Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton, who helped lead the state’s public health response to Covid, is leaving to take up a new role with the national science agency.

Professor Sutton will head CSIRO’s Health and Biosecurity group, leading research and development around health and biosecurity preparedness and responsiveness, digital health, and health and wellbeing.

He will also play a leading role in developing CSIRO’s broader health challenge strategy, focussing on human health and interactions between animal and environmental factors and humans, and bolstering Australia’s sovereign capability.

Kirsten Rose, CSIRO’s Executive Director of Future Industries, said CSIRO’s health role is more important than ever, with the state’s sprawling and fragmented health system in need of science-led solutions.

“The magnitude of the challenges Professor Sutton faced as Victoria’s Chief Health Officer in guiding the public health response to COVID-19, together with his specialised knowledge in tropical medicine and infectious disease, gives him a unique and compelling skill set to continue to drive CSIRO’s leadership in health and biosecurity research,” she said in a statement.

Professor Sutton has extensive experience and clinical expertise in public health and communicable diseases.

Prior to his appointment as Chief Health Officer, he held several senior positions within the Victorian Department of Health, including as Deputy Chief Health Officer (Communicable Disease).

Health Secretary Euan Wallace said Professor Sutton had helped develop a strong and responsive public health team since joining the Department in 2011.

“This experience will no doubt be instrumental in his new role at CSIRO where he will remain engaged in health and wellbeing at a national and regional level. It also provides a great opportunity for us to strengthen the partnership between our two organisations,” Professor Wallace said.

Professor Wallace said he is currently finalising Professor Sutton’s last day with the department.