APVMA Board

Our governance

We are a corporate Commonwealth entity established and governed by the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992. As a statutory agency of the Australian Government, we are accountable to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Our governance is also regulated by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the Public Service Act 1999.

We are committed to meeting high standards of governance which we consider essential to our long-term performance and sustainability as Australia's agvet chemical regulator. Our governance practices are regularly reviewed to ensure they align to Australian legislative and regulatory requirements and contemporary better practice.

Our Board

Our Board, as our governing body, is responsible for deciding the objectives, strategies and policies we follow, and ensuring that we perform our functions in a proper, efficient and effective manner. Our Board members (other than our Chief Executive Officer) are appointed by our Minister.

Our Board is the Accountable Authority for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. In addition to its legislative framework, our Board operates in accordance with the Board Charter. The work of our Board is also assisted by our Audit and Risk Committee.

The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992 excludes our Board from exercising the regulatory functions and powers of the APVMA, conferred by various pieces of agvet legislation. These functions and powers are exercised by our Chief Executive Officer (or their delegate).

Our Board members

Note: All Board members, with the exception of the CEO, are appointed on a part-time basis.

Dr Catherine Ainsworth, Chair

BVSc(Hons), MVSc, MBA, GAICD

Dr Catherine Ainsworth was appointed Chair of the APVMA in July 2024. Dr Ainsworth has extensive experience in public sector governance and the management of agricultural research for livestock, grains, and horticulture industries. Dr Ainsworth is currently a director of Harness Racing Victoria, Racing Analytical Services Ltd and the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. She is also a member of the Victorian Animal Welfare Advisory Council, the Biosecurity Reference Group, and the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) Animal Health Accreditation Advisory Council. Her past board appointments include the Australian Meat Processor Corporation, the Australian Horse Industry Council, and Pulse Breeding Australia.

Mr Scott Hansen, Chief Executive Officer

BRurSc, GradCertCom, GAICD

Mr Scott Hansen was appointed Chief Executive Officer in July 2024. He is an experienced executive in the primary industries sector, bringing over 30 years of leadership across various industry and government roles. He served as Director General of the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries from 2014 to 2024, and previously held positions as General Manager, Regional Manager, and Managing Director at Meat and Livestock Australia from 2004 to 2014. Mr Hansen has a Rural Science degree from the University of New England in Armidale and holds postgraduate qualifications in commerce from the University of Southern Queensland. He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and completed the Advanced Management Programme at Oxford University.

Ms Rebecca Billings

BCom, BA, GAICD

Ms Rebecca Billings was appointed to the APVMA Board in March 2025. Ms Billings is an experienced organisational leader with deep economic, regulatory and public policy expertise. She is a Commissioner of the Essential Services Commission of Victoria and the Essential Services Commission of South Australia. As a commissioner, she has responsibility for making regulatory decisions in the long-term interests of consumers across the energy, water, transport and local government sectors and for providing strategic leadership and corporate governance. She is also the Chair of the National Regulators Community of Practice with the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG). She has over 25 years’ experience providing economic, policy and operational advice to government across a range of regulatory systems, both as a public servant and a consultant. She is passionate about working with organisations to help them maximise their public value and, in particular, working with regulatory agencies to ensure the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of their functions. She holds bachelor’s degrees in commerce and arts from Monash University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Andreas Clark

LLB(Hons), LLM, GradDipAFI, GAICD

Mr Andreas Clark was appointed to the APVMA Board in March 2025. Mr Clark holds a range of non-executive director roles covering a broad range of sectors including agriculture, medical services, education and infrastructure. Amongst his non-executive directorships, he is currently the chair of Australian Wool Exchange Ltd. He is also currently working as a Senior Adviser (Wine) with KPMG. Prior to commencing his director career, he built a successful executive career, concluding with an eight-year term as the Chief Executive Officer of Wine Australia. He is also admitted to legal practice in South Australia. He holds a Master of Laws from the Australian National University and Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) from Flinders University. He has also completed a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia and the Authentic Leadership Program at Harvard University. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Steve Jefferies AM

BAgSc PhD DSc FTSE

Dr Steve Jefferies was appointed to the APVMA Board in March 2022. He served as Acting Board Chair between July 2023 and July 2024. He is Principal of Jefferies Ag Solutions Pty Ltd, which provides specialised consultancy services to agribusiness in strategy, risk management and business growth. He was formerly the Managing Director of the Grains Research and Development Corporation and prior to that Chief Executive Officer of Australian Grain Technologies Pty Ltd. Dr Jefferies is currently Chairman of Rice Breeding Australia Ltd and was previously a non-executive Director of Grain Producers South Australia, Barley Australia and Birchip Cropping Group.