Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the resignation of APVMA chief executive Kareena Arthy had left big shoes to fill.

“It will be a very powerful position because the culture of that person is going to be so central in how the APVMA works,” Mr Joyce said.

Legislative changes will be made to improve the running of the authority.

“We want to create for our nation a better outcome, a more resilient APVMA, an APVMA that’s strongly connected to its constituent groups, the people who use it and also to engender a sense of growth in new areas around the nation at the same time,” Mr Joyce said.

One in five regulatory scientists have quit and Mr Joyce said he would be looking to the New England for candidates.

“That’s what the human condition wants – there’s a challenge, you rise to it and you make it work,” he said.

To date there have been 40 job applications.