Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce did the official honours in Armidale on Thursday afternoon.

Outgoing APVMA boss Kareena Arthy, who announced her resignation last week, looked on as Mr Joyce removed a piece of A3 paper from a sign to officially open the office.

Mr Joyce said her successor, yet to be appointed, would have the chance to reform the agency's structure, governing legislation and technology.

“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.

Dozens of AVPMA staff have quit, while about 40 job applications have so far been lodged in Armidale.

The numbers show one in five regulatory scientists have resigned 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,” Mr Joyce said.

ACT Labor senator Katy Gallagher called the APVMA move "nothing but shameless pork barrelling"

"The organisation is now leaderless, losing experienced staff and is one that openly admits it won't be able to do its important job properly," she said.