The Australian Government has confirmed the appointment of Ms Julie-Ann Guivarra as the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).

Ms Guivarra, a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman, has been a senior executive within the agency since 2021 and has been serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer since August 2025. Her official five-year term will begin on 1 December 2025, following a competitive selection process.

During her time with the NIAA, Ms Guivarra has played a central role in shaping Commonwealth policies, developing key programs, and overseeing their implementation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. She brings extensive public service experience to the role, having previously held senior positions at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Notably, she became the first Indigenous woman to serve as an Australian ambassador, representing the country in Spain, Andorra, and Equatorial Guinea between July 2018 and January 2020. In March 2020, she was appointed Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, welcomed the appointment, saying: “I am so pleased to announce Julie-Ann Guivarra as the new Chief Executive Officer of the NIAA.”

“I have had the opportunity to work closely with Julie-Ann on delivering on our key priorities, including our remote employment program,” she said. “I know her passion for inclusion, collaboration and making a positive impact.”

“I look forward to continuing to work with her to deliver our government’s economic empowerment agenda and improving the life outcomes for First Nations people across the country.”