Veterinary Practice Act 2026 · Updated to 1 Aug 2026 · Part 5 · Disciplinary Proceedings and Other Matters
43. Assessment of disciplinary case for referral to Registrar despite limitation period
Feedback & supportIf the applicable period mentioned in section 42(1) or (2) has expired for a disciplinary case, the Council must refer the disciplinary case to a member of the Council appointed by the Council (called in this section the appointed member) for an assessment mentioned in subsection (3).
disciplinary case
“disciplinary case” means a complaint made against, or any information provided about, a registered veterinarian under Part 5, and, if an interim suspension order is made against the registered veterinarian in relation to the complaint or information, includes any contravention or suspected contravention of the interim suspension order or any term specified for the interim suspension order;
The referral under subsection (1) must be made —
for a disciplinary case mentioned in section 42(1) — within 2 weeks after the Council receives the disciplinary case; or
for a disciplinary case mentioned in section 42(2) — as soon as practicable.
The appointed member who is referred a disciplinary case under subsection (1) must, within 3 weeks after the referral, inform the Council of his or her assessment whether it is in the public interest for the disciplinary case to be referred to the Registrar despite the expiry of the applicable period mentioned in section 42(1) or (2).
If the appointed member informs the Council that he or she is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to refer the disciplinary case to the Registrar, the Council must, within 2 weeks after receipt of the appointed member’s assessment, refer the disciplinary case to the Registrar under section 41(1) or (3), as the case may be.
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);
The appointed person must not be —
the Registrar;
if the disciplinary case is intended to be brought by the Council — any member of the Council who participated in (or is or will be participating in) or influenced (or is or will be influencing) the Council’s decision to bring the disciplinary case under section 41(3); or
if section 75(1) applies to the disciplinary case — any member of the Council who participated in (or is or will be participating in) or influenced (or is or will be influencing) the Council’s decision to refer the disciplinary case under section 41(3) to the Registrar for review despite the withdrawal of the disciplinary case.