David Hazlehurst
Chief Executive Officer
Services Australia
David Hazlehurst started as CEO of Services Australia in January 2024.
He brings expertise in service delivery, customer-centred digital services, whole-of-government stakeholder partnerships, and a career spanning social and economic portfolios.
Most recently, David was Head of Secretariat for the Australian Government's National Disability Insurance Scheme Review and the myGov User Audit.
David was previously Deputy Secretary at the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment where he supported Australian farmers, food processors and exporters to sustainably grow their businesses through access to overseas markets and regulatory services to meet the requirements of trading partners.
At the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) he was Deputy CEO responsible for strategy, governance and enabling services. As Deputy Secretary at the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, he led AusIndustry support for businesses and digital strategy and operations and coordinated whole-of-government implementation of the government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda.
At the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, he was responsible for advice to the Prime Minister on the economy, the Budget, industry policy, infrastructure, the environment and communications, and had oversight of taskforces working on the Agricultural Competitiveness and Development of Northern Australia White Papers, the Review of the Renewable Energy Target, and the Industry, Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda.
While at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, David was seconded to be the Interim CEO of the newly established Digital Transformation Office, leading the initial development of the Australian Government’s digital transformation agenda.
Earlier roles in the Australian Public Service included leading the Higher Education Division in the Department of Education; Chief Adviser to the Henry Review in the Treasury, with a particular focus on improving the experience of individuals and businesses interacting with the tax and transfer system; and, leading the Families Group in the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, with responsibility for family payments and relationship services, as well as major reforms of the child support system and the introduction of income management.
David has a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Economics, and a Masters of Public Policy, all from the Australian National University.