First Nations Health and Welfare Group Head – Affirmative Measures, First Nations

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; Canberra; On-site; AUD 305,000 - 370,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare invites applications for the First Nations Health and Welfare Group Head, SES Band 1, based in Canberra ACT or Sydney NSW. You will lead strategy, data collection, analysis and reporting to inform national policy and Closing the Gap priorities, and build strong partnerships with government, community and research sectors.

You will champion Indigenous Data Sovereignty, guide high‑performing teams, and translate complex information into clear insights

Qualifications

• Accomplished leader with understanding of the Australian health landscape and the power of data.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to translate complex information into insights.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and guiding data-driven policy development.

Responsibilities

• Lead collection, analysis and reporting of data to inform national policy and Closing the Gap.
• Build partnerships across government, community and research sectors.
• Champion Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Governance in all work streams.
• Direct strategic initiatives to improve health and welfare outcomes for First Nations peoples.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Job description

First Nations Health and Welfare Group Head – Aff…

SES Band 1

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) is Australia’s authoritative source of health and welfare data and analysis. As an independent national information and statistics agency within the Commonwealth’s Health portfolio, the AIHW publishes more than 400 data products each year, maintains and administers specialised national data standards and classifications, and supports high quality research.

The First Nations Health and Welfare Group Head, SES Band 1 reports to the Executive Director, Community and First Nations Insights Division, and leads the development, analysis and reporting of information and statistics about the health and welfare of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Group provides authoritative evidence and meaningful insights to support policy development, service planning, allocation of resources, and monitoring of progress against national priorities, including Closing the Gap. Its work spans health performance reporting, burden of disease, primary health care, mental health and wellbeing, regional data and community insights, with a strong focus on partnership with First Nations people and organisations. The Group is committed to incorporating in its work Indigenous concepts of social and emotional wellbeing as well Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Governance.

As the First Nations Health and Welfare Group Head, you will provide strategic and professional leadership to one of Australia’s leading health and welfare data agencies. Working closely with the Executive Director, senior leaders and stakeholders, you will drive the collection, analysis and reporting of data that informs national policy and improves outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. You will build strong partnerships across government, community and research sectors, lead high-performing teams, champion Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Governance, and shape innovative data products, systems and services. This is a unique opportunity to influence national priorities, advance Closing the Gap reforms and strengthen the impact of health and welfare data for First Nations communities.

To be a strong contender for this critical leadership role, you will be an accomplished leader with an understanding of the Australian health and welfare landscape and the power of data, analytics and evidence to drive meaningful outcomes. You will bring exceptional judgement, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear insights, influence decision-making, and shape policy and strategic direction. You will have a track record of leading high-performing teams, fostering innovation and continuous improvement, building trusted partnerships across government, community and research sectors, and delivering results in complex and evolving environments.

This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

This position will be based in Canberra ACT or Sydney NSW. Consideration by exception for the preferred candidate to be based outside of Canberra or Sydney. If the successful candidate is not based in Canberra, there is an expectation of regular travel to Canberra.

Applications close: 11.30pm AEDT, Sunday 11 October 2026.