Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria Information

The Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria is a self-funding statutory body created for the regulation of veterinarians practising in Victoria, Australia. The Board's primary responsibilities are to: register veterinarians ("veterinary practitioners") so they can practise in Victoria; receive complaints about veterinary practitioners; conduct investigations into the professional conduct or health of veterinary practitioners and undertake disciplinary proceedings that may result from those investigations; and issue guidelines about appropriate standards of veterinary practice and veterinary facilities. The Board's mission is to protect the public and the health and welfare of animals. Its vision is the sustainable regulation of reliably high quality veterinary care across Victoria. Also known as Vetboard Victoria, the Board has existed since 1888 after it was established by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1887. The current Board was established under the Veterinary Practice Act 1997 ("the Act"). The Minister for the purposes of the Act is the Minister for Agriculture. The Board is responsible for provision of advice to the Minister on any matters relating to its functions under the Act. The members of the Board are appointed by Governor in Council in accordance with Section 63 of the Act. The Board has 9 members, 6 of whom are registered veterinary practitioners; 3 of whom are not veterinary practitioners (one being a lawyer). The Board is assisted in its functions by subcommittees, lawyers and investigators retained by the Board, and persons appointed by Governor-in-Council to conduct preliminary investigations or sit on informal and formal panels. The Board is supported by 9 staff led by a General Manager & Registrar. Staff members include a Director of Finance, and officers in administrative, communications, compliance/investigative and registration roles.