The interim Australian Centre for Disease Control introduced two bills which are effective from 1 January 2026.
What are the bills?
1. Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025 – establishes the CDC as an independent agency.
2. Consequential and Transitional Provisions Bill 2025 – amends related legislation (e.g., Biosecurity Act 2015, National Health Security Act 2007, FOI Act 1982).
What is the purpose of the ACDC?
To establish the Australian CDC as an independent, transparent, and trusted public health agency, informed by lessons from COVID-19 and expert consultation.
The goals are to:
- Strengthens Australia’s public health infrastructure
- Enhances coordination and preparedness for health threats
- Promotes transparency and community engagement in health policy
What does this mean?
The structure will be formalised with a Director General and the ACDC Advisory Council. The roles of the ACDC will include enhanced data use for disease preparedness and response and will focus on tracking health trends and improving outbreak response.
The roles of the ACDC Director General include the following:
- Advise government on public health matters
- Collaborate with domestic and international health bodies
- Collect, analyse, and share public health data
- Develop and promote public health guidelines
- Publish reports and educational materials
- Exercise functions under relevant health legislation
The ACDC Advisory Council will comprise 6-10 experts, with at least one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Experts will include public health, clinical practice, human rights, data, communications, economics, and emergency management and will provide expert advice to the Director-General. The Advisory Council do not have decision-making authority.
Go to Australian CDC for more information.