About the interim Australian CDC
The interim Australian CDC started on 1 January 2024 as the first step in the Australian Government’s phased approach to establishing an independent Australian CDC.
We are improving the way Australia prepares for, and will respond to, health emergencies in the future, including disease outbreaks and pandemics.
We will continue to operate as part of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing until the launch of the independent Australian CDC.
The new agency will launch on 1 January 2026.
Read more about what we do.
About the new, independent Australian CDC
The Australian CDC will bring together information, data and advice from across the country to provide a national picture. This will include data from a range of sources.
This will help us to provide better-informed public health advice.
The CDC will operate independent of government and publish its advice for all to see.
Each year, we will report on:
- how prepared Australia is for the next pandemic
- the health impacts of climate change.
Health equity and inclusion will also play a greater role.
We will work with a range of organisations to ensure our advice is informed, inclusive and connected across sectors.
Why it is important
The risk of public health emergencies is increasing. Australia has seen this in recent disease outbreaks and more frequent natural disasters, including the:
- COVID-19 pandemic
- Japanese encephalitis virus outbreak
- bird flu outbreaks overseas
- emergence of mpox
- natural disasters, including Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the 2019–20 bushfires.
The reasons for the increased risk include:
- human population growth
- increased international travel
- changes in the environment leading to health issues, including more diseases that spread from animals to people (zoonoses)
- increasing vulnerability driven by climate change.
A CDC will help Australia prepare for these increased risks.
Legislation
The legislation to establish the Australian CDC as an independent agency on 1 January 2026 passed both Houses of Parliament on 6 November 2025.
The legislation defines the Australian CDC’s:
- scope
- functions
- authority
- governance.
It will ensure we establish a trusted, independent and expert Australian CDC that safeguards the health of Australians.
Read more about the legislation.