Requirements
A veterinary services provider (VSP) is defined by section 3(1) of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 (VP Act) as “a person (not being a veterinary surgeon) who provides veterinary treatment through the instrumentality of a veterinary surgeon”.
A VSP may be a body corporate, company, trust or other legal entity, or a person not registered as a veterinary surgeon.
Information to be given to Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia by Veterinary Services Provider
As per section 50 of the VP Act, a veterinary services provider must –
(a) in the case of a person who was a veterinary services provider immediately before the commencement of this section – within 60 days of that commencement; and
(b) in any other case – within 60 days of becoming a veterinary services provider
– give to the Board, in writing-
(c) the provider’s full name and business or (in the case of a corporation) registered address;
(d) the address of the premises at which the provider provides veterinary treatment;
(e) the full names and business addresses of the veterinary surgeons through the instrumentality of whom the provider is providing veterinary treatment;
(f) if the provider is a trust or corporate entity that has not been exempted by the regulations from the requirements of this paragraph – the full names and addresses of all persons who occupy a position of authority in the trust or corporate entity.
Maximum penalty: $10 000.
(2) A veterinary services provider must, within 30 days of any change occurring in the particulars required to be given under subsection (1), inform the Board in writing of the change.
Maximum penalty: $10 000.
(3) The Board must keep a record of information provided to the Board under this section available for inspection, on payment of the prescribed fee, by any person during ordinary office hours at the office of the Board and may make the record available to the public by electronic means.
The VSBSA is required by the VP Act to keep a record of information relating to VSPs.
All VSPs are required to complete Form 10.
A VSP must lodge a completed Form 10 within 60 days of becoming a VSP.
If there are any changes to the information provided to the VSBSA, the VSP must advise the VSBSA of those changes within 30 days.
Downloads
Improper directions by veterinary services providers
Section 51 of the VP Act provides that:
(1) If a person who provides veterinary treatment through the instrumentality of a veterinary surgeon directs or pressures the veterinary surgeon to act unlawfully, improperly, negligently or unfairly in relation to the provision of veterinary treatment, the person is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $20 000
(2) If a person who occupies a position of authority in a trust or corporate entity that provides veterinary treatment through the instrumentality of a veterinary surgeon directs or pressures the veterinary surgeon to act unlawfully, improperly, negligently or unfairly in relation to the provision of veterinary treatment, the person and the entity are each guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $20 000
Fee
The VSBSA’s 2025 annual listing fee for a VSP is $655