Veterinary surgeon registration

A person is entitled to be registered as a veterinary surgeon in Queensland if the person is of good fame and character and is the holder of a recognised veterinary degree.

Good fame and character is demonstrated immediately after graduation by provision of certificates of good fame and character and thereafter by certificates of good standing from the veterinary boards of states or countries from where the person was last registered.

The veterinary qualifications recognised as entitling the holder to registration in Australia and New Zealand without further examination are determined by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc (AVBC), of which the Queensland Board is a member. The list of recognised qualifications is published on the AVBC Inc website www.avbc.asn.au/skills.htm.

Persons possessing a degree from other veterinary institutions throughout the world must successfully complete the National Veterinary Examination (NVE) conducted by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc before they are eligible for registration. The NVE consists of an occupational English test if required, and a written and clinical examination. Successful completion of the NVE indicates the certificate holder has skills and knowledge equivalent to that of a graduate of an Australian Veterinary School.

Veterinary specialist registration

A veterinarian is entitled to be registered as a veterinary specialist if the person satisfies the Board that:

  1. the person has gained special skill in the veterinary specialty with respect to which the person applies to be registered;
  2. the special skill was gained in practising veterinary science for a period of at least five years;
  3. the person is the holder of a recognised qualification that relates to that specialty.

The certifying bodies that set the standards acceptable for specialist registration are:

  • The Australian College of Veterinary Scientists
  • The American Board of Veterinary Specialties
  • The European Board of Veterinary Specialisation
  • The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

A list of recognised specialist categories and the applicable qualification is shown as Annex A in the Specialist Registration Information Booklet.

It is an offence for a person who is not a registered veterinary specialist to use a title that consists of, or includes the words ‘veterinary specialist’, or an abbreviation of the words or another title or name suggesting in the context used that the person is a specialist (ie special interest in, consultant).

Specialists who have been removed from the Register of Veterinary Specialists may make application for restoration of their name to the Register.

Overseas graduates with non-accredited qualifications

Overseas veterinarians with qualifications that are not accredited for the purposes of registration in Australia may apply for candidacy of the National Veterinary Examination (NVE) conducted by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc (AVBC). Follow the link to the AVBC website. www.avbc.asn.au

Approval for non–registered veterinarians to perform certain acts of veterinary science under direction

The Board may grant approval for a person to perform certain acts of veterinary science under the direction of a registered veterinarian. Approval may be considered in circumstances where the person must comply with further requirements before the person’s qualifications can be recognised as entitling the holder to registration in the State.

Consideration of approvals will be restricted to the following applicants -

Graduate veterinarians with overseas qualifications not recognised as entitling the holder to registration in Australia without further examination:

  1. who have successfully completed the Preliminary Examination (MCQ) component of the National Veterinary Examination (NVE) conducted by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc. (AVBC) and have been formally accepted as a candidate for the Final Examination (Clinical); or
  2. who are required to undertake practical training as part of a formal course of study leading to attainment of a further qualification that is recognised in Australia as entitling the holder to registration as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary specialist.

Last updated: 22 Jun 2023