Applications for this position close at 11.30pm AEST on Sunday 20 September 2026

The Opportunity The Australian Government is seeking to appoint the position of Director General, Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) to administer the responsibilities of a domestic regulator and fulfil the role of national authority for Australia’s non-proliferation treaties. In this role, you will report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and lead ASNO’s efforts to enhance Australian and international security through activities that strengthen the effectiveness of regimes against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

As a statutory officer, you will act with a high degree of regulatory independence as you exercise your specific powers and functions in accordance with Australia’s non-proliferation treaty obligations, domestic legislation and the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs’ Statement of Expectations. You will also be responsible for ensuring the provision of expert advice to government in the technically complex area of non-proliferation and disarmament verification mechanisms, supporting regional partners to implement their non-proliferation treaty obligations and strengthening domestic and international verification systems.

This is a unique opportunity to lead ASNO at a time when its work has never been more important.

As Director

General, you will continue to build staff capacity and capability, ensuring ASNO remains an independent, credible and robust regulator. You will strengthen the organisation’s governance and regulatory management functions to ensure it is fit-for-purpose and able to meet its growing responsibilities. This work is particularly significant given ASNO’s nuclear safeguards and security responsibilities for Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion program.

As an independent statutory office holder, you will be expected to demonstrate high standards of integrity, skilled conduct and public accountability. You will contribute to the government’s regulatory reform agenda,



ensuring ASNO operates as an independent, credible and effective domestic regulator. You will deliver an annual report that demonstrates the principles of regulator best practice through tailored performance and financial reporting, demonstrating how Australia continues to meet the highest standards in non-proliferation.

The role is a statutory office under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987. Under the Act, the appointment of a Director General is by the Governor-General for a fixed term of up to five years, with an option to extend.

For further information, please see the job Applicant Information Pack at DFAT Careers.

- Provide overall leadership, management and development of ASNO staff, employed under the Public Service Act 1999 as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and made available to support the performing of ASNO’s statutory functions.
- Execute the statutory responsibilities under the:

o Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 (Safeguards Act)

o Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 (CWP Act)

o Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Act 1998 (CTBT Act).

- Under the Safeguards Act and as delegated by the Foreign Minister, grant, vary or revoke nuclear safeguards and nuclear security permits, including those required for Australia’s naval nuclear propulsion program. Where a decision is required by the Foreign Minister, assess applications against legislative requirements, and provide advice on whether the permits should be granted, varied or revoked.
- Under the Safeguards Act, provide authoritative advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the operation of Australia's safeguards system,



including regulatory, policy and international safeguards matters.
- Under the CWP Act and as delegated by the Foreign Minister, administer Australia’s permit and notification regime for scheduled chemicals and facilities, including approving, varying or revoking permits.
- Lead ASNO in the effective operation of these Acts, to enable Australia to continue to meet international non-proliferation treaty obligations, including: the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT); Australia’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); the Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (A/CPPNM) ; the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC); the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT); the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT); multiple prescribed international agreements under the Safeguards Act, including those that form part of Australia’s network of treaty-level bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (NCAs) and the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty.
- Table an Annual Report in Parliament to:

o report on the execution and performance of ASNO regulatory responsibilities and international obligations o demonstrate how Australia is meeting the highest standard of non-proliferation implementation and verification

- Ensure operational alignment and implementation of the Australian Government’s regulatory reform agenda
- Consult, negotiate, chair meetings with other government agencies, foreign government representatives, industry and international organisations.
- Chair inter-departmental and inter-governmental meetings, appear before parliamentary committees, senate estimates and represent ASNO and Australia at conferences/meetings and engage in public communications in areas of statutory responsibility.
- Effectively manage ASNO administrative and departmental budgets.

Candidates must be Australian Citizens

📌 Director General, Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (Australia)
🏢 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
📍 Australia