In addition to the role of Executive Officer of the National Science and Technology Council, Australia’s Chief Scientist is a member of the following advisory bodies. 

Climate Change Authority

Australia’s Chief Scientist is an ex-officio member of the Climate Change Authority (the Authority). The Authority is an independent statutory body established under the Climate Change Authority Act 2011 (CCA Act) to provide expert advice to the Australian Government on climate change policy. 

The Authority’s  purpose is to provide expert, independent and evidence-based advice on Australia’s response to climate change. The Authority does this by conducting regular and specifically-commissioned reviews and by undertaking research on climate change matters in accordance with the principles set out in section 12 of the CCA Act. 

Further information about the Authority’s role, membership, and meeting outcomes is available on the Climate Change Authority website. 

National Data Advisory Council 

Under the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022, Australia’s Chief Scientist is an ex-officio member of the National Data Advisory Council. The role of the National Data Advisory Council role is to advise the National Data Commissioner on data sharing, including on: 

• ethics 
• balancing data availability with privacy protection 
• trust and transparency 
• technical best practice 
• industry and international developments.

Further information, including a list of members and meeting reports from previous meetings can be found on the Office of the National Data Commissioner’s website.

National Research Infrastructure Advisory Group

Australia’s Chief Scientist is an ex-officio member of the National Research Infrastructure Advisory Group. The Advisory Group has been established to provide the Australian Government with independent and long-term strategic advice on national research infrastructure. Further information is available on the Department of Education website.