The Board is a body corporate established under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 (Act).  The Act and Veterinary Practice Regulation 2013 are within the portfolio of the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC.

The Board consists of 6 veterinarians and 2 non-veterinarians or consumer representatives.

The following people were appointed to the Board by the Governor of NSW 18 September 2024 for a three year term ending 30 June 2027:

• Sandra Nguyen representing specialist veterinary practitioners (Act s 77(2)(a)(i))
• Magdoline Awad representing veterinary practitioners in urban areas (Act s 77(2)(a)(ii))
• Peter Alexander representing veterinary practitioners in rural areas (Act s 77(2)(a)(iii))
• (Andrew) Neil Walton representing academics in the field of veterinary science (Act s 77(2)(a)(iv))
• Paul McGreevy veterinary practitioner selected by the Minister (Act s 77(2)(b))
• Julie (Borody) Simmons veterinary practitioner selected by the Minister (Act s 77(2)(b))
• Allison Harker consumer representative selected by the Minister (Act s 77(2)(c))
• Ellenor Nixon consumer representative selected by the Minister (Act s 77(2)(c))

The object of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 is to regulate the provision of veterinary services in NSW for the following purposes:

1. To promote the welfare of animals
2. To ensure consumers of veterinary services are well informed as to the competencies required of veterinary practitioners
3. To ensure that acceptable standards are required to be met by veterinary practitioners so as to meet the public interest and national and international trade requirements
4. To provide public health protection.

The Board achieves these purposes through performing a number of functions including: the registration of veterinary practitioners and licensing of veterinary hospitals; investigation of complaints against veterinary practitioners; developing codes of professional conduct for veterinary practitioners; enforcing the provisions of the Act and Regulation; promoting professional development of veterinary practitioners; and providing information to veterinary practitioners and consumers of veterinary services. 

The Board cooperates with other jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand to further a common and harmonious approach to regulation of the veterinary profession. This function is assisted through interaction with other state veterinary boards, the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc. (AVBC), and organisations representing the interests of members of the veterinary profession such as the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).

Strategic Plan 2023-2026