Inaugural Director General
Australian Centre for Disease Control
The Australian Government has introduced legislation to Parliament to establish a statutory Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). In readiness for the commencement of the agency on 1 January 2026 the Government is seeking to appoint the CDCs inaugural Director General.
The CDC will be a gamechanger, ensuring Australia is better prepared for the next pandemic and the many other health challenges we will face in the intervening years.
The CDC will provide a national lens on public health risks, bringing together evidence and expertise to complement and support state and territory responsibilities. Headquartered in Canberra, the agency will be Australia’s chief source of independent, national expert public health advice, including on how best to respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
As a leader in disease control, preparedness, response, and prevention, the CDC will collaborate with relevant jurisdictional, national and international entities to strengthen Australia’s public health infrastructure and insights. It will work with states and territories to develop real-time data capabilities, using the strongest evidence base to develop advice to ministers and agencies, and inform decision making.
The Opportunity
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is seeking applications from high calibre candidates to lead the CDC. You will be exceptionally well credentialed in driving improvements in public health have a proven record in leading an organisation through transformational change and public communications.
You will be a forward-thinking, innovative leader with a highly collaborative approach. You will inspire trust and confidence across a wide array of stakeholders, from government officials to the public, while maintaining a rigorous scientific foundation for advice and decisions.
As the key advisor on matters related to public health threats, disease prevention and controls in Australia, you will be the public face of the CDC. You will be the CDC’s key representative at public forums, parliamentary hearings, and international conferences. You will be a talented communicator, able to explain complex science-based information to diverse audiences, including the public through conventional and social media.
Maintaining relationships with public health research institutions and communicable and non-communicable disease professional groups, you will play a key role in ensuring the CDC is at the forefront of data analytics for disease surveillance and public health reporting. Strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders who provide data and other inputs will be critical to enabling evidence-based decision making.
An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate.
Qualifications
An advanced degree in Public Health, Epidemiology or a related field is mandatory.
Applications Close: Monday 29 September 2025
For further information please contact:
Watermark at search@watermarksearch.com.au or call 02 9233 1200