Veterinary Practice Act 2026 · Updated to 1 Aug 2026 · Part 4 · Offences and Related Matters
30. Unauthorised individual acting as duly qualified veterinarian, etc.
Feedback & supportAn individual who is not a duly qualified veterinarian shall be guilty of an offence if the individual —
duly qualified veterinarian
“duly qualified veterinarian”, or any expression importing a person recognised by law as a veterinarian, means an individual who is a registered veterinarian and has a valid practising certificate, but excludes —(a)a registered veterinarian whose registration is suspended under this Act; and(b)a registered veterinarian whose practising certificate is suspended under this Act.
wilfully and falsely pretends to be a duly qualified veterinarian;
practises veterinary medicine —
under the name or title of a veterinarian; or
under any name, title, addition or description implying that he or she holds any degree or qualification in veterinary medicine;
takes or uses any name or title of a veterinarian, or any other word in any language having the same meaning or being to the like intent;
takes or uses any name, title, sign, uniform, badge or any other addition or description implying, whether in itself or in the circumstances in which it is used, that he or she is qualified to practise veterinary medicine; or
advertises or holds himself or herself out as a veterinarian.
Subsection (1)(d) does not apply to any act carried out by a veterinary student in the course of the veterinary student’s training to become a veterinarian, if that training is done under the supervision of a duly qualified veterinarian.
veterinary student
“veterinary student” means an individual who is enrolled in a university to receive, and receives, education for a degree in veterinary medicine, or any similar qualification, provided by the university.
An individual who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
Subject to subsection (5), it is a defence for an individual charged with an offence under subsection (1)(c), (d) or (e) to prove that the individual acted without the intention to deceive or to gain any advantage, benefit or financial gain for a business, trade, profession, vocation or employment carried on by the individual.
Subsection (4) does not apply to an individual charged with an offence under subsection (1)(e) if the individual so advertised or held himself or herself out in the prescribed circumstances.
If an offence is committed under subsection (1) by an individual (A) acting as an employee, an agent or a partner of another person (B), B shall also be guilty of an offence.
A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (6) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
It is a defence for a person (B) charged with an offence under subsection (6) to prove that the offence under subsection (1) was committed by A without B’s knowledge and that B has taken all reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of that offence by A.