About Matt Cahill
.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:16.64%25,w:66.72%25,h:100%25/rs=w:640,h:640,cg:true/fx-gs)
Matt is a former deputy secretary, with over 20 years’ experience as a senior executive in multiple Commonwealth Public Service portfolios. He has led policy, operational, service delivery, program, regulatory, corporate and assurance leadership teams and is passionate about developing and empowering leaders. His depth of experience and commitment to developing the Australian Public Service and its leaders has led to him being appointed to the inaugural APS Academy Faculty, where he helps guide and contribute to the design and delivery of initiatives that build the APS’s capabilities.
Matt has overseen policy development and portfolio budget submissions in agriculture, environment, immigration, and taxation portfolios. He has chaired Commonwealth - State senior officials' meetings and represented Australia internationally across many portfolios, including as head of delegation.
Matt's operational leadership experience includes leading the service delivery network for Services Australia and the Indigenous Affairs regional network, overseeing environment portfolio operations and leading immigration detention, compliance, removal, and transfer operations during a period of unprecedented levels of boat arrivals. His extensive program and regulatory experience stems from having led the delivery and closure of the Home Insulation Safety Program and the implementation of energy efficiency grant programs. He headed Australia’s environment protection regulatory functions and is a former Assistant Commissioner of taxation.
Matt has held Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer positions, as well as senior executive positions focused on agency funding. He has deep audit experience, having overseen the performance audit program at the Australian National Audit Office.
Matt now consults across government and other sectors. Matt provides a range of services focused on developing public sector leaders, providing subject-matter expert advice, and driving good outcomes through contributing to governance and decision-making. His clients include numerous federal government departments and agencies and private sector companies.
Matt is a Certified Practising Accountant with fellow status, an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and a winner of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Leadership in Government ‘Outstanding Contribution to Public Administration’ Award. He has a Master of Business Administration and undergraduate degrees in Economics and Science.