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DSTO operates within the governance framework of the Department of Defence. The head of DSTO, the Chief Defence Scientist, is a member of the Defence Committee which is the overarching management committee in the Department of Defence. Its role is to make decisions that assist in achieving the results specified in the Ministerial Direction to the Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Force.

Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Alex Zelinsky

The Chief Defence Scientist is responsible to the Defence Ministers (the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel) through the Secretary of the Department of Defence, and is responsive to the priorities of the Chief of the Defence Force, Service Chiefs, and other Group Heads within the Department.

The Chief Defence Scientist is supported by three deputies:

• Deputy Chief Defence Scientist (Platforms and Human Systems)
• Deputy Chief Defence Scientist (Information and Weapons Systems)
• Deputy Chief Defence Scientist (Corporate)

DSTO Advisory Board

The DSTO Advisory Board provides advice and support to CDS and the responsible Minister on strategic issues relating to the effective development and application of science and technology to Defence, including DSTO research direction and balance.

The Board also provides strategic advice and guidance on DSTO’s national and international engagement, strategies to attract and retain staff, how best to achieve cultural change in the organisation and communication and advocacy activities associated with opening up channels of communication with key figures in industry and academia.

Membership

Mr Neil Edwards (Chair)
Professor Ian Chubb AC (Chief Scientist)
Professor Paul Greenfield AO
AIRMSHL Mark Binskin, AO
Mr Peter Jennings
Professor Mary O’Kane
Dr Peter Binks
Dr Alex Zelinsky (Chief Defence Scientist, ex officio)

DSTO Probity Board

The DSTO Probity Board has been established to increase stakeholder and public confidence in our scientific and technical advice to Defence. The board provides advice to CDS and helps DSTO establish systems to ensure DSTO's dual role of working with industry to develop solutions for Defence capability, and of providing technical advice to Defence on acquisitions, can be carried out without perceptions of conflict of interest or bias.

The independent Probity Board has three main roles:

• Aid in establishing and endorsing a probity and ethical management framework for decision making
• Provide advice on potential risks in specific industry engagements and their possible consequences
• Provide advice on options for managing those risks

Membership:

Dr Simon Longstaff (Chair)
Mr Grahame Cook
Mr John Scala
Mr David Gaul
Mr Harry Dunstall
MAJGEN John Caligari