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, subject to legislation passing.
Read more about what we do.
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
On 3 September 2025, the Australian Government introduced into Parliament the draft legislation to establish the Australian CDC as an independent agency on 1 January 2026.
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.