Veterinary Services Act 2023

A veterinarian must not provide veterinary services at premises other than registered premises. Maximum penalty: Maximum penalty: $20 000 or imprisonment for 6 months.

However, subsection (1) does not apply in the following circumstances:

if it is not reasonably practicable to provide the veterinary services at registered premises;

if the veterinary services are provided at premises by telephone or other means of electronic communication without the relevant animal being present at the premises;

if the veterinary services are provided at premises owned or occupied by the owner, or person in control, of the relevant animal with the permission of that person;

if the veterinary services are provided in an emergency, or if it is impractical or dangerous to move the relevant animal;

if the veterinary services are provided in the course of teaching any science or research or experimentation pursuant to a licence under Part 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 1985;

any other circumstances prescribed by the regulations.

In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1), it is a defence for the defendant to prove that they did not know, and could not reasonably be expected to have known, that the premises were not registered premises.