This guideline outlines the appropriate standard expected of a registered veterinary practitioner in the course of veterinary practice. It should be read in conjunction with other related guidelines.

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Context to Guideline 6: Veterinary facilities, equipment and assistance in the provision of veterinary services

Veterinary facilities and/or equipment used in the provision of veterinary services are not approved or licensed by the Board. A veterinary practitioner should satisfy themselves that appropriate approval or licensing requirements for a veterinary facility, including mobile veterinary facilities and equipment used in their provision of veterinary services, is current.

A veterinary practitioner providing emergency veterinary services in an adverse environment must take into account how their ability to control the facilities, equipment and assistance is impacted by the situation and make reasonable adjustments without compromising the standard of their provision of veterinary services.

From time to time individuals other than veterinary practitioners may be required to provide assistance in carrying out assessments or procedures. Before accepting such assistance, a veterinary practitioner should consider the individual’s knowledge, skills and capacity to assist in the specific situation.

Where an individual other than a veterinary practitioner uses equipment to support their assistance, a veterinary practitioner must be satisfied that the person is familiar with and instructed in the use of the equipment (including required safety measures associated with its use).

A veterinary practitioner should adopt practices that mitigate cross contamination of veterinary facilities and non-veterinary facilities such as farms, stables and kennels/catteries/animal shelters through storage, handling, and cleaning and disinfecting equipment and facility work surfaces.

Procedures routinely performed in a veterinary clinic, hospital or consulting rooms may be exposed to additional risks when undertaken in a mobile clinic, off site or as part of a house call. A veterinary practitioner should consider how the additional risks may impact the provision of veterinary services and communicate the consequences of this impact to the owner and other relevant individuals before carrying out the procedure.

There are certain tasks that are acceptable for a veterinary nurse to complete under the supervision of a veterinary practitioner. When doing so, the vet should communicate this with the animal owner before veterinary services are delivered, e.g., when seeking an animal owner’s informed consent.

To decide what tasks may be carried out by a veterinary nurse, a veterinary practitioner should assess the risks associated with the procedures that are being delegated to the nurse. If the veterinary practitioner assesses that the procedure can be delegated to a nurse, they should communicate to the veterinary nurse and the animal owner that any risks presented by delegating the procedures are acceptable and can be managed.

In delegating tasks to a veterinary nurse, veterinary practitioners should be satisfied that the nurse has the experience, skills, knowledge and competency to carry out the task and be confident that the nurse themselves feels capable of carrying out the task. It is also important that the veterinary practitioner is satisfied that the nurse understands the risks and potential complications, can recognise these if they occur, and will react appropriately if a problem arises. A veterinary practitioner must ensure they are available to answer a call for assistance from the nurse and able to respond quickly to avoid any issues.

There are certain circumstances where it is not appropriate or lawful to delegate a task to a veterinary nurse. For example, the Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 and associated regulations authorise veterinary practitioners to obtain, possess, use or supply most scheduled poisons for the veterinary treatment of animals under their care. Veterinary nurses are not authorised persons under this legislation. However, it is likely that some vaccinations may be classified as Schedule 4 poisons. Whether it is lawful for a veterinary nurse to physically administer (inject) an animal under the direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner, or whether it is unlawful or might amount to unprofessional conduct, is unclear. What is clear, however, is that the veterinary practitioner has sole responsibility for the manner in which scheduled poisons are accessed, possessed and used, and responsibility for anything that may go wrong in relation to access, possession and use would likely rest with the veterinary practitioner.

More information about authorisation to administer veterinary medications:

• Board Guideline 14 – Supply and use of veterinary medications
• Factsheet produced by Department of Health’s Medicines and Poisons Regulation (MPR) branch of the Department of Health (VIC) – Veterinary practitioners – key requirements in Victoria
• Enquiry form: MPR branch

More information about other activities:

• Re authorisation and licensing for use of radiation sources, contact the Radiation Safety Branch of the Victorian Department of Health.
• For information about shockwave or laser therapy, there may be laws limiting these practices and the equipment used in these practices to veterinary practitioners or prohibiting those practices altogether. Animal Welfare Victoria administers relevant regulations: email [email protected]

In all circumstances, it is important to record any actions, the reason for them, and the name of the person who undertook those actions in the animal’s veterinary medical record. More information: Board Guideline 7 – Veterinary medical records

The Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria does not register veterinary businesses. Under the Veterinary Practice Act 1997, the Board’s registration functions only allow registration of individual veterinary practitioners or veterinary specialists in Victoria.

While the Board does not register veterinary businesses, it does have regulatory functions which touch on veterinary businesses. Under section 62(1)(e) of the VPA, the Board’s functions include to issue guidelines about appropriate standards of veterinary practice and veterinary facilities. Current Board guidelines that refer to veterinary facilities include:

• Guideline 6 – Veterinary facilities, equipment and assistance in the provision of veterinary services (on this page)
• Guideline 20 - Biosecurity

Also, the Board can investigate complaints against registered veterinary practitioners which relate to the standard of a veterinary business’s facilities. The Board cannot investigate complaints relating to the standard of a veterinary business’s facilities against persons who are not registered veterinary practitioners.

The Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria does not license veterinary facilities. Under the Veterinary Practice Act 1997 (VPA), the Board’s licensing functions only allow registration of individual veterinary practitioners or veterinary specialists in Victoria.

While the Board does not have a licensing function in relation to veterinary facilities, it does have regulatory functions which touch on veterinary facilities. Under section 62(1)(e) of the VPA, the Board’s functions include to issue guidelines about appropriate standards of veterinary practice and veterinary facilities. Current Board guidelines that refer to veterinary facilities include:

• Guideline 6 – Veterinary facilities, equipment and assistance in the provision of veterinary services (on this page)
• Guideline 20 - Biosecurity

Also, the Board can investigate complaints against registered veterinary practitioners which relate to the standard of veterinary facilities. The Board cannot investigate complaints relating to the standard of veterinary facilities against persons who are not registered veterinary practitioners.

Veterinary practices that are also domestic animal businesses must register with their local council under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and associated regulations.

The Medicines and Poisons Regulation (MPR) Branch of the Department of Health regulates the storage of scheduled drugs in veterinary facilities, under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981. More information: Medicines and poisons regulation and Veterinary practitioners, MPR Branch, Department of Health.

Some veterinary businesses may need a permit or registration from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to store biomedical waste temporarily. More information: Permissions, EPA

Veterinary practices have general business requirements, e.g., to register business names and register for taxes.

The Radiation Safety Branch of the Victorian Department of Health issues radiation management licences to veterinary practices. A radiation management licence is a mandatory requirement for any company seeking to possess a veterinary radiation source. Individual veterinary practitioners also need individual radiation use licences to operate x-ray equipment. More information: Veterinary practices and Veterinary surgeons, Radiation Safety Branch, Department of Health.

To microchip cats, dogs and horses, veterinary practitioners in Victoria must complete an authorised implanter course through the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). More information: Authorised implanter for veterinarians, AVA VIC.

The Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria does not register veterinary nurses or other personnel who help provide veterinary services. Under the Veterinary Practice Act 1997, the Board’s registration functions only allow registration of individual veterinary practitioners or veterinary specialists in Victoria.

While the Board does not have a registration function in relation to veterinary nurses or other personnel who help provide veterinary services, it does have regulatory functions which touch on veterinary personnel. Under section 62(1)(e) of the VPA, the Board’s functions include to issue guidelines about appropriate standards of veterinary practice and veterinary facilities. Current Board guidelines that refer to veterinary personnel include:

• Guideline 6 – Veterinary facilities, equipment and assistance in the provision of veterinary services (on this page).

The Board cannot investigate a complaint a against person who is not a registered veterinary practitioner. However, the Board can investigate a complaint that a registered veterinary practitioner did not take reasonable measures to ensure a person assisting in the provision of veterinary services to an animal in their care had the knowledge, skills and capacity to enable them to perform the relevant activity.  (Guideline 6.2).

The Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Registration Scheme is a voluntary registration scheme for veterinary nurses and other personnel in Victoria who provide veterinary services. More information: AVNAT online register, Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia.

Yes. There may be additional risks when procedures that are usually performed in a veterinary clinic, hospital or consulting rooms are undertaken in a mobile clinic, off site or during a house call. A veterinary practitioner should assess how the additional risks may affect delivery of veterinary services and communicate the consequences to the owner and other relevant individuals before carrying out the procedure.

A veterinary practitioner providing emergency veterinary services in an adverse environment must take into account how their ability to control the facilities, equipment and assistance is affected by the situation and make reasonable adjustments without compromising the standard of their provision of veterinary services (Context, Guideline 6). A veterinary practitioner should assess whether they can appropriately meet the requirements of health and wellbeing, including human safety, in situations where facilities and conditions are variable (such as on a farm). In particular circumstances, a veterinary practitioner may be justified in refusing to administer services that they assess cannot be provided safely, taking into account any risks to themself, team members, owners and the public. More information: Working alone (Worksafe), Work-related driving (Worksafe).

A veterinary practitioner should always consider the wellbeing of an animal before moving to another site (e.g., recovery from anaesthesia, pain assessment), and be sure to communicate information about after care.

A veterinary practitioner should also adopt practices that mitigate cross contamination of veterinary facilities and non-veterinary facilities such as farms, stables and kennels / catteries / animal shelters through storage, handling, and cleaning and disinfecting equipment and facility work surfaces (Context, Guideline 7). A veterinary practitioner should adopt practices that minimise the risk of infectious diseases being introduced or transferred within a single site and/or between sites (Guideline 20.1).

In addition to the general requirements in Guideline 6 ‐ Veterinary facilities, equipment and assistance in the provision of veterinary services, see additional requirements for mobile veterinary services and off‐site visits in guidelines 6.4, 6.5, 6.6 and 6.7 on this page. Re storage of veterinary medicines in vehicles, see the Board's Guidance on access to and storage of pentobarbital.

Yes. Mobile businesses may have specific approval or licensing requirements with their local council and a veterinary practitioner should make sure their approval/licence is up-to-date.

There may be additional risks when procedures that are usually performed in a veterinary clinic, hospital or consulting rooms are undertaken during a house call. A veterinary practitioner should consider how the additional risks may affect the provision of veterinary services and communicate the consequences to the owner and other relevant individuals before carrying out the procedure.

A veterinary practitioner providing emergency veterinary services in an adverse environment must take into account how their ability to control the facilities, equipment and assistance is affected by the situation and make reasonable adjustments without compromising the standard of their provision of veterinary services (Context, Guideline 7).

A veterinary practitioner should assess whether they can appropriately meet the requirements of health and wellbeing, including human safety, in a house call - where facilities and conditions are variable. In some circumstances, a veterinary practitioner may be justified in refusing to administer services that cannot be provided safely, taking into account any risks to themself, team members, owners and the public. More information: Working alone (Worksafe), Work-related driving (Worksafe). 

A veterinary practitioner should also adopt practices that mitigate cross contamination of veterinary facilities and non-veterinary facilities ... through storage, handling, and cleaning and disinfecting equipment and facility work surfaces (Context, Guideline 7). A veterinary practitioner adopts practices that minimise the risk of infectious diseases being introduced or transferred within a single site and/or between sites (Guideline 20.1).

As well as the general requirements in Guideline 6, there are requirements which apply to house calls in Guidelines 6.4 to 6.7 above and Guideline 20. Re storage of veterinary medicines in vehicles, see the Board's Guidance on access to and storage of pentobarbital.

Yes. There may be additional risks when procedures that are usually performed in a veterinary clinic, hospital or consulting rooms are undertaken on a farm. A veterinary practitioner should consider how the additional risks may affect the provision of veterinary services and communicate the consequences to the owner and other relevant individuals before carrying out the procedure.

A veterinary practitioner providing emergency veterinary services in an adverse environment must take into account how their ability to control facilities, equipment and assistance is affected by the situation and make reasonable adjustments without compromising the standard of their provision of veterinary services (Context, Guideline 7). A veterinary practitioner should also assess whether they can appropriately meet the requirements of health and wellbeing, including human safety, on a farm visit - where facilities and conditions are variable. In some circumstances, a veterinary practitioner may be justified in refusing to administer services that cannot be provided safely, taking into account any risks to themself, team members, owners and the public. More information: Working alone (Worksafe), Work-related driving (Worksafe). 

A veterinary practitioner plays an important role in protecting Australian agriculture through delivering veterinary services in a manner that limits or eliminates biosecurity risks. This includes adopting practices that minimise the risk of transfer of animal disease through maintaining high standards of hygiene and infection control, whether in a clinic setting or on any alternative site where veterinary services are provided (Context, Guideline 20).

A veterinary practitioner should also adopt practices that mitigate cross contamination of veterinary facilities and non-veterinary facilities such as farms … through storage, handling, and cleaning and disinfecting equipment and facility work surfaces (Context, Guideline 7).

A veterinary practitioner should assess biosecurity risks in their delivery of veterinary services and take appropriate measures to minimise those risks. Similarly, a veterinary practitioner should raise concerns with and remedies for biosecurity risks they observe while delivering veterinary services to the owner of an animal or group of animals, and may also notify the appropriate government authority, based on the level of risk posed (Context, Guideline 20).

Under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994, a veterinary practitioner must report “notifiable diseases” and unusual deaths of unknown cause in livestock to the relevant authority. Notification responsibilities are particularly relevant to veterinary practitioners working with agricultural animals. As a failure to notify can have a significant impact on national agricultural industries, there are strong penalties related to this offence. Notification obligations take precedence over public interest and the VOA relationship. (Guideline 21.1 and Context, Guideline 21).

Where a veterinary practitioner reasonably believes that there exists, or potentially exists, a serious risk to the health and/or safety of the public and/or the health and wellbeing of an animal, the veterinary practitioner reports the matter to the relevant authority (Guideline 21.2).

In addition to the general requirements in Guideline 6, see in particular Guidelines 6.4 to 6.7 above and Guidelines 20 and 21 which apply to farm visits. Re storage of veterinary medicines in vehicles, see the Board's Guidance on access to and storage of pentobarbital.

This material is current only at the time of publication and may be changed from time to time. The Board reviews and updates the Guidelines on a continuous basis to reflect changes in the science and knowledge base underpinning contemporary veterinary practice. The Board will take reasonable steps to inform the veterinary profession when such updates are released but it remains the responsibility of the individual veterinary practitioner to ensure that their knowledge and application of these Guidelines to their own practice is current.

While the Board has made every effort to ensure that the material in these Guidelines is correct in law, it shall not be liable to any veterinary practitioner or any other person or entity in relation to any claim, action or proceeding whatsoever (whether in contract, negligence or other tort or in proceedings seeking any other form of legal or equitable remedy or relief) for any inadequacy, error or mistake, or for any deficiency in the whole or any part of this document (including any updates incorporated in the document from time to time). A veterinary practitioner or any other person or entity acting upon the contents of this document acknowledges and accepts that this is the basis upon which the Board has produced these Guidelines and made them available to such person or entity.