The Code of Professional Conduct is endorsed under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003.  The full (updated) Code is available to download Code of Prof Conduct 0305.pdf

It is in the interest of all veterinarians to be familiar with the full document, as it is used as the benchmark in all matters of conduct. It should be read in conjunction with the Handbook, which contains policies laid down by the Board, and the Australian Veterinary Association Ltd Code of Professional Conduct, to be found at www.ava.com.au, (which expands on some areas).

The basic principles are as follows:

• The primary concern of the profession is for the welfare of the animals.
• All work performed by veterinarians is to a standard of competence acceptable to their peers.
• Veterinarians, individually, act to promote cohesion within the profession and the trust of the profession by the general public.
• No personal advantage is sought to the detriment of a professional colleague.

Veterinary Surgeons Act Regulations, Fourth Schedule, Rules of Conduct:

A registered person must not practise veterinary surgery in a manner that would be likely to bring the practice of veterinary surgery into disrepute.

Download the Code of Conduct (350k PDF)