Position description
Job reference: VN
Position title: Chief Finance Officer
Classification: Executive Level Two (EL2)
Position location: Canberra, ACT
Salary: $141,473 - $167,498 p.a.
Position/s: One
Employment status: Ongoing | Full time (37.5 hours) or Part time
Security level: Baseline
Agency: National Health Funding Body
Section: Finance:
Contact officer: Shannon White | Phone: | Email:
Closing date: 23 February 2026
About the National Health Funding Body
The Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool (the Administrator) and the National Health Funding Body (NHFB) were established through the Council of Australian Government's National Health Reform Agreement (NHR Agreement) of August 2011.
The primary functions of the NHFB are to assist the Administrator in:
calculating and advising the Commonwealth Treasurer of the Commonwealth's contribution to public hospital funding in each State and Territory ($30 billion in
reconciling estimated and actual public hospital services, and adjusting Commonwealth payments (over 46 million activities in
undertaking funding integrity analysis to identify public hospital services that potentially received funding through other Commonwealth programs
monitoring payments of Commonwealth, State and Territory public hospital funding into the National Health Funding Pool (the Pool)
making payments from the Pool to each LHN
reporting publicly on funding, payments and services
developing and providing three-year data plans to the Commonwealth, States and Territories
supporting additional funding streams to be transacted through the Pool.
About the position
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and as member of the Executive Leadership Group, the Chief Finance Officer plays a pivotal role in enabling the National Health Funding Body to achieve its strategic objective and to deliver on its purpose of improving the transparency of public hospital funding in Australia.
The Chief Finance Officer is responsible for the financial leadership and stewardship of the National Health Funding Body and the financial administration of the National Health Funding Pool. The Chief Finance Officer ensures the integrity and accuracy of payments and reporting associated with public hospital funding in Australia and builds trust with stakeholders.
The Chief Finance Officer embeds robust risk management, assurance and governance practices across the financial function, consistent with NHFB's Risk Tolerance Statement.
The Chief Finance Officer also contributes to corporate governance, strategic planning and organisational performance to ensure the NHFB operates as a high performing agency, promoting the NHFB's values and behaviours ("One NHFB", "Enhance trust", "Open Communication", "Own it") along side the APS values.
About the role
The National Health Funding Body is seeking people with diverse experience who are willing to explore innovative ways of working. People who work at the NHFB will display leadership at all levels and work collaboratively to achieve outcomes.
Under limited direction, you will lead the finance team to:
maintain the integrity of the National Health Funding Pool Payments System in accordance with the National Health Reform Act 2011, National Health Reform Agreement and Addendum to the National Health Reform Agreement
ensure the timely and accurate payments from the Pool to Local Hospital Networks in each State and Territory
perform all financial functions of the NHFB and the National Health Funding Pool, including end-of-month processing and preparation of monthly and annual financial statements
prepare and publish monthly funding and payment activity of the National Health Funding Pool including the annual Maintenance of Effort
engage with the Australian National Audit Office and the State and Territory Auditors-General supporting the audit of annual financial statements for the National Health Funding Body and the State and Territory Pool Accounts
manage funding policies, including compliance reporting
perform trend analysis of public hospital funding and hospital services data to support strategic advice and decision making.
The Chief Finance Officer will:
build and maintain productive relationships with key stakeholders and industry partners, including the Commonwealth, State and Territory Health Departments and other portfolio agencies
provide expert financial advice and support the Chief Executive Officer, the Administrator of the National Health Funding Pool and other senior leaders to support strategic decision making
represent the NHFB in bilateral and multilateral forums with the Commonwealth and the State and Territories concerning operational and funding matters.
Selection criteria
The NHFB will consider applications based on the Australian Public Service (APS) Integrated Leadership System, your ability to perform the duties of the position at the level required, and your potential contribution to the Executive Leadership Team.
The successful candidate will have a sound understanding of contemporary public sector financial practices and requirements, including an understanding of Commonwealth frameworks, rules, and legislation.
Essential requirements
Tertiary qualifications in Finance, Accounting or Business, and relevant experience in the APS and/or finance industry (essential)
CA or CPA qualified (highly desirable)
An understanding of the SAP and TechnologyOne finance systems (highly desirable)
Why NHFB?
The National Health Funding Body is a workplace committed to providing an environment that values diversity and supports staff to reach their full potential.
The NHFB values health and wellbeing of employees and offers a range of benefits to support staff including:
Flexible work arrangements
Fostering a positive workplace culture and encouraging work-life balance
Providing a supportive and inclusive work environment.
In the 2025 Australian Public Service Employee Census, the NHFB ranked in the top 10 from 104 APS agencies for 'Wellbeing Policies and Support', 'SES Leadership' and 'Innovation'.
Additional information
The successful applicant must be an Australian Citizen capable of obtaining and maintaining a security clearance. A loss of security clearance may result in termination of employment.
It is an expectation that all NHFB employees will perform their jobs professionally, respectfully and in accordance with the principles and practices of workplace diversity, workplace participation and in support of a safe working environment.
Given the agency's small size, you will need to be flexible, contributing to other functions of the agency and projects as needed.
How to apply
Please supply a one-page pitch, outlining your skills and experience relevant to the role on offer and selection criteria.
To apply, send your pitch, your current CV (no more than three pages), and a completed Candidate Application Form to by the closing date.
For further information, please contact the Chief Executive Officer, Shannon White,
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