Recently appointed Department of Health secretary Glenys Beauchamp PSM is moving closer to announcing a significant restructure.
Ms Beauchamp was appointed to succeed former secretary Martin Bowles in early September, taking up the role later that month, having previously been secretary of Industry, Innovation and Science.
it is understood the new secretary's restructure is designed to create a leaner and less top-heavy organisation. It is also understood health minister Greg Hunt has made a contribution to design that will involve substantial changes across the department's senior executive service level.
A new restructure follows several years of almost continuous change under Mr Bowles.
During his tenure, Mr Bowles made substantial changes to the department, including at its senior levels. Many long-standing and highly regarded officials left the department, leaving gaping holes in capability that endure to this day.
One of Mr Bowles' final acts was to back a move by former deputy secretary Andrew Stuart in reforming the areas responsible for the PBS, private health insurance and Medicare, into a single division.