Director General, Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office

• Non-Ongoing, Full-time
• Total Remuneration Package (TRP)
• Canberra-based role

Applications close at 11:30pm AEST, 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 important 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, professional 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 refer to the Applicant Information Pack.

Frequently Asked Questions - Word

Frequently Asked Questions - PDF

DG ASNO Applicant Information Pack - Word