Creed returned to Australia and was appointed resident physician at the Sydney Infirmary.

In April 1868 Creed was registered by the New South Wales Medical Board, and he established a practice at Scone and served as a magistrate.

Creed represented Upper Hunter in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1872 to 1874.

He was secretary of the New South Wales branch of the British Medical Association from 1883 to 1886 and its president in 1887 and 1892.

He had a significant role in passing legislation to license medical practitioners, to protect children, to validate marriage and to deal with inebriates.