In 1888 the first Veterinary Board of Victoria was established under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1887. Although some amendments were made over the intervening years, large-scale change did not come until 110 years later with the introduction of the Veterinary Practice Act 1997 (the Act).

The main purposes of the Act are to protect the public by providing for the registration of veterinary practitioners and investigations into the professional conduct and fitness to practise of registered veterinary practitioners, and to establish the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria (the Board) and the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board Fund.

The Board consists of nine members nominated by the Minister and appointed by the Governor-in-Council for a three year period. Four Members are registered veterinary practitioners, one is a registered veterinary practitioner employed by the University of Melbourne, one is a registered veterinary practitioner employed by the Crown, one is a lawyer and two are persons who are not veterinary practitioners. [See Members of the Board].

Apart from the main purposes noted above the Board has the following functions and powers:
- recognise qualifications and accredit courses of training;
- conduct of examinations to establish competency; and
- issue guidelines about appropriate standards of veterinary practice and veterinary facilities.

The Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria is a statutory authority created through the passing of the Veterinary Practice Act 1997.

The legislative functions of the Board are to:
- register veterinary practitioners;
- investigate complaints against registered veterinary
practitioners;
- subject registered veterinary practitioners to disciplinary procedures when appropriate;
- issue guidelines; and
- advise the Minister on any matters relating to the Board's functions.

The mission of the Board is to protect the public by ensuring access to veterinary services of an appropriate standard, delivered by veterinary practitioners acting in accordance with appropriate standards of professional conduct through the effective and efficient administration of the Veterinary Practice Act 1997.