Ms Lisa Paul was appointed Secretary of the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) on 26 October 2004.

She has more than 20 years public sector experience, including three Deputy CEO roles. Her work has focussed on human services, and she has held senior positions in education, welfare, community services, health and housing, in state and Commonwealth governments and in central and line agencies.

As Deputy Secretary, DEST, she was responsible for the Australian Government's interests in schools, vocational education and training and youth transitions, and for DEST's research capability and its corporate services including Ministerial support and communications. In addition she recently led cross-departmental work for a Management Advisory Committee Report on whole-of-government issues.

Prior to her role as Deputy Secretary, DEST, Ms Paul was Deputy Secretary in Family and Community Services where she was responsible for policies, programs and income support for young people and people with a disability, and for housing and homelessness, community services, corporate services and the $67b relationship with Centrelink. In 2002 she was asked to lead the Commonwealth's domestic response to the Bali bombings, for which she was awarded a Public Service Medal.

Ms Paul has been a Deputy Managing Director of the Health Insurance Commission and has also worked in ACT government, including during the transition to self-government. She has an Honours Degree from the ANU with a focus on social housing.