Hellwig has an extensive record in sport and he was Chef de Mission of the Australian team which finished fifth on the medal table at London 2012.

Before that role, he was general manager of Australia's Paralympic teams in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

Hellwig had also been due to be Australia's Chef de Mission at Rio 2016. 

But he has decided to relinquish his position with the APC, who are based on the Olympic Park in Sydney, in order to be closer to his immediate family in Melbourne.

"After having the privilege of working for the APC for 12 years, five of those as chief executive, I feel that the time is right for me to move on," Hellwig said.

"People with impairments are getting opportunities to play sport at their community level and sport is proving to be a great vehicle to changing attitudes and lives.

"One of the main things that attracts the nation to Paralympic sport is the incredible culture that underpins everything we do both as an organisation and the way our athletes prepare for Games time.

"I feel incredibly proud to have been part of developing that culture and incredibly lucky to have been able to work in that culture for the past 12 years."

Jason Hellwig (right) has held the role of Australian Paralympic Committee chief executive for five years but has decided to step down to move to be closer to his family ©Getty Images



Hellwig began his career within the sport of athletics before he became an APC Board Director in 2002, and a year later was appointed director of sport.

He has held the role of chief executive for five years but the 43-year-old believes it is time for change, although he claimed the Australian Paralympic team are in great shape to enjoy a successful Games in Rio de Janeiro next year.

"One of the main things that attracts the nation to Paralympic sport is the incredible culture that underpins everything we do both as an organisation and the way our athletes prepare for Games time," he said. 

"I feel incredibly proud to have been part of developing that culture and incredibly lucky to have been able to work in that culture for the past 12 years.

"With Rio now less than 18 months away, recent performances from athletes across several key sports have shown that Australia is well placed for success in Rio and I am confident about our chances for success next September."

Jason Hellwig announced on Twitter he was stepping down as chief executive of the Australian Paraympic Committee ©Twitter

Hellwig will be replaced on an interim basis by Michael Hartung, the APC's general manager for sport. 

APC President Glenn Tasker will lead the search for Hellwig's full-time replacement.

He believes the Hellwig has been a catalyst in the development of Paralympic sport across the country.

"When Jason started with the APC, our profile was low and the position of Paralympic sport in the overall landscape of Australian sport was closer to the margins than the centre," Tasker said.

"Jason has always been incredibly focussed on ensuring the athletes and their experience is at the core of everything the APC does and I congratulate him on what he has achieved."

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