21 September 2023
[Melbourne, Victoria] – The Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) today passed a special resolution to add the Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia (VSBSA) to its list of members. The unanimous vote on the return of the VSBSA to the AVBC signifies the possibility of adopting national (with New Zealand) policies supporting the highest standards of veterinary regulation and synergy within the Australasian veterinary regulatory community.
The AVBC is composed of veterinary regulatory boards and membership organisations across Australia and New Zealand. Its purposes include encouraging cooperation among the veterinary boards in Australia and New Zealand and encouraging standardisation and quality assurance of veterinary services to the community in all jurisdictions.
Dr. Peter Gibbs, Chair of AVBC, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia back into the AVBC fold. This renewed collaboration underscores our collective determination to foster a culture of cooperation, knowledge sharing, and upholding the highest ethical and professional standards for veterinary services throughout our region.”
Ms Sonya Beyers, Presiding Member of the VSBSA, said, “The current Board of the VSBSA has been undertaking considerable consultation with the profession in South Australia and to ensure that we foster a robust profession and strengthen animal welfare and public protection, it is beneficial that the VSBSA join efforts with the AVBC to deliver on projects including sustainable practice, regulatory innovation and cultural change.”
The VSBSA’s participation enriches AVBC’s network of veterinary regulatory authorities, enabling the exchange of valuable insights and expertise to establish and uphold consistent regulatory standards prioritising animal welfare.
A formal application will now go to the associations’ registrar to approve this change in the AVBC constitution.
For more information about the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council please contact: admin@avbc.asn.au or telephone the office on: + 61 3 9620 7844.
For more information about the Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia please complete the online form here: https://vsb.sa.gov.au/contact/ or telephone the office on: +61 8 8359 3334.
Photo: Representatives from VSBSA attended
AVBC’s Melbourne Workshop and Council meeting in May this year.
Notes for editors:
The Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) has three core functions: to provide a forum for discussion, advice and co-operation among the veterinary boards in Australia and New Zealand; to encourage the standardisation and quality assurance of veterinary services to the community; and to assure and promote uniform educational standards through accreditation of veterinary schools, the Australasian Veterinary Examination, assessment of veterinary qualifications for migration and assessment of specialist qualifications.
The Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia (VSBSA) is an independent statutory authority which regulates the provision of veterinary treatment to protect the public interest and animal health, safety and welfare. The Board works to ensure those in the profession achieve and maintain high professional standards of competence and conduct in their provision of veterinary treatment.