About the TGA
Information for prospective employees
Introduction
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is part of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Its overall purpose is to protect public health and safety by regulating medicines and medical devices manufactured, imported, supplied in and exported from Australia.
TGA
Around 520 Canberrans work in the impressive TGA head office and laboratories at Symonston where medical doctors, pharmacists, pharmacologists, other scientists, and administration professionals undertake rigorous assessment, monitoring and regulation of medicines, therapeutic devices, blood products and tissues. Internationally the TGA is regarded as one of the top regulators of therapeutic products. The TGA works closely with other regulators around the world, particularly in areas of the licensing of manufacturers of medicines through membership of the International Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme and, in medical devices, through membership of the Global Harmonisation Task Force for medical devices.
The Australian community rightly expects that medicines and medical devices in the marketplace are effective, safe and of high quality. The staff at the TGA:
- provide expert policy, technical advice and analysis to Government;
- provide risk based national regulation and monitoring of the standard of medicines, medical devices, blood, blood products and tissues;
- represent and promote Australia's contribution and capabilities in the area of policy and controls for medicines, medical devices, blood and blood products in the international community;
- work with governments, industry and consumer representatives to ensure the delivery of high quality, cost-effective policies and controls designed to meet the needs of consumers; and
- ensure that we perform our regulatory role sensitively, objectively, effectively and efficiently.
We regulate through:
- timely pre-market assessment of new therapeutic goods;
- audit and licensing/certification of therapeutic goods manufacturers;
- post-market monitoring of therapeutic goods available in Australia;
- licensing of the collection, processing and testing of fresh blood collected in Australia;
- administering schemes for access to experimental and unapproved therapeutic goods;
- satisfying obligations under international drug treaties;
The work of the TGA is assisted by a range of expert advisory committees which provide valuable input from eminent practicing health professionals or from leading Australian academic institutions.
Our people
The TGA aims to attract and retain skilled staff and supports a culture of high performance, continuous learning, and scientific excellence through a focus on:
- effective leadership and management
- a shared commitment to protecting the community
- being an employer of choice
At the Symonston head office, surrounded by bushland and resident kangaroos, the workforce enjoys free car parking, sporting facilities including an on-site gym with very competitive membership costs, an on-site professional library and a staff canteen. There are a small number of specialist staff located in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. All staff enjoy flexible working conditions and competitive salaries.
The TGA is able to offer employment opportunities to people with backgrounds in a number of professional, technical and other fields including: biochemistry, biological sciences, biomedical engineering, clerical administration, criminal investigation, good manufacturing practices inspection and auditing, information technology, naturopathy and herbal medicines, pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacy, toxicology, and public health general practice.
Your employment conditions
Your employment conditions will include:
- annual stand down between Christmas and New Year
- recreation leave
- personal leave (sick leave)
- purchase of additional leave
- long service leave
- paid maternity leave after one year's service
- parental leave
- study assistance programs
- generous superannuation provisions
- salary sacrifice
- flextime (for APS6s and below)
- family friendly working arrangements
- Performance Bonus Payments for staff at the Executive Level 2 and equivalent levels
Internet links
- The Collective Agreement will provide more information on our conditions of employment
- About the TGA <http://www.tga.gov.au/about/about.htm> will provide more information about the TGA
- Legislation <http://www.tga.gov.au/legis/index.htm> will provide information on the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and other Australian legislation