- Temporary Full Time – up to 12-month opportunity
- 35 hours per week
- Location: Newington, NSW
- Professional Officer Grade 1/4 - salary from $89,934 – $145,442 pa + super commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience
About the Role
As a Veterinary Compliance Officer, you will play an important role in upholding and promoting high standards of animal welfare across NSW. Working within the Compliance Investigations Unit, you’ll ensure compliance with key legislation administered by NSW DPIRD — including the Animal Research Act and Exhibited Animals Protection Act — through compliance monitoring, enforcement, education and advisory activities.
You will work closely with industry, statutory committees, and internal compliance teams, providing expert veterinary advice to support sound regulatory outcomes. This role suits a confident communicator who can navigate complex and sensitive issues with professionalism, objectivity and integrity.
To be successful in this role, you must have:
- Degree in Veterinary Science
- Registration as a veterinary practitioner under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003
- Current NSW Driver's License and the ability and willingness to travel within NSW
What you’ll be doing
In this role, you will:
- Develop and implement risk-based compliance programs and report on program outcomes
- Investigate potential breaches of animal welfare legislation and apply timely, evidence-based and proportionate enforcement action
- Provide clear compliance guidance, education and specialist veterinary advice across livestock, biosecurity, exhibited animals and animal research
- Prepare accurate briefings and reports to support regulatory decision-making
- Build constructive stakeholder relationships while navigating complex and sensitive issues and exercising statutory powers responsibly
For a confidential discussion about this vacancy please contact:
Luke Herron, Manager Compliance Investigation on luke.herron@dpird.nsw.gov.au or 0438 962 594
Click here to view the full 
Role Description-Veterinary-Compliance-Officer.pdf
👉 Applying is easy!
Please apply via our online portal. Submit your current Resume/CV and a Cover Letter (max. 2 pages) outlining your relevant skills and experience, and why you’re our ideal candidate.
📅 Applications Close: Sunday, 22 February 2026, at 11:55pm
If you require adjustments in completing your application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, require information in an alternative format, or otherwise participating in the recruitment process, please let us know so we can assist. Send an email to talent.advisory@dpird.nsw.gov.au or contact the hiring manager listed above for a confidential discussion.
What to Expect Next
After applying:
- You’ll receive a confirmation email
- We’ll review all applications once the ad closes
- If shortlisted, you may be invited to interview (in person or Microsoft Teams video)
- Further assessments will follow (e.g. writing task, skills test, psychometric test)
- Reference checks will be completed for final candidates
- The preferred candidate for this role may be required to undergo reference checks, a national police check, bankruptcy check, health assessment and/or other assessments as required.
- A talent pool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same type that may arise within the next 18 months.
Further Information
The salary offered to the successful candidate will be commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience, as outlined in the Crown Employees (Department of Regional NSW) Professional Officers Award and the Professional Officer Progression Criteria (1-4).
About us – together, we are DPIRD
The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) protects, supports and develops primary industries and regional economies.
Collectively we support strong and sustainable agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries, and regional economies. We actively manage our natural assets: our lands and soils, minerals, waterways and oceans, vegetation and forests.
The department brings together:
- Agriculture and Biosecurity
- Regional Development and Delivery.
We have skilled and dedicated teams working in 200 locations across regional NSW. With nearly 5,000 employees, and 75 per cent of the DPIRD team living and working in regional NSW, we are embedded in the regions we serve.
Learn more about the benefits of joining our diverse and talented DPIRD team.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At DPIRD, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds – including, but not limited to, gender, age, ethnicity, cultural heritage, disability, religion and sexual orientation.
DPIRD is a proud Disability Confident Recruiter, Family Inclusive Employer and Carer Friendly Employer
