Director, National Standards
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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Executive Summary
- Lead national safety and quality standards development including the third edition of NSQHS Standards and associated accreditation schemes.
- Provide strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement across governments, health services, and accreditation bodies to drive system-wide improvement.
- Manage a high-performing team and complex programs ensuring delivery of multi-year initiatives aligned with the Commission’s strategic priorities.
The Opportunity
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care plays a pivotal role in shaping a safer, higher-quality health system for all Australians. As a national body guiding safety and quality in healthcare, the Commission exercises system-wide influence through its stewardship of safety and quality standards and oversight of accreditation frameworks.
This is an opportunity to join a national leader in health policy and standards development, influencing outcomes that impact patients, clinicians and healthcare organisations across the country. The Commission works collaboratively with governments, health services and communities to deliver evidence-based improvements that strengthen clinical governance, empower patients and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
The Role
As Director, National Standards, you will lead a program central to the safety and quality architecture of Australian healthcare, providing strategic direction and oversight for the development, review and implementation of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, including the third edition, together with responsibility for the national accreditation schemes that underpin improvement across health services. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working as part of the Leadership Team, you will ensure these standards remain contemporary, influential and responsive to emerging system needs.
The Candidate
The Director will be an experienced health system leader with a strong understanding of the role National Standards play in driving safety, quality and accountability across the Australian health system. They will understand how national standards influence governance frameworks, accreditation requirements and clinical practice, and how these settings interact across Commonwealth, state and territory environments.
With ideally 5–10 years’ experience in senior safety and quality and clinical governance roles, the successful candidate will bring practical insight into how standards are implemented within health services and how they translate into day-to-day operational and clinical practice. Experience working closely with clinical teams, executives and governing bodies will be important to ensure standards are both rigorous and implementable.
Ideally the Director will demonstrate proven capability in healthcare delivery and policy development, with the ability to interpret complex system requirements and convert them into clear, evidence-based standards and accreditation arrangements. They will understand the balance between regulatory intent, service capability, and measurable improvement.
Bringing experience relevant to national standards development and accreditation, the successful candidate will have led substantial programs of work, managed high-performing teams and engaged effectively with jurisdictions, health service leaders, clinicians and consumer representatives. They will combine strong analytical judgement with credible system leadership to ensure Australia’s National Standards remain contemporary, practical, and aligned to national priorities.
HardyGroup is assisting the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care with this executive search process. The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 7 April 2026.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Lynette Taylor
HardyGroup Executive Director Search & Recruitment
M: +61 (0)431 293 861 / E: ltaylor@hardygroupintl.com
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
Overview of the Commission
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (Commission) leads improvements in the safety and quality of health care so all Australians receive better care, everywhere. It works in partnership with patients, carers, clinicians, the Australian, state and territory health systems, the private sector, managers and healthcare organisations to achieve a safe, high-quality and sustainable health system.
Key functions of the Commission include developing national safety and quality standards, developing clinical care standards to improve the implementation of evidence-based health care, coordinating work in specific areas to improve outcomes for patients, and providing information, publications and resources about safety and quality improvement.
The Commission works in four priority areas:
- High-quality care in an evolving environment
- Strong outcome – focused clinical governance
- Empowered patients, carers and communities
- An improvement – driven workforce culture
Our purpose
Our purpose is to contribute to better health outcomes and experiences for all patients and consumers, and improved value and sustainability in the health system by leading and coordinating national improvements in the safety and quality of health care.
Within this overarching purpose the Commission aims to ensure people are kept safe when they receive health care and that they receive the health care they should.
Working at the Commission
The Commission is an inclusive workplace, and we welcome and encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We encourage everyone to be themselves without fear of discrimination or judgement about their ancestry, age, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, cultural background and/or disability status.
Overview of National Standards Program
The National Standards Program is responsible for national standards to improve the safety and quality of health care. These currently include the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, Primary Health Care Standards, Cosmetic Surgery Standards, and Digital Mental Health Standards. The program is responsible for the maintenance, review and development of standards as a robust lever for improvement. The work underpins the broader work of the Commission to support implementation of evidence based best practice to mitigate risks associated with healthcare and drive health system improvement.
In addition, the program develops and maintains the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation Scheme, the National General Practice Accreditation Scheme and the National Diagnostic Imaging and Pathology Accreditation Schemes. This includes ongoing support and coordination of accreditation assessment processes, review and evaluation of data and reporting and feedback to drive improvement.
The Commission’s 2025 – 2030 Strategic Plan specifies that a key focus is for clinical governance, integrated standards and accreditation to drive better patient outcomes. The desired outcome is that the health system is connected, with strong leadership and governance, and is increasingly shaped by data and evidence about outcomes.
Role Specification
The Director is responsible for leading the program’s development and implementation within the Commission in line with this strategic direction.
The Director reports to the Chief Operating Officer. As a member of the Leadership team, the Director provides strategic advice and leadership for the development and delivery of their program within the Commission’s approved work plan and will support the achievement of Commission priorities and programs regarding safety and quality in health care.
The Director works closely and collaboratively with other Program Directors within the Commission, particularly with Directors who manage programs that are key content areas for Standards.
- 1.Lead the development and maintenance of national standards, working collaboratively with other program directors to deliver on the priorities of the 2025 – 2030 Strategic Plan.
- 2.Collaborate with teams across the Commission to integrate their expertise into the development of national standards in particular the NSQHS Standards (3rd ed.) and supporting resources.
- 3.Effectively manage and oversee the accreditation schemes.
- 4.Review the accreditation scheme for the NSQHS Standards for acute care to ensure that it continues to deliver intended outcomes
- 5.Undertake the fiscal management of the program including program budgeting and staff resourcing in consultation with the COO.
- 6.Manage team members on a day-to-day basis, including providing supervision, coaching, performance development and performance management where required, to ensure the program area’s deliverables are met to time and to a high-quality.
- 7.Undertake and oversee project management activities, including the development of project plans, budgets, monitoring and reporting, including timely and effective identification of problems and management of risks.
- 8.Work closely with the COO and the Commission’s Executive management team to develop and maintain effective and productive relations with the Commonwealth, the jurisdictions and other key stakeholders relating to the Commission’s Accreditation Schemes.
- 9.Promote the program’s priorities and work through a range of communications, public relations and appropriate fora as required by the CEO and COO.
- 10.Provide advice and assist with the Commission’s involvement in relevant inter-government committees, working groups and projects at a national level, including undertaking representational activities on behalf of the CEO, the COO and the Commission.
- 11.Advise the COO and other Executives, and where required, the CEO, Board and Commission standing committees on the program.
- 12.Ensure the COO is consulted and informed about the implementation of and progress on program projects and strategic implications.
Qualifications and Experience
- Experience working with safety and quality standards and knowledge of their application and of accreditation systems
- Extensive senior level management experience in a number of roles in the healthcare and/or public sector
- Demonstrated excellent program and project management experience
- Extensive senior level experience in policy development at a national or state level and preferably within a healthcare context
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in health, management, or other relevant disciplines
- Clinical experience desirable.
Required Skills and Knowledge
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of, the Australian healthcare system, its stakeholders, and of regulation in health care including safety and quality standards and the operation of national accreditation schemes
- Superior skills in program and project management
- Excellent decision-making skills, incorporating highly developed analytical skills, conceptual ability, initiative and professional judgement
- High level risk management skills
- Strong leadership skills and a demonstrated ability to manage and develop staff
- Superior verbal and written communication skills including excellent presentation, liaison, negotiation, influencing and consultation skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to cultivate positive working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, and well-developed negotiation, consultation and influencing skills
- A professional, positive, strategic and solutions-focused approach to work and leadership
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of government processes.
- 1.An extensive and comprehensive understanding of Australia’s healthcare system and regulatory structures, ideally with experience of health policy planning, development and implementation at a jurisdictional or national level
- 2.Understanding of the risks to patient safety and quality of care across the continuum of care and experience with the development and/or implementation of quality and safety health service standards to address these risks.
- 3.Demonstration of extensive experience in liaison, negotiation, and influencing and consultation skills at a senior level, and ability to engage and develop relationships with peers and senior stakeholders and to broker decisions through collaboration and consensus.
- 4.Highly developed analytical skills and conceptual ability, with the demonstrated capacity for sound judgement and innovative problem-solving and ability to grasp the underlying concerns which may influence positions.
- 5.Highly developed oral and written communication skills including demonstrated ability to communicate with a range of audiences, prepare high level briefing documents and submissions, and explain complex technical and clinical issues simply
- 6.Demonstrated experience in program or project management including managing budgets, organisational capability, and strategic planning, with a focus on achieving outstanding results.
- 7.Excellent interpersonal, leadership and staff management skills with a demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain high performing teams.
Reports to:
Chief Operating Officer
Key Relationships:
Internal
- Chief Operating Officer (direct reporting line)
- CEO and Executive Leadership Team
- Program staff and project teams within the National Standards Program
- Other Commission teams contributing to standards development and implementation
External
- Commonwealth and state/territory health departments
- Accreditation bodies and scheme operators
- Healthcare organisations and professional associations
- Consumer and community representatives
- National committees, advisory groups, and working groups
- Relevant government and non-government stakeholders across the health sector
A remuneration package appropriate to this senior leadership role will be offered, with details available through confidential discussion with the Principal Consultant.
Service Location: Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care - 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
Employment Type: Full-time, Ongoing
Candidates must be Australian citizens to be eligible to apply.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 7 April 2026.
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5331
Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.
If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Sarah Prebble via sprebble@hardygroupintl.com / +61 (0)430 219 787
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant
- 2.A written response addressing each of the key selection criteria; and
- 3.An up-to-date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Lynette Taylor
HardyGroup Executive Director, Search & Recruitment
M. +61 (0)431 293 861
E. ltaylor@hardygroupintl.com
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