Veterinary Practice Act 2026 · Updated to 1 Aug 2026 · Part 3 · Registration of Veterinarians
23. Practising certificate
Feedback & supportA registered veterinarian who desires to obtain or renew a practising certificate must make an application to the Council.
registered veterinarian
“registered veterinarian” means an individual who is registered under this Act as —(a)a veterinarian with full registration;(b)a veterinarian with restricted registration; or(c)a specialist;
An application for the grant or renewal of a practising certificate must be made in the form and manner required by the Council and must be accompanied by —
practising certificate
“practising certificate” means a practising certificate granted or renewed under section 23;
any document, information or declaration (including a statutory declaration) required by the Council; and
the prescribed fee, if any.
An application for the renewal of a practising certificate must be made no later than 30 days before the end of the period of validity of the practising certificate mentioned in subsection (5).
A registered veterinarian who applies for the renewal of his or her practising certificate after the period specified in subsection (3) must also pay to the Council the prescribed late application fee, if any.
The Council may grant or renew a practising certificate for any period, not exceeding any period prescribed under subsection (12) (if any), that the Council determines.
A registered veterinarian is not eligible for the grant or renewal of a practising certificate, or to continue to hold a practising certificate, unless the registered veterinarian complies with —
any prescribed requirement, including any requirement relating to continuing professional education; and
any condition specified by the Council for the application for the grant or renewal of the practising certificate.
The Council may —
refuse to grant a practising certificate to a registered veterinarian;
refuse to renew the practising certificate of a registered veterinarian; or
cancel the practising certificate of a registered veterinarian,if the registered veterinarian does not comply with any prescribed requirement or specified condition mentioned in subsection (6).
Before the Council cancels a registered veterinarian’s practising certificate under subsection (7)(c), the Registrar must give written notice to the registered veterinarian —
Registrar
“Registrar” means the Registrar of the Council appointed under section 14(1), and (except for section 4(2)(c) or 7(1)(j)) includes a Deputy Registrar appointed under section 14(2);
informing of the Council’s intention to cancel the practising certificate; and
specifying the time within which the registered veterinarian may submit to the Council reasons why the practising certificate should not be cancelled.
A registered veterinarian’s practising certificate is cancelled immediately upon the cancellation or suspension of his or her registration as a veterinarian with full registration or as a veterinarian with restricted registration.
veterinarian with full registration
“veterinarian with full registration” means an individual registered as such under this Act;
If the Council refuses to grant or renew a practising certificate, or cancels a practising certificate under subsection (7), the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to the individual concerned of the refusal or cancellation.
An individual who is dissatisfied with any decision of the Council under subsection (7) may, within 30 days after service of the notice mentioned in subsection (10), appeal to the Minister whose decision is final.
The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, prescribe the maximum period of validity for a practising certificate.