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

Get ready for winter respiratory illnesses

As winter gets closer severe respiratory illnesses are more likely – especially for high-risk groups. We should aways do what we can to prevent illness. But with unusually high levels of flu in late 2025, taking simple steps to protect yourself early will be especially important this winter.

Travelling? Add measles vaccination to your holiday checklist

A new report confirms that almost all cases of measles in Australia are either acquired overseas or related to an overseas acquired case – especially around school holidays. Don’t bring measles home from holidays – add vaccination to your travel plan.

New national strategies set path to eliminate hepatitis B and C

Australia has taken a significant step in its commitment to ending hepatitis B and C as public health challenges, with the launch of the Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2025–2030 and the Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy 2025–2030.

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. 

Winter patterns of respiratory virus epidemics

Read ‘Temporal analysis of respiratory virus epidemics in Victoria over winter 2024’ by Oliver Eales et al.

Restaurant campylobacteriosis outbreak

Read ‘Restaurant-associated campylobacteriosis outbreak likely linked to duck liver pâté’ by Emily Gibson et al.

Tuberculosis outbreak in regional Queensland

Read ‘Identifying missing links – an ongoing outbreak of a novel tuberculosis strain in regional Queensland’ by Bridget A O’Connor et al.

Last updated: