Chief Health & Quality Officer

ARC Disability is a community-based organisation with a long history in Cairns and Far North Queensland, supporting children and adults with disability, their families and support networks. For almost 50 years, ARC has been committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred services while promoting inclusion, choice and control.

Role Summary

- Full-time permanent | Executive Leadership Team position.
- Reporting directly to the CEO and Quality Care Governance Committee.
- Prospect to shape quality, care governance and operational excellence across the organisation.

This is a rare opportunity to join ARC's Executive Team and play a pivotal role in leading the organisation's quality, health governance, compliance and risk management functions. You will provide strategic leadership across all organisational services and operations, ensuring ARC continues to deliver safe, high-quality and person-centred supports.

The Chief Health & Quality Officer will oversee ARC's Care Governance Framework, quality management systems, restrictive practice oversight, complaints management, incident reporting, accreditation requirements and organisational risk framework while supporting the implementation of ARC's Strategic Plan

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

- Lead and oversee ARC's Care Governance Framework across the organisation.
- Ensure participants with complex health requirements have current health plans and appropriately trained staff.
- Oversee organisational quality systems and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with NDIS Practice Standards, Child Safe Standards and other regulatory requirements.
- Lead internal auditing, accreditation preparation and quality assurance activities.




- Oversee reportable incidents, restrictive practices and Quality and Safeguards Commission reporting obligations.
- Manage organisational complaints and concerns processes with a focus on transparency, human rights and participant outcomes.
- Provide executive leadership regarding risk management, quality performance indicators and governance reporting.
- Develop and maintain effective systems, controls, policies and procedures.
- Work closely with the CEO, Executive Team, Board and Quality Care Governance Committee.
- Analyse trends and organisational data to identify risks, opportunities and areas for improvement.
- Promote a culture of quality, accountability, safety and continuous improvement across all services.
- Support the organisation in implementing our new strategic plan, which is heavily focused on the quality of care and positive participant outcomes.

What's on Offer?

- Opportunity to join the Executive Leadership Team of a highly respected disability support provider.
- Attractive salary package of $170,000 plus 12% superannuation and salary sacrifice benefits.
- Access to Fitness Passport.
- Free Employee Assistance Program.
- Opportunity to influence organisational strategy and quality outcomes.
- Work with a passionate and values-driven leadership team.
- Be part of an organisation committed to innovation, improvement and participant outcomes.

Is this You?





- You are an experienced health, nursing or allied health professional who can balance strategic leadership with operational oversight. You understand the importance of quality care governance and compliance while recognising that disability services operate within a social model of support, not a clinical model of care.
- You will be someone who can engage with stakeholders, identify emerging risks, use data to drive improvement, and build a culture where quality and participant outcomes remain at the centre of decision-making.

Skills and Experience

- Tertiary qualification in Health, Nursing or Allied Health with current association registration
- Demonstrated understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and operational practices
- Significant understanding of current relevant legislation and codes of practices including the NDIS Capability Frameworks, the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
- Proven stakeholder relationship management with organisational stakeholders including key government, non-government and statutory agencies.
- Experience leading quality improvement initiatives and organisational audits.
- Strong analytical, risk management and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to develop policies, systems and organisational controls.
- Exceptional communication and report-writing skills.

Our Hiring Process

- Please click APPLY with your cover letter and resume.
- Your application should demonstrate your experience against the role's leadership, governance, quality and risk management requirements.
- Applications close Monday 14 September 2026, however, candidates may be contacted and interviewed prior to this date.

📌 CHIEF HEALTH & QUALITY OFFICER (Cairns)
🏢 Arc Disability Services
📍 Cairns