Chief Operating Officer

Patrick Hetherington

Patrick Hetherington commenced as Chief Operating Officer for Department of Social Services on 19 April 2022. In his current role, Pat leads the delivery of the Department’s corporate functions.

Pat moved to DSS from the Australian Public Service Commission where he was the Deputy Australian Public Service Commissioner and led whole-of-service APS workforce reform. Pat joined the Commission following a secondment to Services Australia where he was involved in mobilising the Australian Public Service in response to COVID-19.

Prior to joining the Australian Public Service Commission, he spent almost 20 years in the Department of Defence holding a number of senior executive positions across the finance, capability and HR domains. His roles included delivery of the Defence budget, employment policy, enterprise cultural reform and management of Defence’s Integrated Investment Program.

Pat is a Certified Practicing Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Australian National University.

Last updated: 17 October 2023 - 7:57am