Biography
Prof Brett Sutton is a Director at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, leading the Health & Biosecurity Research Unit, comprising over 350 researchers and support staff in areas of digital health, human health and plant, animal and environmental biosecurity.
A qualified public health physician, he brings extensive experience and clinical expertise in public health and communicable diseases, developed through roles in government, emergency medicine, and international fieldwork.
Before joining CSIRO, Brett served as Victoria’s Chief Health Officer and Chief Human Biosecurity Officer, heading the Health Protection Branch within the Victorian Department of Health.
With specialist knowledge in tropical medicine and infectious diseases, Brett has worked extensively in lower-middle-income countries and complex humanitarian settings, including in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Timor-Leste, and Fiji.
Brett’s career reflects his passion and commitment to advancing health outcomes in Australia and globally.
Professor Sutton is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health, a Fellow of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine, and a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine (AFPHM). He is also a member of the Faculty of Travel Medicine.
Academic Qualifications
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1993
M.B.;B.S
University of Melbourne -
2007
Masters of Public Health & Tropical Medicine
James Cook University -
2017
Fellow
Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine -
2018
Fellow
Royal Society for Public Health -
2018
Fellow
Australasian College of Tropical Medicine -
2021
Adjunct Clinical Professor
Monash University -
2024
Enterprise Professor
University of Melbourne
Achievements and Awards
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2024-2024
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
Council for the Order of Australia -
2023-2023
Victoria Day Award for Community and Public Service (Victorian of the Year)
Victoria Day Council -
2021-2021
Outstanding Alumni Award
College of Public Health, James Cook University -
2021-2021
President's Extraordinary Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Health
Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine -
2020-2020
AMA President's Award
Australian Medical Association
Current Roles
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Director
Health & Biosecurity, CSIRO
Professional Experiences
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2018-2023
Chief Health Officer
Victorian Department of Health -
2017-2018
Deputy Chief Health Officer, Communicable Disease
Victorian Department of Health -
2016-2017
Assistant Director Communicable Disease
Victorian Department of Health
Community and Corporate Citizenship
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2024-Current
Australian Global Health Alliance Advisory Board
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2023-Current
Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance
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2024-Current
Australian eHealth Research Centre Board
-
2024-Current
National Climate and Health Program Board
-
2025-Current
ALRC Advisory Committee for the Review of Human Tissue Laws