The Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) was established on 1 January 2026 to strengthen national preparedness, prevention and response to public health threats. We are now seeking an outstanding Chief Medical Adviser to provide authoritative clinical and scientific leadership at the heart of this mission.
The opportunity
Reporting directly to the Director-General, the Chief Medical Adviser is a pivotal member of the CDC’s senior leadership team. You will provide high-level clinical, scientific and strategic advice to government, shape national responses to emerging and complex public health risks, and help build the CDC’s long-term capability as an independent, trusted technical authority.
This is a highly visible role operating at the intersection of medicine, policy and public trust. The successful candidate will bring sound judgement, confidence with restraint, and the ability to lead through influence rather than profile.
Why join the CDC?
* Make a lasting contribution to Australia’s health security.
* Work alongside nationally and internationally respected experts.
* Join a values-driven, inclusive organisation with flexible work arrangements.
* Influence decisions that matter at the highest levels of government.
The key duties of the position include:
* Provide authoritative, evidence-based medical and scientific advice on national and international public health issues.
* Act as a senior adviser to the Director-General and government on emerging, high-risk and contested health matters.
* Lead and strengthen the CDC’s in-house clinical and technical advisory capability.
* Build and maintain strong relationships across jurisdictions, government, academia and international partners.
* Represent the CDC externally where appropriate, including in media and public forums, exercising discernment and restraint.
* Promote public trust through transparent, rigorous and independent medical advice.
* Provide professional leadership to medical officers within the CDC.
About you
You will be a highly respected medical leader with:
* Full and unconditional registration as a medical practitioner (AHPRA), with a recognised specialist qualification.
* At least 15 years’ experience within the Australian health system, ideally spanning clinical practice, public health and policy.
* Strong understanding of government, ministerial and inter-jurisdictional environments.
* The ability to operate calmly and effectively under uncertainty, scrutiny and pressure.
* Exceptional communication skills, with the judgement to know when, and when not, to be publicly visible.
* Professional authority, humility, resilience and a collaborative leadership style.
Eligibility
To be eligible for employment with the Australian CDC, applicants must be an Australian citizen at the time an offer of employment is made.
An applicant’s suitability for employment with the CDC will also be assessed through a variety of pre-employment check processes, such as:
* Satisfactory completion of a criminal history check, and where relevant, a Working with Children and Vulnerable People Check,
* Completion of a medical declaration and pre-employment medical (where required),
* Providing evidence of qualifications (where required), and
* Obtaining and maintaining a security clearance at the required level.
For this role, the following is required:
* full and unconditional registration as a medical practitioner (AHPRA), with a recognised specialist qualification
* at least 15 years’ experience within the Australian health system
* the ability to obtain and maintain Negative Vetting 2 security clearance.
Notes
* Applications close Sunday 10 May 2026 11:30pm AEST.
* For a confidential discussion please call Alison Myatt of Watermark Search International, who are leading the search on behalf of the Australian CDC.
* To obtain a copy of the Candidate Brief for this role, please visit: /position-descriptions
* Please send your application quoting Ref No A006283 to Watermark Search International via this form. We will reply to the email address used for your application.
Getting to know the Australian Centre for Disease Control
The independent Australian Centre for Disease Control (Australian CDC) is at the frontline of improving Australia’s ability to prepare for, and respond to, public health challenges, including pandemics. The Australian CDC is an independent technical advisory agency on public health matters and a leader in disease control, preparedness, response, and prevention. The Australian CDC collaborates with national and international health bodies to strengthen Australia’s public health infrastructure.