Virtual on the Couch with Tony Circelli

Mr Tony Circelli is Chief Executive of the Environment Protection Authority, South Australia’s independent environment regulator and sits on South Australia’s Senior Management Council.

Before taking up his current position in May 2014, Mr Circelli was Deputy CE for 2 years. He has worked in the EPA since its establishment in 1995, holding a variety of senior executive positions, including leading national and state policy and strategy development, operations, and corporate governance functions.

He has led on significant and nation-leading reforms including establishing South Australia’s site contamination legislative system, and introducing legislative and policy framework to underpin and support the state’s billion-dollar resource recovery sector.

Mr Circelli has significant knowledge and experience in regulatory science and building better regulatory practice into EPA policy, operations and organisational culture.

He is the current Presiding Member of the SA Radiation Protection Committee, and a member of the national Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council.

Mr Circelli has an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Foundation.

In April 2024 David was announced as the Chief Executive of the newly created Department for Housing and Urban Development. David is responsible for ensuring the delivery of the State Government’s commitment to addressing the State’s housing crisis by focusing on the delivery of services and policy that allow additional homes to be constructed as quickly as possible. David also develops strategy to ensure the management of the State’s Planning System to support our growing population to maintain our lifestyle.

In July 2024 until April 2025 David was appointed as the Chief Executive of the SA Housing Trust while concurrently leading the Department for Housing and Urban Development. Whilst leading the SA Housing Trust David was integral to addressing housing needs for those most in need in our community.

David has a demonstrated record of success in policy advice, financial management, and developing strong relationships across government, industry and community sector organisations.

David was the Chief Executive of the Department for Trade and Investment (DTI) from 2022 to 2024. He drove business investment in the state and facilitated trade in goods and services interstate and internationally.

Prior to 2022 David had a lengthy career in the Department of Treasury and Finance including the last 8 years as its Chief Executive. That role included managing the state economy and budget through the global pandemic while continuing to invest in infrastructure and managing the state’s credit rating.

David completed a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Adelaide and in 2022 was awarded a Public Sector Medal for his outstanding contributions to economic and financial policy in South Australia. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

David is a passionate South Australian driven by helping to grow the South Australian economy through leading and collaborating both within government and with the private sector.

Awards:
Public Service Medal
Distinguished Alumni, University of Adelaide