Understanding the AVA’s Role in Veterinary Complaints
12 Sep 2025Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) is reminding members that while concerns about laypeople performing veterinary procedures or using sedatives are serious, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is not a regulatory authority and cannot investigate or discipline veterinarians.
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Instead, complaints involving professional misconduct, misuse of restricted drugs, or unqualified individuals should be directed to the relevant Veterinary Surgeons Board in each state or territory. These boards have the legal authority to investigate breaches under their respective Veterinary Acts.
Veterinary Boards can address issues such as:
- Professional misconduct or unethical behaviour
- Breaches of registration or misrepresentation
However, they do not handle disputes over fees, animal welfare concerns, or employment conditions, these fall under other agencies like the RSPCA, Fair Work, or consumer affairs bodies.
The AVA continues to support its members through advocacy, education, and wellbeing initiatives, and urges anyone with serious concerns to gather appropriate evidence and contact their local board. The AVA Advocacy team has been in recent discussions with the NSW Veterinary Surgeons Board on matters relating to lay persons performing acts of vet science and has advised members to continue raising complaints directly with their state Veterinary board.
Veterinary Surgeons Boards – Contact Links
Here are the official websites for each state and territory board:
- ACT: Veterinary Practitioners Board ACT
- NSW: Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW
- NT: Veterinary Board of the Northern Territory
- QLD: Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland
- SA: Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia
- TAS: Veterinary Board of Tasmania
- VIC: Vetboard Victoria
- WA: Veterinary Practice Board of Western Australia