June 2026 Issue 64
Veterinary Practitioners Board New South Wales
BoardTalk President’s Report As President of the Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW, I welcome the Minns Government’s proposed Veterinary Services Bill 2026 as a significant step toward modernising our regulatory framework and strengthening the profession. These reforms reflect long-standing priorities raised by veterinarians, particularly the need to improve workforce sustainability, enhance access to services, especially in regional and remote communities, and better support practitioner wellbeing. A clearer framework for mobile and telehealth services will expand care delivery, while the introduction of registration for veterinary nurses and technologists appropriately recognises their vital contribution and builds team-based capacity. Equally important is the move toward a fairer, more contemporary approach to complaints and investigations, supporting both public confidence and practitioner wellbeing. These changes acknowledge the essential role veterinarians play across animal welfare, agriculture, and biosecurity. Importantly, they represent meaningful progress toward a modern, transparent, and risk-based system that will help ensure a resilient and sustainable veterinary sector for NSW. I encourage the profession to engage in the consultation process.
Registration and licence renewals are due
Inside this issue Licence renewals ................... 2 Workforce report ................... 3 Complaints Committee .......... 4 Hospital transactions ............. 6 Complaints management....... 8 Sentience ............................... 9 Fitness for purpose .............. 10 Supplying sedatives ............. 14 Confidentiality .................... 18
Veterinary registration and hospital licence renewals are due 30 June. Registration renewal requires completion of the Annual Return followed by payment of the registration renewal fee of $330 (unless honorary). The annual registration renewal process is completed online using the Veterinary Board NSW portal. A late fee of $60 applies to registrations renewed after 30 June and if you have not renewed by 31 July your name will be removed from the Register. Restoration to the Register under these circumstances will incur an additional fee equal to the registration fee. Licence renewals are also completed online using the Veterinary Board NSW portal. Prior to payment a Hospital Annual Return will need to be completed by the superintendent or a veterinarian with a controlling interest in the licence. The annual licence renewal fee this year is $420 and must be completed prior to 30 June. It is possible with both registration and licence renewals to organise for someone else to pay by adding their name and email address. If you experience any difficulties with registration or licence renewals please call 8338 1177 or contact us.
Social media......................... 20 NSW DPIRD .......................... 22 NSW OLG ............................. 25 GWIC ................................... 26 APVMA ................................ 27 Please help! Survey: Pre-anaesthetic fasting Survey: Workplace noise Survey: Clinical Decision Systems Centenary Award Nomination