Veterinary Practice Act 2026 · Updated to 1 Aug 2026 · Part 5 · Disciplinary Proceedings and Other Matters
47. Appointment of Complaints Assessment Committee
Feedback & supportIf the Council decides to refer a disciplinary case to a Complaints Assessment Committee for an inquiry, the disciplinary case must be referred to a Complaints Assessment Committee appointed under this section.
The Council may appoint a Complaints Assessment Committee comprising 3 or more members of the Complaints Panel, of whom —
Complaints Assessment Committee
“Complaints Assessment Committee” means a Complaints Assessment Committee appointed by the Council under section 47;
subject to subsection (3), at least one member must be a registered veterinarian with at least 8 years’ experience as a veterinarian; and
at least one member must be a layperson.
If, in the Council’s opinion, it is inexpedient, difficult or impracticable to appoint a registered veterinarian mentioned in subsection (2)(a), the Council may appoint to the Complaints Assessment Committee any other registered veterinarian from among the members of the Complaints Panel.
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;
The Council must appoint as the chairperson of the Complaints Assessment Committee —
a member of the Complaints Assessment Committee who satisfies subsection (2)(a); or
if subsection (3) applies — a member of the Complaints Assessment Committee who is a registered veterinarian.
The following members of the Complaints Panel must not be a member of a Complaints Assessment Committee for a disciplinary case:
Complaints Panel
“Complaints Panel” means the Complaints Panel appointed by the Council under section 39;
any member of the Complaints Panel who assisted the Registrar in reviewing the disciplinary case under section 44(2)(a);
any member of an Interim Orders Committee that inquired into or reviewed, or is inquiring into or reviewing, the disciplinary case;
an investigator appointed to investigate the disciplinary case.
A Complaints Assessment Committee may be appointed in connection with one or more disciplinary cases or for a fixed period of time, as the Council thinks fit.