Inspector-General of Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports
Dr Ash Bunce was appointed as the Inspector-General of Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports on 1 May 2026, for a period of 5 years.
Ash is a regulatory expert, with a focus on building capability and professionalism across the regulatory community, supporting governments to solve a range of contemporary, complex and challenging issues to deliver better citizen outcomes. He has over 20 years’ experience as a senior executive in multiple jurisdictions, championing the transformation of key industries and leading complex regulatory reform across the biosecurity, animal welfare, agriculture and environment sectors.
His career began in the University sector where he inspired the next generation of conservation scientists and led world class research developing innovative solutions for the conservation and management of marine biodiversity both locally and globally (with over 50 research publications). Ash continues to hold an adjunct appointment with the Australian National University.
Ash has a PhD in zoology from the University of Melbourne. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Executive Masters of Public Administration. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, he currently holds board and committee roles with Vets Beyond Borders, The Pinnacle Foundation and BirdLife Australia.