Dr Arthur John Metcalfe CBE (26 June 1895 – 24 March 1971) was a senior Australian public servant, best known for his time as Director-General of the Department of Health.
Metcalfe was born in Newcastle on 26 June 1895 to English-born parents.
[3] He led the Department implementing the National Health Act 1953, which consolidated the hospital, pharmaceutical and medical benefits schemes operated by the Australian Government.
[6] In 1947, Metcalfe was awarded a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship and spent four months studying national health schemes in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Europe.
[5] Metcalfe was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1954 for services as Director-General of health and quarantine.