Simon Atkinson

Simon Atkinson was appointed Secretary of Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications on 1 February 2020. He was previously Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development.

Prior to his appointment as Secretary, Mr Atkinson served as Deputy Secretary, Fiscal Group at the Treasury.

Since joining the Australian Public Service as a graduate, he has held senior roles in many Australian Government portfolios, including Infrastructure and Regional, Finance, Defence, and Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Mr Atkinson has held leadership roles delivering major policy reforms, including the establishment of Infrastructure Australia in 2007, the 2009 Defence White Paper and 24 Commonwealth economic updates. He has overseen the largest infrastructure investment in the Commonwealth’s history including transformational projects such as the Western Sydney Airport and led the successful stewardship of aviation, shipping, freight and telecommunications through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Atkinson is an alumnus of the University of Queensland with bachelor degrees in Science and Law. He is a barrister and solicitor of the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of NSW. Mr Atkinson holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.