Hospital Licensing

Important Registration Information

Section 64 and 65 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 requires premises that perform major surgery involving the administration of anaesthetic to an animal be licensed by the Board. Major surgery may be performed outside of licensed premises if the surgery is in accordance with the guidelines for Major Surgery to be undertaken.

Premises that do not perform major surgery and only perform consultations, vaccinations...etc do not require a licence.

Section 66 makes it an offence for unlicensed premises to represent the premises as a veterinary hospital, clinic, surgery or any other name or description that is capable of being understood to indicate, or lead a person to believe that the premises are a veterinary hospital or entitled to be licensed under the Act.

Section 67 requires a licensed veterinary practice to appoint a Superintendent who is a registered veterinary practitioner. The Board must be notified in writing before a person assumes the duties of a Superintendent.

Section 68 requires the holder of a veterinary hospital licence to display a sign, printed in a style and size and placed in the reception area which would be expected to be seen by customers entering the premises.

The sign is to specify the type or types of major surgery authorised to be carried out on the premises.

Minimum requirements of a licensed veterinary hospital

Although the Veterinary Practice Act and Regulations do not specify the level of facilities and equipment necessary to apply for a hospital licence, the Board has issued guidelines of minimum standards for both small animal hospitals and large animal hospitals which should be attained before an application can be considered by the Board.

A floor plan of the veterinary hospital must also be submitted to the Board, along with the application form and nomination of Superintendent.

A veterinary hospital cannot open for business until a licence has been issued by the Board. An inspection of the premises will be conducted by the Hospital Inspector at an appointed time, however a practice may open for business once the licence has been issued.

Corporations and firms owning Veterinary Practices

Section 14 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 relates to corporations and firms owning veterinary practices and on the 9 May 2005, S14 commenced.

In summary, a company can own a veterinary practice if one or more veterinary practitioners (registered veterinary practitioner(s)) has or have a controlling interest in the company.

Also, a corporation or firm that provides veterinary services but whose principal business is the supply of goods or materials used in connection with agriculture so long as the provision of the veterinary services is at the same premises from which those goods and materials are supplied can also own a veterinary practice.

It must be noted that agriculture is meant to mean companies that typically supply farm products such as agricultural and veterinary chemical products. The intention of the legislation is not to mean other companies such as pet supply businesses.

For further information contact the Registrar.

Company Ownership

The Board expects that all companies that own a veterinary practice, comply with Section 14 of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 ("the Act"). The Board does not formally 'approve' company structures and it is the responsibility of each company to obtain their own independent legal advice regarding company owndership. Random audits of company structures may be conducted to ensure compliance with the legislation. Any questions regarding company ownership should be directed to the Registrar.

Print Forms

Click here for instructions on how to download and print application forms