Information for veterinary surgeons about the online process to lodge annual returns for the year ending 31 December 2022 and renew registration for 2023 is available here. The deadline to lodge annual returns and renew registration is 30 December 2022.
Frequently asked questions
I don’t want to continue practising in 2023. Do I need to do anything?
Yes. You must lodge an annual return for 2022 by completing the online process. If you will not continue to practise in 2023, you do not need to renew your registration.
Does a late fee apply if I renew my registration after the deadline?
Yes. An additional prescribed fee of $262 is fixed under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 for late renewals of registration received on or after 31 December 2022. You must renew your registration by no later than 30 December 2022 to avoid the late fee.
Can I arrange for a person to complete my annual return on my behalf?
No. You must complete the annual return personally. This is a professional obligation under section 36(2) of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003. You must answer all questions accurately and truthfully. It is an offence under section 68 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 to provide false or misleading information.
What is the role of the Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia?
The Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia (VSBSA) is an independent regulatory authority established by the Veterinary Practice Act 2003. It is the VSBSA’s responsibility to regulate the veterinary profession to protect the public interest and animal welfare through high professional standards. The VSBSA exists to maintain public confidence in veterinary practice. The VSBSA is not a membership association or advocacy body for veterinary surgeons. It does not and cannot offer advisory or support services. There are membership associations that support the veterinary profession with services such as advice, resources, mentorship and counselling.
Why is the annual practice fee reviewed and adjusted each year?
The 2023 annual practice fee has increased by $66. This is necessary to adjust for CPI over the past year and to offset increasing costs, in particular new costs charged to the VSBSA by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT). Since May 2020 and because of legislative changes, SACAT took over the VSBSA’s jurisdiction to hear and determine disciplinary proceedings against veterinary surgeons under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003. SACAT’s invoice to the VSBSA for disciplinary proceedings last financial year was more than $21,000. Under the previous arrangement, the VSBSA’s annual cost for hearing and determining disciplinary proceedings was about $3,000.
Why is the annual practice fee higher in South Australia than in other States and Territories?
The VSBSA has no funding source other than prescribed fees fixed under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003. These fees are charged to veterinary surgeons. Annual practice fees in other Australian States and Territories are lower than in South Australia. This is for one or more of the following reasons:
- annual practice fees are subsidised by the public through Government funding or assistance
- there are significantly more veterinary surgeons, which means that the veterinary regulatory authorities benefit from economies of scale
- there are additional revenue streams such as secondary registration, licencing of veterinary premises and registration of veterinary nurses