The Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland (the Board) is a statutory authority established by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936 (the Act), representing the State of Queensland and being part of the Department of Primary Industries for the Financial Accountability Act 2009.

It has the sole legislative responsibility for the regulation of veterinary science in Queensland.

The statute acts as a means to ensure domestic and international consumer protection and animal welfare in the delivery of veterinary services.

This is achieved by ensuring that the providers of veterinary services are suitably qualified and registered to practise veterinary science.

The Board is responsible for the registration of veterinarians and veterinary specialists and administers the disciplinary provisions of the Act in respect of professional misconduct by registrants and the performance of prohibited practices by non-registered persons.

The standard of veterinary premises is also regulated by the Board.

Board meeting dates for 2025

  • 30 and 31 January
  • 13 and 14 February
  • 3 and 4 April
  • 8 and 9 May
  • 19 and 20 June
  • 31 July and 1 August
  • 11 and 12 September
  • 23 and 24 October
  • 4 and 5 December

Membership

The Board consists of:

  • chairperson
  • 2 elected members
  • 3 other persons nominated by the Minister for Primary Industries.

Five members of the Board are required to be veterinarians.

All members, other than the chairperson, are appointed for a term of no more than 3 years.

The nominated member who is not a veterinarian is appointed to represent consumers on the Board.

The current Board representation is:

Chairperson

Dr David Thomson, BVSc

Senior Veterinary Officer, Department of Primary Industries

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Dr David Thomson, BVSc
Deputy Chairperson

Prof Margaret Reilly, BVSc, MVS

Nominee of the Minister for Primary Industries

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Prof Margaret Reilly, BVSc, MVS
Elected Members

Dr Terry King, BVSc, MANZCVS

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Dr Terry King, BVSc, MANZCVS

Dr Graham Lauridsen, BVSc

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Dr Graham Lauridsen, BVSc
Nominees of the Minister for Primary Industries

Ms Eileen Thumpkin

Consumer Representative – Non-Veterinarian

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Ms Eileen Thumpkin

Dr Ian Gallagher, BVSc, MANZCVS

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Dr Ian Gallagher, BVSc, MANZCVS

Officers

The Board is administered by 4 staff:

  • Registrar
  • Deputy Registrar
  • 2 project officers.

All officers are non-veterinarian employees of the Department of Primary Industries.

Complaints and compliments

You can provide feedback about our agency through the Department of Primary Industries.

Last updated: 06 Jun 2025