You will require evidence of current registration with the NSW Veterinary Surgeons Board. Your 2004 Registration Card should be sufficient for this. However, as 2005 Registration Cards have not been issued yet, you may request a receipt of your 2005 Annual Roll Fee payment.

Further information on AQIS Accreditation may be obtained by contacting:
Dr Christopher Branson
Telephone: (02) 6272 4427
Email: christopher.branson@daff.gov.au

The establishment of the Australian Veterinary Reserve (AVR) is one of the major recommendations of the Review of Rural Veterinary Services and a significant milestone in realising the potential of our national veterinary resource.

Launched at the Australian Veterinary Association's conference on 3rd May 2004, the AVR involves non-government veterinarians in government programs initially by providing paid training in national emergency animal disease preparedness.

The program is open to all non-government vets and will complement existing government resources, developing business diversity for rural practitioners and providing opportunities for better integration of veterinary services. Go to their website for more information.

Effective from Tuesday 1 June 2004, it will be an offence in New South Wales under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 to dock the tail of a dog unless:

the docking is done by a person who is registered as a veterinary surgeon in NSW;
the docking is in the interests of the dog’s welfare.
This means that any non-veterinarian who docks a tail is liable for prosecution and any veterinarian who docks a tail other than in the interests of the dog’s welfare is liable for prosecution.

The Act is enforced by officers of NSW Police, RSPCA NSW and the Animal Welfare League NSW. The maximum penalty for individuals convicted of this offence is $5,500 or imprisonment for six months or both, or $27,500 for corporations. Please see: http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au

The AVBC Inc. has recognised the Examination Process of the ECFVG as an acceptable assessment of minimum standards for entry into the Profession in Australia and New Zealand. The NSW Board will register veterinarians who have passed this assessment and who are able to demonstrate satisfactory competency in the English language and are able to fulfil other registration criteria. Applicants are advised to contact the Registrar prior to submitting an application for registration.