Director National Standards

• 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.

HOW TO APPLY

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

The reference number to include in your application is H26_5331.