra
Contact Customer Service at orders@phebra.com or 1800 720 020.
Client and public education resources
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is proud to support Boehringer Ingelheim’s ‘Value Your Vet’ campaign which celebrates the critical role vets play in Australian society. Launched in Sydney today, the new campaign calls for greater recognition of the veterinary profession’s extraordinary contribution to preserving and protecting the cherished human animal bond.
Backed by a nationally representative research sample that surveyed over 1,100 Australian pet owners – including dog, cat, bird and reptile and other small animal owners – the campaign highlights our deep reliance on vets, while revealing a striking gap in public awareness about the pressures they face. While half of respondents say their vet has saved their pet’s life, only one in four have expressed gratitude for this lifesaving work.
Read more here
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