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Our role and priorities
We protect people in Australia from health threats, by strengthening prevention, preparedness and trusted public health advice.
Legislation and transparency
We publish our advice for full transparency and accountability. This is embedded in the legislation, to ensure everyone can see the advice informing public health decisions.
Our people
Our Director-General provides national leadership in assessing public health risk, with the support of an Expert Advisory Council, a strong leadership team and about 250 staff.
News
News
Hantavirus risk to Australia remains low
The risk of hantavirus to the Australian and global population remains low. There are no reports of hantavirus infection in humans in Australia.
Hantavirus infection reported on cruise ship in Atlantic
We are monitoring the hantavirus infection outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic. Hantavirus has never been reported in humans in Australia, but Australians travelling to areas where hantavirus is common should take steps to protect themselves.
Surveillance that works – finding poliovirus before it finds us
Poliovirus has been detected in a wastewater sample in Perth, Western Australia. Although the risk to the community remains very low, it’s a timely reminder to check you’re up to date with vaccination.
Communicable Diseases Intelligence (CDI)
About CDI
CDI is a peer-reviewed scientific journal with leading academic content focused on public health. Read more about CDI and access the latest articles.
COVID-19 booster effectiveness during Omicron wave
Read ‘Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses in adults aged 50 years and over during the Omicron period in Victoria, Australia’ by Joshua Szanyi et al.
Staphylococcus aureus in Timor‑Leste
Read ‘Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus infections in Timor-Leste, January–July 2020’ by Virginia de L da Conceição et al.
Ratting out leptospirosis
Read ‘Ratting out leptospirosis: investigation of a revealing urban case associated with socioeconomic disadvantage in Sydney, Australia’ by Kate Lennard et al.