The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1923 commenced 1 January 1924.  This legislation was key to formally recognising the veterinary profession in NSW. 

The first meeting of the Board of Veterinary Surgeons was held Monday 4 February 1924. 

Whilst there was recognition of a specialised area of knowledge in veterinary science, dating back to 1761 in France, until 1924 anyone in NSW could claim to be a veterinarian – with or without that specialised knowledge or formal education. 

The passing of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1923 (Act) revealed that the parliament, and the public, formally recognised that to be a veterinarian (veterinary surgeon) a person must have completed a well-recognised, formal, science-based, structured program of higher education in an area of specialised knowledge. 

Parliament accepted that veterinarians (appropriately defined and registered) would fulfil an obligation to act beyond self interest and in the interests of the public and animals, and accordingly, on behalf of the public, granted veterinarians the privilege of self-regulation. Veterinarians in return agreed to abide by a formal, legislated (administrative) code of professional conduct. 

Hence, by 1924 the requirements for a veterinary profession in NSW were formally established.