Tom Hamilton
Mr Tom Hamilton is Chief of Defence Intelligence, a role he commenced on 6 July 2024. He is leader of the Defence Intelligence Group (DIG) which brings together Defence’s intelligence functions, including the Defence Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation, to deliver priority-driven and fused intelligence analysis and products. DIG delivers intelligence capabilities to support ADF operations, and sets intelligence policies and frameworks to meet the intelligence needs of Government.
Tom joined the Australian Public Service, in the Department of Defence, in 2001. In Defence he has held senior leadership roles in international policy, strategic policy and intelligence, including as First Assistant Secretary Strategic Policy and Director Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation.
Tom was lead drafter of the 2016 Defence White Paper, and in 2019 led a review of Defence policy and was author of the consequent 2020 Defence Strategic Update. Immediately prior to his current role, Mr Hamilton was Deputy Secretary Defence Strategic Review Implementation, responsible for leading the implementation of the Defence Strategic Review including delivery of the 2024 National Defence Strategy.
Tom has also served in the Treasury as First Assistant Secretary of the Foreign Investment Division, responsible for all aspects of foreign investment policy and regulatory operations, and in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, in the National Security and Social Policy divisions. From 2009 to 2013, Tom served in the Office of the Minister for Defence as a policy adviser and Deputy Chief of Staff.