Australia moves to establish its own CDC amid global uncertainty

Australia moves to establish its own CDC amid global uncertainty

Draft legislation has been introduced to Parliament to establish the Australian CDC as an independent statutory agency — an institution long recommended by experts and highlighted by the COVID-19 inquiry as a national priority. If passed, the agency will begin operations on 1 January 2026, providing a permanent body to coordinate public health preparedness, response, and advice.

The government says the CDC will fill a critical gap. Until now, Australia has been the only OECD country without a national CDC equivalent, relying instead on fragmented systems of state, territory and federal agencies. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the weaknesses of that arrangement. With no national playbook, limited medical stockpiles, and stretched health and aged care systems, the inquiry found Australia was “woefully underprepared.” A trusted, expert, and independent CDC is seen as essential to prevent history repeating itself.

The new agency will be led by a Director-General and tasked with bringing together data, expertise, and analysis to inform governments and the community. It will also promote and coordinate actions across jurisdictions to prepare for, and respond to, emerging threats. The legislation marks the transition from the interim Australian CDC, established in 2023, to a fully independent authority.

The timing underscores the importance of strong, science-based institutions in an era where public health expertise cannot be taken for granted. The United States CDC, once the world’s most influential public health agency, is now in crisis. Under the current administration, long-time experts have been dismissed, scientific leadership sidelined, and vaccine programs disrupted. In recent months, the US CDC has seen its director sacked, senior leaders resign en masse, and critical programs dismantled—including initiatives in HIV, environmental health, and vaccine development.

Critics warn the The United States CDC, once the world’s most influential public health agency, is now in crisis.agency’s credibility has been eroded at home and abroad. Interference in science-based processes has fuelled mistrust, while deep budget and staff cuts have crippled its ability to respond to global health challenges. Internationally, the consequences are stark. US withdrawal from major health initiatives has left gaps in programs to combat HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, and threatens global pandemic preparedness. For many, the decline of the US CDC is a cautionary tale of what happens when politics eclipses science.

Against this backdrop, Australia’s move to establish its own CDC takes on added weight. Independence, transparency, and trust will be crucial for the new agency to succeed. It must not only prepare for the next pandemic but also safeguard against erosion of public confidence in science and health institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic showed how quickly misinformation can spread and how fragile trust can be. Rebuilding and maintaining that trust will be central to the CDC’s mandate.

And legislation is only the first step. The Australian CDC will need to prove it can provide timely, evidence-based advice, coordinate across federal and state systems, and respond effectively to crises. It will also need to work with international partners at a time when global health governance is shifting. If successful, it could strengthen Australia’s resilience and contribute to global stability at a moment when that contribution is sorely needed.