Internationally trained veterinarians

Practising under supervision

Under section 18A of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936, you may be allowed to practise under the supervision of a Queensland-registered veterinarian if:

• your international qualification is not immediately recognised for registration in Australia

and

• you are completing requirements for full registration.

Eligibility

You must have completed the Preliminary (MCQ) Examination of the Australasian Veterinary Examination (AVE) administered by the AVBC and been formally accepted as a candidate for:

• the Final (Clinical) Examination of the AVE

or

• a recognised equivalent examination.

Alternatively, you could have partly completed:

• the Final (Clinical) Examination of the AVE

or

• a recognised equivalent examination.

Conditions

• All your practice must be conducted under the direction of a veterinarian who is registered in Queensland. The veterinarian must be present at and provide oversight of your activities.
• You may be granted approval until you successfully complete the qualifying examination and register as a veterinary surgeon. The time allowed for this is up to 5 years.
• Your name and qualifications must be displayed at the practice and include ‘Australasian Veterinary Examination Candidate’.
• Clients must be made aware that you were trained overseas and are qualifying for the AVE (or equivalent qualification).
• You must agree to the terms, conditions and restrictions under section 18A(4)(b) of the Act.
• Practising under supervision is not registration to practise. Your approval allows you to perform acts of veterinary science except for:
  • signing certificates such as vaccination certificates and reports
  • prescribing drugs.

Services for equine and production animals

Your approval allows you to provide routine veterinary services to horses and production animals on the property of an owner. However, this is permitted only after the owner:

• consults with your supervising veterinarian
• agrees to have you provide the services
• is given clear information about your qualifications and the limitations of your approval.

How to apply

• Complete the online application form. Choose ‘Register as a vet or specialist’, then ‘Application to perform certain acts under direction’.
• Pay the annual fee at the time of submission.
• Attach the required documents.

Required documents

• A certificate of good fame and character confirming your professional reputation
• A letter confirming your good standing issued by a relevant veterinary registration authority, for example the jurisdiction where you currently are or most recently were registered as a veterinarian
• A copy of your primary veterinary degree verifying the qualification and the date it was awarded
• A certified copy of photographic identification (such as a drivers licence or passport) endorsed as a true copy by one of the following:
  • a Commissioner for Declarations
  • a Justice of the Peace
  • a Notary Public
  • an Australian-registered veterinarian (with the veterinarian's signature, place of registration and registration number)
• An employer declaration completed by the supervising veterinarian confirming they have reviewed and accepted the terms and conditions of your approval

Arranging supervision

You must locate a registered veterinarian who is willing to supervise your practice. Your application cannot proceed if you do not have an agreed supervisor.

Undertaking research, teaching and clinical practice

Under section 19E of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936, you may gain approval to engage in research or teaching in veterinary science at:

• The University of Queensland

or

• James Cook University.

Eligibility

• You must meet the English language requirements of the AVBC if English is not your first language.
• If you are seeking registration as a veterinary specialist, you must:
  • be eligible for specialist registration in your country of origin
  • have completed a recognised AVBC specialist training program (certified by the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, American Board of Veterinary Specialties, European Board of Veterinary Specialisation, or Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons).
• You must have practised veterinary science and developed special skills for at least 5 years.
• You must have been assessed by The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science or James Cook University Veterinary School as having qualifications suitable for research or teaching in veterinary science.

Conditions

• You must be engaged in a specialist position that incorporates a substantial component of duties devoted to clinical teaching and/or research.
• The veterinary school must not gain commercial advantage through your special registration.
• You may not derive any fee or reward outside the terms of your employment with the veterinary school.
• Your authorisation for the purposes of the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021 does not extend to purchasing drugs and poisons in your name.
• You and the veterinary school must notify the Veterinary Surgeons Board in writing if your employment is terminated.
• You must pay the same registration and renewal fees as registered veterinary surgeons.
• Your special registration can be removed if you:
  • engage in professional misconduct
  • are convicted of an offence
  • contravene a condition of your registration.

How to apply

• Complete the online application form. Choose ‘Register as a vet or specialist’, then ‘Special registration for research or teaching’.
• Pay the annual fee at the time of submission.
• Attach the required documents (translated into English if applicable).

Required documents

• A letter of good standing from your current registration board
• A copy of your primary veterinary degree
• A certified copy of photographic identification (such as a drivers licence, passport or student ID) endorsed as a true copy by one of the following:
  • a Commissioner for Declarations
  • a Justice of the Peace
  • a Notary Public
  • a registered veterinarian (with the veterinarian’s signature, place of registration and registration number)
• Documentation confirming English language requirements have been met
• A submission from the veterinary school outlining the case for your special registration, including:
  • the purpose of your employment
  • your suitability for the position
  • a tenure of employment
  • a percentage breakdown of duties (for example research, teaching, clinical practice—model: 40%, 40%, 20%)
  • the need for engagement and special registration of a person other than an AVBC-recognised specialist.

Application process and assessment

All applications are assessed individually. The Veterinary Surgeons Board reserves the right to approve or decline applications based on documentation and compliance with eligibility criteria.

More information

• Email vsbqldregistrations@daf.qld.gov.au
• Contact us