Hamish Hansford

Hamish Hansford is the Head of National Security at the Australian Department of Home Affairs, a role he commenced in July 2025. In this position, Hamish is responsible for integrating Australia’s national security mission across counter‑terrorism, counter‑foreign interference, cyber and technology security, critical infrastructure and transport security, protective security, resilience, criminal justice and law enforcement.

Hamish also holds the statutory roles of Commonwealth Counter‑Terrorism Coordinator and National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator.

Prior to his current appointment, Hamish served as Deputy Secretary of the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Group, where he led cyber security and technology security policy, critical infrastructure regulation and partnerships, protective security, and background checking through AusCheck. From 2021, he was the inaugural Head of the Australian Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre, establishing the Commonwealth’s principal regulatory authority for critical infrastructure security.

Earlier in his career, Hamish led major national reforms including Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020, reforms to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act, and significant national security, law enforcement and online safety initiatives. He has held senior executive roles across the Department of Home Affairs, the former Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Australian Crime Commission, and has served in intelligence, policy and program delivery roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Attorney‑General’s Department, the Australian Senate and the Office of Transport Security.

Hamish holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Asian Studies from the Australian National University (including study at Gadjah Mada University), and an Executive Master of Public Administration from the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.