Dr Caroline McElnay, Chief Health Officer
Dr Caroline McElnay commenced as Chief Health Officer on 4 August 2025.
Dr McElnay brings more than 20 years' public health experience in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Dr McElnay has extensive experience responding to a variety of health emergencies, including leading New Zealand's COVID-19 response in her role as Director Public Health for New Zealand from 2017 to 2022.
A former President of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine, Dr McElnay is highly regarded in the field with a strong background in communicable diseases, environmental health and epidemiology.
In 2023, Dr McElnay was named a companion of the Queen's Service Order in New Zealand for services to public health. As a strong advocate of health equity, she has continued to focus her efforts on increasing child immunisation rates in New Zealand – a transferable focus for Victoria and global communities.
Chief Health Officer responsibilities
The Chief Health Officer:
- provides expert advice on matters relating to the health and wellbeing of the people of Victoria to:
- the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services
- senior leaders in the Department of Health
- Emergency Management Victoria
- the broader Victorian health sector
- issues health alerts and advisories to inform Victorians about health issues that may affect their health and safety
- performs the functions or powers specified in the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 or any regulations made under that Act
- is the spokesperson for the Victorian Government on matters related to health protection, including public health incidents and emergencies
- engages with the community on public health matters
- publishes a comprehensive report on public health and wellbeing in Victoria every two years.
Deputy Chief Health Officer (Communicable Disease)
Dr Christian McGrath is the Deputy Chief Health Officer (Communicable Disease).
Responsibilities
The Deputy Chief Health Officer (Communicable Disease):
- leads the response to communicable disease incidents and emergencies
- acts as Chief Health Officer, in their absence
- engages with communicable disease clinicians
- provides expert advice on issues relating to communicable diseases to:
- the Chief Health Officer
- the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services
- senior leaders in the Department of Health
- Emergency Management
- the broader health sector.
Deputy Chief Health Officer (Environment)
Dr Evelyn Wong is the Deputy Chief Health Officer (Environment).
Responsibilities
The Deputy Chief Health Officer (Environment):
- works closely with the Chief Health Officer and acts as Chief Health Officer in their absence
- engages with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and other external stakeholders
- provides expert advice on issues relating to environmental public health including climate, drinking water, legionella, radiation and food safety to:
- the Chief Health Officer
- the Minister for Health and Ambulance Services
- senior leaders in the Department of Health
- Emergency Management Victoria
- the broader health sector.
Reviewed 03 August 2025