Beth Cookson was appointed as the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer and Delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health in December 2023. Beth graduated from the University of Queensland in 2004 and has more than 15 years’ experience in biosecurity policy and operations at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; as well as a stint leading frontline community engagement and recovery support functions at the National Recovery and Resilience Agency (now part of the National Emergency Management Agency).

Her veterinary career includes work spanning across the design and delivery of animal health surveillance programs in northern Australia, biosecurity capacity building programs in near neighbouring countries, biosecurity import risk analysis and international trade negotiation.

Beth became a member of the Epidemiology chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) in 2013, and was awarded an Executive Master of Public Administration degree through the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) in 2022.

Beth is based in Cairns and maintains a focus on northern Australia, including working with industry and strengthening partnerships with our near neighbours as an important part of her role as ACVO.