Tony Cook appointed as Secretary of the Department of Education

Mr Tony Cook PSM has been appointed by Prime Minister Albanese to the position of Secretary of the Federal Department of Education.

Mr Cook is currently Deputy Secretary, Higher Education, Research and International at the Department of Education. He has held a range of senior public servant positions at the Commonwealth and state levels, including as Director‑General of the Queensland Department of Education and Deputy Secretary at the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

He brings significant policy experience and strong stakeholder relationships to his role, particularly in the education sector. He was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2014 in recognition of his work on school policy and funding reform.

In announcing the appointment, the Prime Minister thanked outgoing Secretary Dr Michele Bruniges AM for her service since April 2016. 

“Dr Bruniges has made a significant contribution to education policy at the Commonwealth and state levels over a number of decades and I wish her well for the future,” Prime Minister Albanese said. 

A list of all departmental secretaries is available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s website.