Sharyn O’Neill was appointed Public Sector Commissioner in July 2018 following 12 years as Director General of the Department of Education. She is the first woman to undertake the role.
Ms O’Neill began her career as a teacher and deputy principal in country schools, before moving to policy, governance and system leadership positions. She has a Master of Education (Education Administration and Policy) and was the youngest Director General appointed to lead the Department of Education.
She has been awarded the Institute of Public Administration Australia (WA) Patron’s Award; made a Fellow of the Institute and received the Australian College of Educators (WA) Medal in recognition of her outstanding achievements in education.
Ms O’Neill was the State Recovery Controller from April 2020 to October 2022 with responsibility for developing, coordinating and overseeing WA’s recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023 she was awarded the Public Service Medal for leading this vital work.
In June 2023, Ms O’Neill became the first Western Australian to be appointed Chair of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government Board.
