Dr Kelly is a 1978 graduate and past Principal of the Sydney College of Chiropractic.

He lectured for 25 years in the subjects of Neurology, Chiropractic Philosophy and Practice Management and he has been in continuous private practice for over 40 years.

He was Student of the Year of his graduating class in 1978; the 1985 Chiropractor of the Year from his Alumni; the recipient of the Chiropractors Association of Australia Chiropractic Excellence Award in 1998 and the Chiropractic Education Australia speaker of the year in 2000. He was awarded the CAA (NSW) Chiropractor of the Year in October 2005.

Since 1986 he has been a consultant on over 380 medico-legal matters and has lectured extensively throughout Australia and New Zealand. In 2006 he became an inaugural Fellow of the Australasian College of Chiropractors and a recipient of the Knox Medallion from the Sydney College of Chiropractic.

In March 2015 he received the CAANSW, Professional Services Award and in 2020 was awarded Life Membership of the ACA.