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.
As Commissioner, Ms O’Neill leads the Western Australian public sector with around 180,000 staff, setting the direction and standards in areas such as integrity, capability, leadership, data and workforce.
Innovative and purposeful programs and reforms delivered under Ms O’Neill’s leadership – including Building Leadership Impact, Agency Capability Review Program and The Skills Academy – are forging a contemporary and future fit public sector for all Western Australians.
She began her career as a teacher and deputy principal in country schools before moving to policy, governance and system leadership positions in education. She has a Master of Education (Education Administration and Policy) and was the youngest Director General appointed to the Department of Education.
In parallel with being Commissioner, she was State Recovery Controller from 2020 to 2022 responsible for developing, coordinating and overseeing WA’s recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. She was awarded the Public Service Medal in the 2023 Australia Day Honours for leading this vital work.
Ms O’Neill has been Chair of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) Board since 2023, the first Western Australian to hold this position.
She is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (WA) and recipient of the Australian College of Educators (WA) Medal in recognition of her achievements in education.
Ms O’Neill was awarded the Order of Australia in the 2026 Australia Day Honours in recognition of outstanding public service, an honour reflecting an impactful career defined by leadership, integrity and a deep commitment to serving the community.
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