Governance – AVBC

AVBC is governed by a skills-based Board of Directors, accountable to a Council of member registration boards.

Council
Council comprises a representative from each of AVBC’s member veterinary registration boards from Australia and New Zealand. As the membership body of the Company Limited by Guarantee, Council provides the democratic foundation of AVBC’s governance. The Board of Directors governs on Council’s behalf.

AVBC’s Council of Members is comprised of the veterinary registration authorities from each Australian state and territory, together with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. These statutory bodies are responsible for the registration and regulation of veterinarians within their respective jurisdictions. Each Member organisation appoints a representative to the Council to act on its behalf.

View Current Member Registration Boards

Board of Directors
AVBC is governed on a day-to-day basis by a Board of Directors, which is responsible for the organisation’s strategy, financial stewardship, risk management, and overall direction. The Board and the Council of Members operate within a shared governance framework, with distinct roles and responsibilities as set out in the AVBC Constitution

Prof Jan Thomas — Chair

Dr Charlie Blackwood

David Ensor

Inma Beaumont

Kym Ayscough

Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (FARC)
Supports the Board in its oversight of financial management, audit, and risk. Responsible for reviewing financial reporting, audit appointments, budget recommendations, and risk management frameworks.

Nominations, Remuneration & Governance Committee (NRG)
Supports the Board in fulfilling its governance obligations. Responsible for overseeing Board composition and succession, director nominations and appointments, remuneration frameworks, and governance practice review.

AVBC’s standards and accreditation work is carried out through three standing committees:

Veterinary Schools Accreditation Advisory Committee (VSAAC)
Responsible for accreditation and recognition of veterinary education programs, both domestically and internationally.

Advisory Committee on the Registration of Veterinary Specialists (ACRVS)
Responsible for assessment of veterinary specialists and their training & qualifications.

Australasian Veterinary Examination Committee (AVEC)
Responsible for administering the Australasian Veterinary Examination for international veterinary graduates with unrecognised qualifications.