Centre for Disease Control (Australia)

Centre for Disease Control
Agency overview
Formed1 January 2024 (2024-01-01)
JurisdictionAustralian Government
HeadquartersCanberra
Minister responsible
Agency executive
  • Mary Wood, Head of the interim CDC
Parent departmentDepartment of Health, Disability and Ageing
Websitehttps://www.cdc.gov.au/

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is an Australian government agency responsible for disease control and management of public health emergencies. It was formed on 1 January 2024, as an interim agency. Legislation to create a permanent and independent CDC was introduced in the Parliament of Australia in September 2025. It was finally passed by both Houses on 6 November 2025 and will establish the CDC on 1 January 2026[1]

Currently, the agency is under the control of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and overseen by the Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler. The CDC was formed during the Albanese government's inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. The interim agency executive is Mary Wood. Once the CDC transitions from an interim to a permanent organisation, it will be headed by a director-general.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Australian Centre for Disease Control Bill 2025". ParlInfo (Parliament of Australia). Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  2. ^ "Australia is about to get a centre for disease control. How will it tackle public health challenges?". The Guardian. 8 September 2025. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 September 2025.