Accreditation
The Melbourne Veterinary School is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC). Accreditation is also obtained via the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). This section provides information on the accreditation process.
Accreditation Status: Full accreditation first achieved in 2006 - renewed in 2013. Following the recent virtual re-accreditation visit by AVBC/AVMA/RCVS in May 2021 we reverted to probationary status (AVMA/AVBC), and accredited for a shorter period (RCVS). These are not adverse decisions and do not affect the degree status of current students and graduates. The School is required to rectify some identified deficiencies within 2 years, which are largely due to the impacts of the COVID19 pandemic.
Last Site Visit: 2021 (Virtual)
Next Site Visit: 2022 AVBC/AVMA(Verification); 2023 RCVS (Full)
Additional information can be found at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) website and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council website.
American Veterinary Medical Association
Accreditation from the AVMA means that the University of Melbourne Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree is recognised in the United States and Canada, making our graduates eligible to sit the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination – a prerequisite for all veterinarians who seek to practise in North America.
Australasian Veterinary Boards Council
The Melbourne Veterinary School is recognised by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council through the Veterinary Schools Accreditation Advisory Committee (VSAAC), making Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) graduates eligible for registration with the Veterinary Surgeons' Board in each state and territory in Australia, and in New Zealand.
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK)
The University of Melbourne Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree is recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for the purposes of registration to practise veterinary medicine in the UK, and countries in Asia that accept degrees recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The latter include Singapore and Hong Kong.
North American Veterinary Licensing Examination Results
| Year | Students taking exam(s) | Students passing exam(s) | Percent passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2015 | 19 | 14 | 74% |
| 2015-2016 | 26 | 21 | 81% |
| 2016-2017 | 42 | 38 | 90% |
| 2017-2018 | 32 | 28 | 88% |
| 2018-2019 | 43 | 43 | 100% |
| 2019-2020 | 29 | 26 | 90% |
Australasian academic year (Jan-Dec; cumulative April and November scores):
| Year | Students taking exam(s) | Students passing exam(s) | Percent passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 23 | 23 | 100% |
| 2016 | 46 | 40 | 87% |
| 2017 | 31 | 27 | 87.5% |
| 2018 | 40 | 39 | 97.5% |
| 2019 | 30 | 27 | 90% |
| 2020 | 18 | 18 | 100% |
Establishment of the Melbourne Veterinary School
Since the creation of the new Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, the faculty was restructured to create two new schools, The Melbourne Veterinary School and the School of Agriculture and Food. This organisation will better support academic excellence in teaching, research and engagement.
The Melbourne Veterinary School’s DVM program is nationally and internationally accredited by the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). As required under Standard 1 (Organisation) of AVMA accreditation, the Head of the Melbourne Veterinary School, Professor Anna Meredith, is a registered veterinarian who is responsible for teaching, research, the budget, the hospital, staff appointments and development.