Veterinary Practice Act 2026 · Updated to 1 Aug 2026 · Part 5 · Disciplinary Proceedings and Other Matters
52. Mediation
Feedback & supportIf a disciplinary case is referred for mediation under section 51, the Council may direct the personal attendance of the complainant and the registered veterinarian before a mediator specified by the Council.
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 mediator must submit a report to the Council on the outcome of the mediation.
If the complainant refuses or fails, without reasonable cause, to comply with the direction under subsection (1), the Council may dismiss the disciplinary case.
complainant
“complainant” means the person who brings a disciplinary case against a registered veterinarian and, if the disciplinary case is brought by the Council, includes the Council;
If the registered veterinarian refuses or fails, without reasonable cause, to comply with the direction under subsection (1), the Council may —
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;
refer the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary Committee for a formal inquiry; or
subject to section 51(2), take one or more actions mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv).
If the mediation does not take place for any other reason, or the disciplinary case is not amicably resolved through mediation, the Council may —
dismiss the disciplinary case (if no other action is taken under section 51(1)(a) or (b) (read with section 50(c)) on the disciplinary case) or take no further action on the disciplinary case (in any other case);
refer the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary Committee for a formal inquiry; or
subject to section 51(2), take one or more actions mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv).
If the Council refers the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary Committee under subsection (5)(b), any other action taken by the Council under section 51(1)(a) or (b) (read with section 50(c)) on the disciplinary case is revoked.
Disciplinary Committee
“Disciplinary Committee” means a Disciplinary Committee appointed by the Council under section 53;
If the disciplinary case is amicably resolved through mediation, the Council may —
discontinue the disciplinary case (if no other action is taken under section 51(1)(a) or (b) (read with section 50(c)) on the disciplinary case) or take no further action on the disciplinary case (in any other case); or
subject to section 51(2), take one or more actions mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv).
The Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice to the registered veterinarian and the complainant of the Council’s decision under subsection (3), (4), (5) or (7).
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);
If a registered veterinarian is dissatisfied with a decision of the Council under this section to take any action mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv) against the registered veterinarian, the registered veterinarian may, within 30 days after service of the notice mentioned in subsection (8), appeal to the Minister whose decision is final.
If a complainant is dissatisfied with a decision of the Council under this section to dismiss or discontinue, or take no further action on, a disciplinary case or take any action mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv), the complainant may, within 30 days after service of the notice mentioned in subsection (8), appeal to the Minister whose decision is final.
The Minister may, in an appeal made under subsection (9) or (10) —
affirm the decision of the Council;
refer the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary Committee for a formal inquiry;
dismiss the disciplinary case (if no other action is taken under section 51(1)(a) or (b) (read with section 50(c)) on the disciplinary case) or revoke the decision of the Council (in any other case); or
make any other order that the Minister thinks fit.
The Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give written notice of the Minister’s decision under subsection (11) to the registered veterinarian and the complainant.
If the Minister refers the disciplinary case to a Disciplinary Committee under subsection (11)(b), any decision taken by the Council under section 51(1)(a) or (b) on the disciplinary case is revoked.