FAQs

The Veterinary Practice Amendment Regulations (VP Amendment Regulations) have been drafted and are now available for review. 

The Veterinary Practice Act 2021 (VPA) and the first tranche of the Veterinary Practice Regulations 2022 (VPR) came into effect on 18 June 2022. The VPA repealed the existing Veterinary Surgeons Act 1960 and Veterinary Surgeons Regulations 1979. The first tranche of the VPR supports the VPA’s functions but does not significantly change the day-to-day practice of veterinarians and others providing veterinary services in WA. 

The second tranche of the VPR, known as the VP Amendment Regulations, will update provisions to provide contemporary regulations for veterinary practice. In 2022, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) undertook two consultation processes seeking feedback on key provisions of the regulations. Consultation feedback in conjunction with other relevant factors detailed in the VP Amendment Regulations consultation report and DPIRD VP Amendment Regulations policy considerations paper informed the development of the draft VP Amendment Regulations. 

Stakeholders in veterinary practice-related services and interested community members are invited to make submissions on the draft regulations. 

Before making a submission, please read the following documents:

• draft VP Amendment Regulations
• consultation report
• VP Amendment Regulations policy considerations paper.

Yes. Submitters who would like their submission to remain confidential and not published should note this on the submission form.

Before providing comment, please ensure you have read the relevant parts of the draft VP Amendment Regulations, the consultation report and the VP Amendment Regulations policy considerations paper to see how previous feedback has been addressed.

Please use the online submission form to provide feedback that may significantly impact the VP Amendment Regulations and which has not already been provided during the previous consultations.

The submissions will be analysed and considered during the finalisation of the Veterinary Practice Amendment Regulations.

Submissions may be published online as part of a summary report after the consultation period has ended, but you can request your submission not be published. The online submission form will ask you to nominate whether you wish to have your submission published.

Before making a submission, please read the following documents:

• consultation draft VP Amendment Regulations
• consultation report
• VP Amendment Regulations policy considerations paper.

DPIRD will also schedule webinars in late January/early February to provide further insights.

To provide feedback:

• register (if you have previously registered on the DPIRD YourSay website, then just sign in)
• complete the survey.

If you have any difficulties registering or using the survey, please email VetPracticeRegs@dpird.wa.gov.au

To make a submission or to ask a question, first register on the DPIRD YourSay site (if you have previously registered, just sign in). You can then complete the online survey or ask a question.

If you have any difficulties registering, please email VetPracticeRegs@dpird.wa.gov.au 

For more information not included in the Consultation documents or the Important links on this webpage, please use the Questions tab on this webpage (you will need to register on the YourSay site first or sign in if you are already registered).

Further information will also be available at a webinar to be held in late January (date to be confirmed).

Alternatively, you can email VetPracticeRegs@dpird.wa.gov.au

A final draft of the VP Amendment Regulations will be considered by the Minister for Agriculture and Food and the Executive Council of the WA Government. 

A final consultation report will be published on this webpage.

The VP Amendment Regulations will be widely communicated when approved.