Peter Woolcott AO

Headshot of Kunal Gupta

Mr Peter Woolcott AO is a distinguished former Diplomat and Australian Public Service (APS) Commissioner with an international career spanning four decades. He has unparalleled knowledge of government, systems of integrity and the global environment, including critical global issues to do with climate change and arms control.

Peter retired from his role as APS Commissioner in May 2023 after serving a five-year term, during which he worked for a stronger public service, better equipped to respond to the complex challenges of the day, through the first ‘APS Workforce Strategy’, the launch of the APS Academy and implementation of the Thodey Review.

Peter’s career has featured numerous important diplomatic positions. He served as Australia’s High Commissioner to New Zealand (2016-2017); the Australian Ambassador for the Environment (2014-2016); the Australian Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and Ambassador for Disarmament (2010-2014); Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues (2009); First Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2007-2009); Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative to the World Food Programme (2004-2007); Consul-General and Representative to the US Commander-in-Chief Pacific (1998-2001); and previous diplomatic postings including Jakarta and Manila.

Peter served as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2002-2004, and to the then Prime Minister the Hon Malcolm Turnbull from 2017-2018.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University and a Master of Arts from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the United States. In 2017, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration in the field of international relations, and as a lead negotiator in the non-proliferation and arms control fields.

As a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, Peter has a close connection with the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership and the McKinnon Institute for Political Leadership, and:

  • contributes his outstanding expertise to strategic and operational activities within the faculties of Arts and Law, and the Education Portfolio
  • provides strategic advice to the Vice-Chancellor and President related to his professional and broader knowledge and expertise
  • promote and advance Monash University and its interaction with the community.