Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians (APAV)
APAV is an “umbrella” program designed to ensure that Australian animal health assurance, certification and control programs involving non-government veterinarians are managed to a high quality and to nationally consistent standards. It underpins international recognition of the role of Australian accredited veterinarians in national and State programs.
The APAV currently includes each of the following “accreditation” programs.
- Australian Johne’s Disease Market Assurance Program for Alpaca (AlpacaMAP);
- Australian Johne’s Disease Market Assurance Program for Cattle (CattleMAP);
- Australian Johne’s Disease Market Assurance Program for Sheep (SheepMAP);
- Australian Johne’s Disease Market Assurance Program for Goats (GoatMAP);
- National Ovine Johne’s Disease Program (NOJDP)
- Victorian Johne’s Disease Agreed Test and Control Program;
- Victorian EBL Control Program;
- South Australian EBL Control Program;
- AQIS Third Party Pre-Export Preparation of Livestock;
- AQIS Third Party Pre-Export Preparation of Companion Animals;
- AQIS Accreditation for Embryo Transfer Veterinarians.
Management responsibility for the APAV rests with Animal Health Australia. However, testing and accreditation approval functions for both the APAV and accreditation programs remain firmly a responsibility of State agencies.
Before APAV was introduced it received the support of all major stakeholder groups. The Program has been approved by the national committee of Chief Veterinary Officers (Animal Health Committee) and the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC). The Australian Veterinary Association has also provided support and encouragement to the development and adoption of the APAV.
If you wish to become a nationally Accredited Veterinarian, it is necessary for you to read the “Accreditation Program for Australian Veterinarians” booklet and if you agree to the conditions of the program, submit an “Application for Accreditation”. This information is available upon request.
When the Chief Veterinary Officer of your state receives your application, he or she will review your performance to date and, unless dissatisfied, will forward your application to Animal Health Australia.
Within 30 days, Animal Health Australia will then send you an initial training program folder, containing information about key aspects of the APAV, the Australian veterinary services and the operation and management of various aspects of animal disease control in Australia and internationally.
The training program folder will include information (and activity sheets) on:
- Organisation of animal health services in Australia;
- International animal health issues;
- Animal disease programs;
- Legal, ethical and professional responsibilities of an Accredited Veterinarian;
- Emergency disease responsibilities of veterinarians;
- Livestock welfare issues;
- Use of veterinary laboratories;
- Diagnostic tests in animal health programs.
Before you are registered as an Accredited Veterinarian, you are required to complete each of these Activities to the satisfaction of your CVO. If you already have a sound understanding of the issues, you may not need to refer to the training information to complete the various Activities. In this case, I hope that you may find the information valuable as a reference to the important issues associated with your appointment.
Once Animal Health Australia is advised that you have satisfactorily completed the assessments, your name will be added to the national register of Accredited Veterinarians. Animal Health Australia will also send you a Certificate of Accreditation that will remain valid while you are recognised as an Accredited Veterinarian on the national register. There is an annual renewal fee and Animal Health Australia will send out an invoice for this in early December each year.
Should you have any queries about the Accredited Veterinarian program or wish to request the booklet and application form, please contact the Victorian APAV Coordinator (Dr Iain McLaren) at the address below, or click on the attached link to down load an application form.
Dr Iain McLaren
Principal Veterinary Officer (Policy Development)
Victorian APAV Coordinator
tel : 03 9217 4246
fax : 03 9217 4322
email : patricia.zimmer@dpi.vic.gov.au
Accreditation program for Australian Veterinarians
