The National Environmental Protection Agency (National EPA) is Australia’s national environmental regulator. It delivers transparent, timely, and evidence-based environmental regulation. The agency was established on 1 July 2026, bringing together regulatory functions of Australia’s national environmental laws into one independent agency.

The National EPA work regulates development to protect matters of national environmental significance, strengthens compliance with national environmental laws, and provides clear, predictable regulatory pathways that support environmentally responsible economic activity and good environmental outcomes.

As National EPA’s Chief Finance Officer you will provide strategic leadership of the agency’s financial management, budgeting, financial operations, charging and cost recovery, procurement and associated financial governance arrangements. You will lead the Finance Branch and work collaboratively across the agency to strengthen financial stewardship, support informed decision-making and embed effective financial management practices.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will be a trusted adviser to the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Board, Audit and Risk Committee and senior leadership. One of the immediate challenges in this role will be balancing delivery across significant and concurrent priorities in three workstreams: establishment of the corporate division, embedding and maintaining effective business-as-usual operations, and implementation of environmental law reform initiatives.



As Chief Finance Officer, you will play a key role in ensuring the agency's financial management supports these priorities,



while maintaining strong financial stewardship and governance. To be a robust contender for this important role you will have a strong record of shaping organisational strategy, excel in working in complex financial environments and you will be forward thinking, self-motivated, resilient and adept at building relationships across a broad range of sectors. Your integrity, judgement and strong leadership credentials will be paramount.

You will have a strong focus on results and ability to analyse complex and incomplete information. Your impressive personal style and ability to engender trust and respect will be complemented by sound judgement, intellectual rigor, first class communication skills and impressive interpersonal and relationship building skills.

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the National EPA you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - this position requires a NV1 security clearance. Applicants must hold, or be eligible to obtain and maintain, an NV1 security clearance.

Pre-employment checks - the preferred candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment screening. This may include identity and citizenship verification, a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, referee checks, employment history and qualification verification, and other suitability checks relevant to the role.

How to apply

All applications must be submitted through the Executive Intelligence Group website- https://executiveintelligencegroup.com.au/. Detailed instructions on how to submit your application can be found in the candidate pack.

Applications close 11.30pm (AEDT) Sunday 22 November 2026.

📌 Chief Finance Officer and Branch Head, Finance (Adelaide)
🏢 National Environmental Protection Agency
📍 Adelaide