She is a former Chief Veterinary Officer of New South Wales and Executive Director within the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
She then completed a Diploma in Bacteriology, Microbiology and Immunology through the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Scott-Orr had a major role in the control and management of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis.
She has undertaken a strategic investigation into White spot syndrome incursion into Australia.
[5][6] In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for "significant service to public administration, to biosecurity, and to veterinary science".