About the National Environmental Protection Agency
The National Environmental Protection Agency (National EPA) is an independent statutory body established under the National Environmental Protection Agency Act 2025 (National EPA Act). Commencing on 1 July 2026, it will be Australia’s national environmental regulator.
About the role
This is a foundational leadership appointment shaping Australia’s national environmental regulatory architecture at a time of significant reform.
As Chief Executive Officer, you will lead the establishment and operation of a new national regulator responsible for compliance, enforcement and decision-making under Australia’s environmental legislation, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, as amended in 2025.
As accountable authority, you will exercise statutory independence in relation to powers vested in your office and act under direction when performing functions delegated by the Minister for the Environment.
The role requires a constructive, solution-oriented regulatory approach that supports regulatory certainty for proponents while safeguarding Australia’s nationally and internationally significant environmental assets.
If you are committed to delivering accountable, efficient, outcomes focused and transparent environmental regulatory decision making, we invite you to apply for this role. Remuneration for this role has been set by the Remuneration Tribunal at a total remuneration of $550,000.
The key duties of the position include:
The successful candidate
You must have knowledge of, or experience in, public sector administration or governance, and regulation.
You must also have knowledge of, or experience in one or more of the following:
* Conservation of biodiversity
* Ecologically sustainable development
* Heritage
* Indigenous affairs
* Law
* Law enforcement
* Natural resource management
Selection criteria
Core criteria
* The successful candidate must meet the statutory criteria under section 45 of the National EPA Act (refer to ‘The successful candidate’ above).
* The successful candidate must meet the eligibility requirements noted below.
* Applicants must not have any interests, pecuniary or otherwise, that conflict or could conflict with the proper performance of the CEO’s functions.
Skills and experience
The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional skills, experience and capabilities across the following areas:
* Best practice regulation: proven experience and/or capability in leading a high-quality regulator and delivery of regulatory excellence, particularly in an environment-related field.
* Stakeholder engagement: excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, negotiate, influence, and build trust and confidence among diverse stakeholders.
* Collaboration with states and territory regulators and agencies: demonstrated ability to collaborate with state and territory environment protection agencies and government departments to coordinate regulatory activities, enhance national environmental regulatory maturity, and share data and information.
* Drive positive organisational culture, transparency and integrity: ability to drive a positive organisational culture within the National EPA with a track record of promoting integrity and ethical behaviour to ensure public trust and confidence in environmental regulation and management.
* Education and community awareness: experience relevant to overseeing the development and implementation of educational programs and initiatives to support the regulated community and to promote compliance with environmental laws, regulations and obligations. Demonstrated ability to facilitate community engagement, support and participation in environmental management and regulation activities.
* Evidence-based decision-making: proven background that will ensure all decisions and policies formulated by the National EPA are based on robust scientific data, evidence, and information.
* Operational policy development, advice, and implementation: ability to build expertise and knowledge on the operational and technical aspects of Commonwealth environmental legislation and develop and implement operational policies and strategies to support the National EPA to carry out its regulatory functions and responsibilities.
* Media relations and communication: demonstrated experience which will ensure effective communication of the National EPA’s initiatives, achievements, and challenges to enhance public understanding and support of the National EPA’s role in the regulation and management of Australia’s environment.
Eligibility
Outside employment - to be eligible for appointment (under the National EPA Act), the successful candidate must not engage in paid employment outside the duties of his or her office without the Minister’s approval.
Citizenship - to be eligible for employment in this position, the successful candidate must be an Australian citizen (with limited exceptions).
Security clearance - this position requires a Negative Vetting Level 2 security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
Pre-employment checks - suitability for employment may be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process may include health, character and security checks.
Notes
Applications will be managed by Amanda O'Rourke Executive Search. Before applying, please obtain a Candidate Information pack by emailing *****@amandaorourke.com.au quoting Ref. No. 1189 in the subject heading.