The inaugural head of Australia's nuclear submarine agency, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, will step down next year amid a period of significant change within the agency's workforce and culture.

Vice Admiral Mead announced plans to retire in mid-2026 after three years leading the Australia Submarine Agency (ASA), the organisation charged with managing Australia's $368 billion nuclear submarine project.

His exit comes after two separate reviews were commissioned to investigate the agency's operations after staff raised concerns over leadership, poor morale and high turnover .

Vice Admiral Mead told the ABC on Thursday he was leaving the top position with "a sense of confidence".

"I think leaving in the middle of next year gives the government time to find that right person," he said.

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