Dear VBG Members,
Spring is a natural time to think about the future, and for many of us that includes the future of our practices. This month I want to reflect on a case that may have caught your attention, especially if you are a practice owner nearing retirement.
In August this year, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) referred a proposed veterinary practice acquisition in South Australia to an in-depth Phase 2 review under Australia’s new mandatory merger regime. This new regime, which came into effect on 1st January 2026, puts more emphasis on parties to an eligible merger or acquisition self-reporting to the ACCC and awaiting approval before completing the transaction. The ACCC could block transactions they deem to reduce market competition.
Notably, in this case, the Commission indicated it would consider the cumulative effect of acquisitions undertaken over the previous three years. While the assessment has since lapsed, the signal is clear: local competition in veterinary services is now firmly on the ACCC’s radar.
Similar questions have been examined internationally. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority has been reviewing how increasing consolidation may affect factors such as price transparency, client choice and competition. Australia is still a long way behind the corporate ownership levels seen in the UK, but these are important questions for our profession as ownership models continue to evolve.
At the same time, corporate groups have brought real benefits to our profession. They have invested in facilities and equipment, built structured training and career pathways, and taken on business support so clinicians can focus on clinical work. For many owners, they have also provided a welcome succession plan. It was encouraging to hear some of the positive experiences from leaders in corporate-owned clinics shared during our recent panel discussion on the Joys of General Practice at the ASAV-VBG Conference on the Sunshine Coast.
For anyone thinking about succession planning in their own practice, there are some clear lessons to heed from this case:
• Start early, because regulatory review can add months to a sale.
• Understand your local market and consider what a sale could mean for competition in your region, since that is where the ACCC is looking.
• Keep your options open, whether that is a corporate sale, an associate buy-in or a staged transition.
Regardless, a well-prepared practice is attractive to every buyer.
Looking forward, I’m delighted to invite you to our upcoming webinar in collaboration with the Australian Cattle Veterinarians on 21st October 2026. We’ll explore how practices, corporate and independent alike, can work together to tackle one of rural practice’s toughest challenges: after-hours care. I hope you can join us.
Until next month,
Jason Chuck
VBG President
