Non-standard pathways to registration: mutual recognition and "identified need"
There continues to be a shortage of veterinary personnel in Victoria, especially in regional areas but also in particular fields or specialities and at certain times of the year. For example, equine veterinarians are in high demand during the breeding and racing seasons.
Prerequisites for registration
Under the Veterinary Practice Act 1997 (VPA), the usual pre-requisites for general registration as a vet in Victoria are that a person:
Prerequisites for specialist registration as a vet in Victoria are that a person holds (or qualifies for) general registration, has the required post-graduate qualification in the relevant specialty and has been practising in that area of medicine or surgery.
Options for persons with non-recognised qualifications
Employers are regularly approached by overseas-registered veterinarians who may have veterinary skills and experience and English competency, but do not have a qualification that is able to be recognised by the Board. Sometimes the prospective applicant is a specialist veterinarian in their own country.*
In Victoria, persons whose veterinary qualifications are not able to be recognised may be able to be registered either through mutual recognition of other veterinary registration in Australasia or if their employer can show there is an identified need to employ a person with their skills.
Mutual recognition
Persons with non-recognised qualifications who are currently registered in another Australian State or Territory or in New Zealand may apply for registration under the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (if in Australia) or the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition 1997 (if in New Zealand). Contact us for more information.
Identified need
Under section 7(1)(d) of the VPA, the Board may grant specific registration to an applicant whose veterinary qualifications are not recognised for general registration if it is of the opinion that, to meet an identified need for a veterinary practitioner, it is necessary for a person with qualifications like those of the applicant to provide veterinary services.
It is the Board's general practice to impose conditions on this type of registration, limiting practice to a specific employer under the indirect supervision of a registered veterinary practitioner. Specific registration can be granted for a maximum period of 3 years (though vets can apply for another period of registration before expiry of the current one).
A registration application under s7(1)(d) of the VPA should be accompanied by information from the applicant’s prospective employer that:
- clearly describes a public or community need for veterinary services to be provided to animals, by a person with a specific skillset and/or in a location where the absence of a vet may negatively affect the public, community and/or health and welfare of animals /li>
- explains the potential risks in not meeting the identified need, i.e., how the public, community and/or health and welfare of animals will be at risk if the position is not filled, and
- shows their efforts to fill the position that will meet the identified need with a person who would qualify to apply for general registration, e.g. evidence of advertising over a prolonged period.
Applicants must provide information which shows they have the knowledge (including English competency), skills and experience to meet the identified need.
The Board has a policy which provides guidance to employers and applicants and details the type of information which can be supplied to support such an application: Identified need under section 7(1)(d) of the Veterinary Practice Act 1997.
Importance of undertaking due diligence and providing support
While the Board understands that employers may be eager to fill vacant positions, employers who are considering engaging a person who would need specific registration should carefully conduct appropriate due diligence.
Prospective employers must satisfy themselves that the applicant has the skills and experience to do the work required; and the English to understand and sufficiently communicate with clients, read clinical documentation and write veterinary medical records to the expected standard. More than this, the employer should try to establish whether the applicant is a good fit for their practice generally.
Due diligence of this sort is good practice for any prospective employee but even more important in cases where the vet may be relocating from another country at considerable financial and personal cost, often accompanied by their family. As there would be conditions on the vet’s registration restricting them to practising at a specific workplace, it is not straightforward for a person in this situation to find another place to work if things don’t work out with their employer.
For the same reasons, if a vet is granted specific registration to meet an identified need for their services, an employer should also be prepared to provide additional support at induction to help the vet settle into practice in Victoria. The registered veterinary practitioner appointed as supervisor can assist with this, but the whole veterinary team can play a role.
* NOTE since this article was published the Board has confirmed a potential pathway to specialist registration for persons who hold high-level qualifications such as Diplomate certification from North American or European Veterinary Specialist Colleges. For more information, visit the Board's specialist page linked below.
Application information