Institute of Public Administration Australia (ACT) Limited

Dr Rachel Bacon is currently a deputy secretary for Public Sector Reform at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 

Prior to this, Rachel worked at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts as deputy secretary of the regional, cities and territories group, delivering place-based policy and services for communities around Australia. Rachel also worked in the Department of Environment and Energy, running the policy analysis and implementation division, and as deputy chief executive Officer with the Northern Territory Government’s Department of the Chief Minister. 

Rachel previously led a number of taskforces based in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) working to deliver whole-of-government priorities in areas such as environment regulation reform and Australia’s engagement with Asia, and has worked in teams to improve implementation capability, deliver strategic policy projects, and support government in areas such as counter-terrorism, native title and refugee law.   

Rachel’s PhD focused on administrative law and organisation change.