Australia to establish permanent Centre for Disease Control

The Australian government has taken a significant step in protecting the nation’s health security, with legislation to establish an independent Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) successfully passing the Senate.

The establishment of the Australian CDC represents a pivotal investment in the nation’s health infrastructure, promising a more coordinated, evidence-driven, and resilient approach to public health challenges for current and future generations.

This landmark decision, finalised on November 6, marks the culmination of decades of advocacy and a commitment to strengthening Australia’s public health capabilities.

The new CDC will consolidate evidence from across the country to protect against a wide array of health threats, ranging from infectious diseases to environmental and climate-related risks. Its core function will be to provide transparent, trusted, and evidence-based advice to both the public and governments.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said the CDC aims to build trust in the the health system.

“This legislation puts in place an enduring public health institution for Australia. Its advice will be grounded in evidence, published openly, and focused on keeping Australians safe and well,” Mr Butler said.

“It’s an investment in our national health security and in building the trust Australians place in our public health system.”

Before the legislation passed, Australia stood as the only OECD country without a CDC equivalent, a gap starkly highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Preparations are now underway to transition the work of the interim CDC, which commenced in January 2024, to the statutory agency, with an inaugural director-general to be recruited and foundational governance arrangements established.

The permanent agency is set to become effective on 1 January 2026.

Public health organisations have widely welcomed the passing of the bill, with Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) chief Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin calling the moment one for the “public health history books.”

“An Australian CDC is now more important than ever,” Prof Slevin said.

“Childhood vaccination rates are falling, misinformation is rife, the health harms from climate change are growing, and our country faces new and old infectious disease threats. The tsunami of preventable chronic disease must also be addressed.

“A permanent Australian CDC will ensure we are better prepared for future pandemics by providing a central body to coordinate and co-operate with states and territories. It will be a central source of up-to-date information and expertise across a range of health issues. It will also engage with other similar bodies around the world to gather and share intelligence.”

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) also lauded the Senate’s decision.

It has been a vocal proponent for an independent Australian CDC since 2017, advocating strongly for its creation. AMA president Dr Danielle McMullen said the Covid-19 pandemic uncovered how under-prepared the country was to respond to such events.

“We are dealing with many complex issues right now including communicable diseases between people and animals, antimicrobial resistance and other emerging threats that require surveillance and monitoring,” she said.

“The AMA is looking forward to continuing to work with the government and the new Director-General to ensure the CDC relies on strong, clinical and scientific expert leadership.

“The appointment of a politically neutral, highly qualified Director-General is vital to ensure the CDC becomes Australia’s most trusted.”