Executive Director
Australian Government Office for Women

Julia Burns has been the head of the Office for Women since October 2006. Two significant highlights in that time have been addressing the UN General Assembly on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also in 2007 and Australia’s hosting of the APEC Women’s Leaders Network in Port Douglas in 2007.

Julia has established and led women’s networks in several government departments, and takes a very keen interest in mentoring and supporting women into senior executive roles. In 2007 & 2008 Julia took part in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Julia has an extensive background in social policy (including child care and disability policy and programs) and in corporate areas. Julia has been a senior executive in the Australian Public Service for over 15 years. Her previous roles include key logistics postings during the Sydney Olympics, and leading human resources reforms in a number of large government agencies.

Julia has an honours degree in Communications and grew up in Lithgow NSW. She has lived with her husband Des in Canberra for over 20 years. Julia takes great pleasure in sharing in the lives of Des’s two sons and three grandchildren.