Clare Sharp PSM was appointed as Head of Immigration on 17 July 2025, leading Australia’s immigration and citizenship system.
Clare joined the Department to lead the Department’s Legal Group as General Counsel in June 2023, advising on a broad range of migration, citizenship, customs and national security matters. Prior to this role, Clare acted as Deputy Secretary for Skills and Training in the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and led Apprenticeships and Foundation Skills.
Clare has extensive experience in Commonwealth-State relations, negotiating a series of finance and governance arrangements to support a vibrant, collaborative and high quality skills and training sector to support the skilling of Australia’s workplace. Prior to this, Clare held several senior positions in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, working in Indigenous economic and business development policy and program delivery.
Clare started her career at Ashurst, working primarily in commercial law on a series of complex government outsourcing projects and completing several secondments, including with the then Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Department of Defence, Department of Human Services and Airservices Australia.
In June 2025, Clare was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) in recognition for her exemplary leadership and delivery in her role as Home Affairs General Counsel including her exceptional contribution and commitment to the legal profession, the Department and the Australian Public Service during high-profile, complex legal matters will leave a lasting legacy on the migration system.
Clare holds a Bachelor of Laws (first class honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (specialising in political science and English literature) from the Australian National University, and was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of the ACT in 2006.
