Assistant Director Veterinary Medicines (EL1) - APVMA

Applications close on Sunday, 16th August 2026 at midnight.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) regulates agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals to protect human, animal and environmental health while supporting Australian agriculture and trade.

Within the APVMA, the Veterinary Medicines Branch evaluates and regulates veterinary medicines to ensure they are safe, effective and of high quality for use in Australia. Through scientific risk assessment and evidence-based decision-making, the branch assesses new products and variations, manages risks throughout the product lifecycle, and helps protect animal health, public health, the environment and agricultural trade. In addition, the branch conducts separate technical and risk evaluations to administer short-term permits for veterinary chemicals and medicines that meet specific market needs.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Director Veterinary Medicines, the Assistant Director plays a key leadership role within Veterinary Medicines Team 2, which is responsible for veterinary immunobiologicals and permit applications.

Leading a small team of Risk Managers, you will apply scientific knowledge, sound judgement and risk-based decision-making to evaluate applications for the registration, variation and permitting of veterinary medicines under the National Registration Scheme. Working within established legislative and policy frameworks, you will provide technical leadership across a diverse veterinary medicines portfolio, mentor and develop team capability, and engage with internal and external stakeholders to support robust, evidence-based regulatory decisions that protect animal health, public health and Australian agriculture.

Based in Armidale NSW or Canberra ACT,



this ongoing full-time role offers flexible work arrangements. For the right candidate, interstate and remote working arrangements will also be considered.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo an assessment by AGSVA to obtain Baseline security clearance and to maintain the required level of clearance while in this role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The key functions and responsibilities of this position will include:

Support the Veterinary Medicines Directors and provide leadership in mentoring staff and developing the capabilities of the veterinary medicines risk management team to meet its program objectives

Managing workloads and assessment timeframes, including managing the allocation of applications, project work and completion of tasks within legislated timeframes

Analysing and evaluating scientific and/or technical information and applying risk assessment and risk management principles to assess/approve applications for registration, variations and permits of veterinary chemical products.

Considering scientific advice, the legislative framework and agency guidelines to make recommendations to the decision maker on registration or permits of veterinary medicines or act in the capacity of the decision maker.

Preparing high quality written communications incorporating scientific, regulatory and technical considerations into briefs to decision makers, ministerial correspondence and other corporate documents.





Building and sustaining positive and collaborative relationships with team members of the veterinary medicines branch and colleagues across the APVMA, registrants and other stakeholders involved in the veterinary sector.

Ensuring regulatory issues that arise during pre- and post-registration are resolved in an appropriate and timely manner after appropriate consultation within the APVMA and communication to registrants and stakeholders.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Demonstrated work experience and tertiary qualifications in veterinary medicine, biological sciences e.g. zoology, immunology, biochemistry, pharmacology, or animal science/nutrition.

Knowledge of the regulatory and legislative setting within a government authority and familiarity with international best practices in veterinary medicines risk assessment.

Highly developed interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication, with the ability to negotiate, liaise, and communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate and provide pragmatic advice on complex scientific information within a regulatory setting.

Demonstrated experience in leading high-performing teams within fast-paced and complex operational environments, with a proven track record of mentoring staff, developing technical capability, and managing diverse stakeholder relationships.

Strong time management skills, including the ability to deal with periods of peak demand, legislative, and organisational timeframes.

Knowledge of the regulatory and legislative environment of the APVMA and familiarity with international best practices related to preparing risk assessments for veterinary chemicals.

Demonstrated work experience in research and development, manufacture and/or regulation of (veterinary) immunobiologicals.

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📌 Assistant Director Veterinary Medicines– APVMA (Canberra)
🏢 CS Executive Group
📍 Canberra