Veterinary Practitioners Board
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Policy on Registration & Acceptable Qualifications
Revised 27 August 2009
Graduates eligible for Full Registration without further examination.
Australian & NZ Graduates:
Graduates with an undergraduate degree from the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Murdoch University, University of Queensland and Massey University are eligible for registration in NSW without further examination.
Please complete Form 1 & Form 1d and refer to Form 1a, new graduates please refer also to Form 1c.
Secondary Registration
Veterinarians currently registered and residing in another Australian State or Territory may apply for Secondary Registration in NSW.
Please complete Form 1s & Form 1d and refer to Form 1a, new graduates please refer also to Form 1c.
UK Graduates:
(Irish Graduates see below for additional information.)
Graduates from the Universities of London (RCVS), Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Cambridge are eligible for registration in NSW without further examination.
Please complete Form 1 & Form 1d and refer to Form 1a, new graduates please refer also to Form 1c.
Overseas Graduates currently registered in New Zealand:
Overseas Graduates currently registered in New Zealand may apply for Full Registration in New South Wales without further examination under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement.
Please complete Form 1 & Form 1d, also see Form 1b.
You are currently or have been registered in another Australian State or Territory
Other EU Graduates:
Other EU graduates must sit the National Veterinary Examination (NVE) organised by the Australian Veterinary Boards Council, Inc (AVBC). (see details under All Other Graduates later in this document).
Exception:
An exception is made if the graduate is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK by EXAMINATION.
Certified proof of passing this examination must accompany the application.
If the above exception applies please complete Form 1 & Form 1d.
Irish Graduates
Graduates from the National University of Ireland (NUI) are required to sit the National Veterinary Examination (NVE) organised by the Australian Veterinary Boards Council, Inc (AVBC). (see details under All Other Graduates later in this document).
Exceptions:
Graduates from the NUI may be registered in NSW without further examination if they:
1. Have been registered in New Zealand prior to April 2001.
2. Are currently registered in New Zealand.
3. Have graduated in 2004, or after 2004.
4. Have been registered in another Australian State or Territory
Please complete Form 1 & Form 1d.
Applicants in point 5 below do not require Direct Board Approval and are not required to sit the NVE.
5. Graduates who have specific knowledge, skill and experience in thoroughbred breeding practices may apply for limited registration for the Australian Thoroughbred Breeding Season. Direct supervision may be a condition to registration. However, such applicants are required to provide references and other documentation illustrating their specific skills. Limited application forms are to be accompanied by a letter from the superintendent at the practice where they intend to work. This should state the nature of the work the applicant will be involved in.
Please complete Form 2 and have a registered practitioner in NSW complete Form 2a (supervision form).
South African Graduates
Graduates of the University of Pretoria (Onderstepoort) are no longer required to sit for the National Veterinary Examination (NVE) and may be registered in NSW without further examination.
Full Registration (be employed directly by the University of Sydney)
Highly skilled overseas graduates applying for registration to be employed directly by the University of Sydney may apply for Full Registration.
Conditions on the registration pursuant to section 19 (3) (a) of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 as set by the Board will apply to the registration.
The application for Full Registration must be accompanied by a covering letter from the University of Sydney stating the purpose of the registration.
Direct Board Approval is required for exemption from the requirement to pass the NVE.
After an application has been received in full by the Board, the application is placed before the Board at its next meeting for a decision.
Graduates Recognised by the AVBC Inc. (including North American Graduates)
The following veterinary degree qualifications have been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The Board recognises these qualifications by agreement with the AVBC Inc:
UNITED STATES
- • ALABAMA - Auburn University, Tuskegee University
• CALIFORNIA - University of California, Western University of Health Sciences
• COLORADO - Colorado State University
• FLORIDA - University of Florida
• GEORGIA - University of Georgia
• ILLINOIS - University of Illinois
• INDIANA - Purdue University
• IOWA - Iowa State University
• KANSAS - Kansas State University
• LOUISIANA - Louisiana State University
• MASSACHUSETTS - Tufts University
• MICHIGAN - Michigan State University
• MINNESOTA - University of Minnesota
• MISSISSIPPI - Mississippi State University
• MISSOURI - The University of Missouri-Columbia
• NEW YORK - Cornell University
• NORTH CAROLINA - North Carolina State University
• OHIO - The Ohio State University
• OKLAHOMA - Oklahoma State University
• OREGON - Oregon State University
• PENNSYLVANIA - University of Pennsylvania
• TENNESSEE - University of Tennessee
• TEXAS - Texas A & M University
• VIRGINIA – MARYLAND - Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University/University of Maryland College Park
• WASHINGTON - Washington State University
• WISCONSIN - University of Wisconsin - Madison
CANADA
- • ONTARIO - University of Guelph, University of Toronto
• PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND - University of Prince Edward Island
• QUEBEC - Université de Montréal
• SASKATCHEWAN - University of Saskatchewan
THE NETHERLANDS
- • State University of Utrecht
Graduates of the above universities must have either successfully completed the AVMA National Board and Clinical Competency Test Examinations/North American Veterinary Licencing Exam(NAVLE) or have fulfilled the requirements of the National Examining Board of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
They must also have the right to practice in either the United States or Canada.
Evidence of successfully passing these examinations must be attached to the application. Such applicants are also required to provide evidence that they are currently registered in either the United States or Canada.
As the applicant is not a graduate from one of the Universities listed under “Graduates eligible for full registration without further examination” above, Direct Board Approval is required for exemption from the requirement to pass the National Veterinary Exam (NVE).
After an application has been received in full by the Board, the application is placed before the Board at its next meeting for a decision.
Please complete Form 1 & Form 1d, also see Form 1b.
Please Note:
If the applicant cannot produce evidence of successfully passing either of these examinations they must sit the National Veterinary Examination (NVE), (see details under All Other Graduates later in this document).
Examination Process of the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG)
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.
All Other Graduates
Applicants from all other Universities must sit the National Veterinary Examination (NVE).
- Exception:
- An exception is made as the Board also recognises the exams of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) National Board and Clinical Competency Test Examinations/North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE) and that of the National Examining Board of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
- Such applicants MUST have graduated from a university whose course of instruction was in English, if not they will be required to complete the process of the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG).
They must also have the right to practise in either the United States or Canada.
Evidence of successfully passing these examinations must be attached to the application.
Direct Board Approval from the requirement to pass the NVE is required.
After an application has been received in full by the Board, the application is placed before the Board at its next meeting for a decision.
Applicants who are not covered by the above exception must sit the NVE:
The NVE is organised by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) and the AVBC should be contacted for further details. www.avbc.asn.au
The NVE has 3 components:
- 1. English language test (if applicable)
2. NVE Preliminary Examination (Multiple Choice Questions -written)
3. NVE Final Examination (clinical)
- 4. Having first passed 1. English Language Test and 2 . NVE Preliminary Examination (Multiple Choice Questions -written) and is enrolled to sit the final clinical exam (proof of these must accompany the application), candidates may apply for Limited Registration which will allow them to gain experience whilst studying for the clinical exam.
Limited application forms should be accompanied by a letter from the candidate stating the reason for the application and the timeframe that limited registration is required for.
Please complete Form 2 and have a registered practitioner in NSW complete Form 2a (supervision form).
A letter from a registered Veterinary Practitioner in New South Wales agreeing to Immediate and direct supervision of the applicant and to take full responsibility for their actions is also required. Once the NVE has been passed, the applicant may apply for full registration.
Form 2a (supervision form).
Graduates of the NVE who are applying for full registration for the first time in New South Wales (i.e. have not been registered in another Australian jurisdiction or in New Zealand) are to be interviewed by the Registrar prior to the granting of full registration.
Voluntary Work
Any veterinary surgeon undertaking voluntary work must be registered. Any person (whether paid for their services or not) must be registered if they are to carry out acts of veterinary science.
In special circumstances the Board may grant limited registration to persons who would not otherwise qualify for registration in NSW.
Students
Students enrolled in a course of study referred to in section 21 (1) (a) of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 and are doing a restricted act of veterinary science stated in regulation 4 of the Veterinary Practice Regulation 2006 as part of the requirements of that course under the direct supervision of a veterinary practitioner are no longer required to have a student permit.
Honorary Registration
A person who is a registered Veterinary Practitioner may apply for honorary registration if the person:
- • has been registered for at least 40 years, OR
- • has been registered for a substantial time and is 65 years or above, OR
- • the person's standing in the profession of veterinary science is such to justify the person's registration as an honorary Veterinary Practitioner.
Honorary veterinary surgeons are still legally registered veterinarians. There is no charge (Annual Registration Fee) for those having honorary registration in consideration of their long service to the profession.
A request for honorary registration must be in writing. For honorary registration to be approved, the Board must be satisfied that the above criteria have been met.
Please complete Form 3.
Visas
All veterinary surgeons practising in NSW require a valid work visa. It is the responsibility of the employer (not the Board) to ensure that all employees have a current working holiday/business visa. The employer is also required to check that all employees are currently registered with the NSW Board.
All queries regarding visas should be directed to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship
