Hamish Hansford

Head of National Security, Department of Home Affairs

Hamish Hansford

Hamish commenced as the Head of National Security on 17 July 2025. In this role he is responsible for integrating the national security mission across Home Affairs. Hamish also holds the positions of Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and the National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator.​

From 2023 to 2025, Hamish was the Deputy Secretary of Cyber and Infrastructure Security Group, bringing together cyber security and technology security policy, critical infrastructure and transport security policy, regulation and partnerships, protective security policy and background checking under the AusCheck scheme.

Prior to this, Hamish was the Inaugural Head of the then Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre, a role he held from 1 September 2021, leading the principal critical infrastructure security regulatory authority, policy and program functions.

Immediately prior to this role, Hamish undertook a range of Division Head roles including leading the Cyber, Digital and Technology Policy Division, the National Security and Law Enforcement Policy Division as well Deputy Head of the COVID-19 National Coordination Mechanism.

Hamish has held Senior Executive Service positions in the former Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the former Australian Crime Commission.

Hamish has also served in a range of intelligence, policy, planning, and program delivery roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Attorney General’s Department, the Australian Senate and the former Office of Transport Security.

Hamish started his career in the National Museum of Australia.

Hamish has a Bachelor of Arts (ANU), Bachelor of Asian Studies (ANU and Gadjah Mada University) and an ANZSOG Executive Masters of Public Administration.

The PSG Conference aims to highlight the importance of working together across sectors and specialisations to address emerging challenges and enhance our nation’s security posture.

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