Veterinary Practice Act 2026 · Updated to 1 Aug 2026 · Part 5 · Disciplinary Proceedings and Other Matters
71. Duration of interim orders
Feedback & supportAn interim order made in a disciplinary case is in force until the earliest of the following:
interim order
“interim order” means an interim restriction order or interim suspension order;
the end of the period specified —
in the order;
if the period is extended under section 68(5) or 70(2), in the order extending it; or
if the period is substituted under section 70(3)(c), in the order making that substitution;
the date on which the relevant proceedings for the disciplinary case are concluded;
the date the order is revoked.
For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) and sections 66(4) and 68(5)(a), the relevant proceedings for a disciplinary case are concluded when any one of the following occurs:
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 Council takes any action mentioned in section 45(a) or (c)(ii) in the disciplinary case;
the Council, under section 51(1)(a) or (b), dismisses the disciplinary case or takes one or more actions mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv) in the disciplinary case and —
no appeal is made to the Minister under section 51(6) or (7) against any of those actions within the period specified in that provision; or
if such an appeal is made — the appeal is either withdrawn or the Minister makes an order under section 51(8)(a), (c) or (d) on the appeal;
if the disciplinary case is referred, under section 51, to mediation —
the Council, under section 52(3), (5) or (7), decides to dismiss or discontinue, or take no further action on the disciplinary case and —
no appeal is made to the Minister under section 52(10) against the decision within the period specified in that provision; or
if such an appeal is made — the appeal is either withdrawn or the Minister makes an order under section 52(11)(a), (c) or (d) on the appeal; or
the Council, under section 52(4), (5) or (7) takes one or more actions mentioned in section 50(c)(i), (ii) or (iv) and —
no appeal is made to the Minister under section 52(9) or (10) against any of those actions within the period specified in that provision; or
if such an appeal is made — the appeal is either withdrawn or the Minister makes an order under section 52(11)(a), (c) or (d) on the appeal;
if the disciplinary case is referred to a Disciplinary Committee for a formal inquiry, the Disciplinary Committee —
makes any order under section 56(2) which takes effect; or
dismisses the disciplinary case under section 56(4);
if the complainant withdraws the disciplinary case and the Council does not make a referral, take an action or give a direction mentioned in section 75(1) within the period mentioned in that section.