Australian Capital Territory
Explanatory Statement
Veterinary Surgeons (Fees) Determination 2005 (No 1)
Disallowable instrument DI2005 - 152
made under the
Veterinary Surgeons Act 1965, s58 (Determination of fees)

The Veterinary Surgeons Act (the Act) provides for the registration of veterinary surgeons and veterinary specialists and to control the conduct of veterinary practice and for related purposes.
Section 58 of the Act provides the Minister with the power to determine fees for the purposes of the Act.
The new determination revokes the fees determined by instrument No 113 of 2003 and sets new fees for the annual renewal fee, the initial registration fee, the mutual recognition fee, the fee to inspect the register and the entitlement to re-registration fee for veterinary surgeons and veterinary specialists.  The remaining fees are unaltered.
Since the commencement of the 1995/96 financial year, the Veterinary Surgeons Board has operated off budget, ie; it does not receive funds from Government and functions through a trust account.  In essence the revenue collected by the Board becomes the basis of its budget for the year.  In return the Board is responsible for paying for the services provided to it by the Health Professions Registration Boards Secretariat, and to meet other costs associated with the administration of the Act.
An increase to the above fees are proposed to cover the ongoing full cost recovery for services provided by the Board.  In addition, the recommended fees assist the Board to continue the self-supporting financial basis for the requirements of the Health Professionals Act 2004.