About the legislation
The legislation:
- defines the CDC’s scope, functions, authority and governance
- incorporates lessons from COVID-19 and other health events
- aligns with the findings of the independent COVID-19 Response Inquiry
- was informed by extensive consultation with experts, governments and communities.
This legislation is a major step towards establishing a trusted, independent and transparent CDC that will safeguard Australia’s health.
The legislation package is made up of 2 Acts:
- Australian Centre for Disease Control Act 2025 – the main legislation to establish the new CDC
- Australian Centre for Disease Control (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2025 – the consequential amendments and transitional provisions required to the
Key elements of the legislation
Functions of the Director-General
The legislation outlines the public health functions of the CDC’s Director-General.
These include:
- advising Australian Government ministers on public health matters
- advising, and consulting with, Australian Government bodies, state and territory bodies, international bodies and peak bodies
- collecting, analysing and sharing information and data related to public health
- developing, publishing and promoting guidelines, statements and standards
- conducting, supporting and promoting community awareness activities and educational campaigns
- publishing reports, information and papers
- promoting research in public health matters and public health workforce expertise
- functions under the
Use and sharing of data
One of the main priorities of the independent CDC will be to use enhanced data to strengthen the evidence base for its advice on preparing for, and responding to:
- communicable disease threats
- environmental issues that impact health
- other health challenges facing the nation.
Enhancing how we use and share data across the country will help the CDC work with others to:
- increase our understanding of diseases and the impact of control measures
- better prepare for national health emergencies
- respond more quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks
- track health outcomes and trends over time
- plan for service delivery.
This proposed use, sharing and disclosure of data is tightly controlled in the draft legislation, and consistent with the Privacy Act 1988, to ensure the privacy of individuals is protected.
Commitment to transparency
The legislation includes mandatory requirements for the CDC to be transparent in its operations and advice.
This will:
- ensure the CDC can build and maintain public and sector trust as an authoritative public health agency
- align with the independent COVID-19 Response Inquiry findings for transparency about the advice that informs decision-makers in a public health emergency.
By default, the Director-General will have to publish their advice and associated evidence.
Limited exemptions will exist – for example, for national security reasons or if the information could present an unreasonable risk of harm to a particular group.
CDC Advisory Council
An Advisory Council will be established to help the Director-General fulfil their functions and responsibilities.
The Director-General will chair the council, with 6 to 10 other members appointed by the Minister for Health and Ageing based on their individual skills and expertise. They will not represent an organisation or jurisdiction.
The Advisory Council will cover fields in:
- public health
- clinical practice
- human rights
- data and statistics
- communications
- economics
- emergency management.
The Advisory Council will include:
- at least one member with lived experience of disability and expertise in the health needs of people with disability
- at least one Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander member with expertise in the health needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
This will support the Australian CDC’s commitment to ensuring a broad range of views inform public health advice and action.
The Advisory Council will not have decision-making powers.