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AQIS Accredited Veterinarians (Livestock)
Under Australia's Export Control Act 1982, an Approved Export Program (AEP) for livestock export must only be carried out by an AQIS accredited veterinarian (AAV). A veterinarian for this purpose is defined under section 4A.01 of the Export Control (Animals) Order 2004 as a person who is registered under the law of a state or territory as a veterinarian, veterinary practitioner or veterinary surgeon.
In order to apply for accreditation as an AQIS accredited veterinarian, a veterinarian must:
- be registered by a state/territory veterinary surgeons board in the state in which he/she is intending to conduct export work
- have completed Animal Health Australia's Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians (APAV)
- have successfully completed the online AQIS Accredited Veterinarian program.
Note: To be accredited to undertake shipboard work, the veterinarian must also be an Australian citizen.
The steps below outline the process involved in becoming and maintaining veterinary accreditation with AQIS:
- Complete the Initial Accreditation Training Program of the Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians (APAV)
- Complete the AQIS Accredited Veterinarian Program AAVet
- Forward to AQIS an Application for Accreditation of Veterinarians for Live-stock Export form
- Veterinary work required to be undertaken by an AAV
- Auditing
1. Complete the Initial Accreditation Training Program of the Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians (APAV)
APAV is administered by Animal Health Australia and is the national program designed to integrate private veterinary practitioners into the national animal health system to support the international standing of Australia's animal health service capability.
The program aims to have an internationally recognised process for accrediting non-government veterinarians for involvement in government and industry animal disease programs.
To obtain further information about the program, or to order an application form and handbook, visit the Animal Health Australia website.
2. Complete the AQIS Accredited Veterinarian Program AAVet
After you have successfully completed the APAV, you are eligible to complete the AQIS Accredited Veterinarian Program AAVet.
The AAVet program is an online training course for veterinarians who wish to be accredited by AQIS to undertake Approved Export Programs for livestock export.
The AAVet program has been developed by AQIS in conjunction with Animal Health Australia. It aims to inform veterinarians involved in the export of livestock of their legislative responsibilities as an AQIS accredited veterinarian. It is designed to complement the Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians. It also provides relevant background information about the livestock export process.
The course can be undertaken at your own pace with assessment by on-line modules. Altogether it should take approximately six hours to complete, however, times will vary depending on your background and experience within the industry.
The cost of the AAVet course is $220.00, including GST. When you enrol in the AAVet course you undertake to pay the course fees. The AAVet Program is administered by Animal health Australia. To enrol in the AAVet course, visit the Animal Health Australia website.
3. Forward to AQIS an Application for Accreditation of Veterinarians for Live-stock Export form
Once you have successfully completed both the initial accreditation training program of the Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians and the AQIS Accredited Veterinarian Program, complete the Application for Accreditation of Veterinarians for Live-stock Export form. This form is also used when you need to annually renew your accreditation status.
Application for Accreditation of Veterinarians for Live–stock Export 
PDF [89kb]
Accreditation of a veterinarian is for one year from the date of the notice of accreditation, unless the accreditation is withdrawn earlier at the request of the veterinarian or revoked. If you need to vary your accreditation, you must apply to the LAE program in Canberra.
The application form must be accompanied by:
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Proof of registration as a veterinarian in each state or territory for which you wish to be accredited in the form of a certified copy of an official document of the board(s).
If you are applying to undertake ship-board services, your application must also be accompanied by proof of Australian citizenship in the form of a certified copy of:
a) an Australian birth certificate (if born in Australia before 20 August 1986), or
b) a Certificate of Evidence of Australian Citizenship, or
c) a Certificate of Australian Citizenship (if born overseas), or
d) an extract from the register of Australian citizenship by descent, or
e) a valid Australian passport (front page on which details are presented).
Post the completed form and supporting documentation to the Live Animal Exports (LAE) Program in Canberra:
Phone: 02 6272 4581
Fax: 02 6272 5423
Email: Live Animal Exports
Post: Live Animal Exports Program
AQIS
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Charges
Please do not send payment with this application, as an invoice for payment will be issued separately.
4. Veterinary work required to be undertaken by an AAV
AQIS issues Approved Export Programs (AEPs) to exporters preparing livestock consignments for export that contain tasks which must be completed by an AAV. The tasks included in an AEP could involve preparation of animals before export or during an export voyage.
An AEP generally includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- treatments and testing procedures that must be completed by an AAV after the livestock enter pre-export isolation or quarantine
- treatment and testing specified by the importing country to be done by an AAV
- inspections of livestock to evaluate them for signs of disease and fitness to travel.
All veterinarians working with livestock intended for export should receive a copy of the AEP from the exporter contracting them to undertake the work before commencing any treatments or procedures.
If the AAV is required to travel with the export consignment, it is their responsibility to complete both the daily voyage reports and end of voyage reports. The daily voyage reports may be faxed to the Canberra office of the LAE Program. The End of Voyage report must be received by the AQIS Canberra office within five working days of the end of the voyage.
According to Section 4A.14 of the Export Control (Animals) Orders 2004, all AAVs are required to keep records in relation to activities undertaken as part of an AEP.
5. Auditing
Animal Health Australia maintains a database of APAV accredited veterinarians' details to facilitate engagement of accredited veterinarians by governments or industries with responsibility for APAV operational programs. The APAV requires these agencies to conduct audits if the APAV veterinarians are employed in their programs.
AQIS will audit AAVs to evaluate compliance with the Export Control Act 1982 and subordinate legislations.
Accreditation and contact details for current AAVs (livestock)
Please note: The information provided in this web page is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Live Animal Exports program endeavours to keep this web page current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. The general public are advised to contact the relevant AQIS office for the latest information.
23 Jun 2011