Australia to establish independent Centre for Disease Control

The new body will consolidate national evidence to address health threats.

The Australian Government has passed legislation to establish an independent Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

The new body will consolidate national evidence to address health threats, including infectious diseases and environmental or climate-related risks. It will also provide evidence-based advice to the public and governments.

Under the legislation, the CDC’s Director-General will have statutory independence to develop and provide public health advice.

The legislation gives the Director-General of the Australian CDC statutory independence to develop and provide public health advice based on the best available evidence.

The law also requires that all advice be published to ensure transparency and accountability in public health decision-making.

Preparations are now underway to transition the work of the interim CDC to the statutory agency, including the recruitment of an inaugural Director-General and the establishment of foundational governance arrangements.