After a first-job working at Target Newton in Adelaide,[5] Paul's first public service role was in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government Housing Trust.[4] Her career in the ACT public sector included the time during the ACT's transition to self-government.[6]
In December 2015, Paul announced her intention to leave her role at the Department of Education and Training in February 2016.[11] In December 2016 Paul was appointed a member of the Australian Government's Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board.[12]
Paul has served as the chair of headspace since 2018[13] and is a member of Raise Foundation's Patron's Advisory Council.[14]
Awards and honours
In October 2003 Paul was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service as Chair of the Commonwealth Bali Interagency Taskforce in the development of the Commonwealth's response in support of the victims of the bombings which occurred in Bali on 12 October 2002.[15] In June 2011 Paul was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public sector leadership in key policy and program implementation, particularly through driving reform in education, employment and workplace.[16] In the same year Paul was named as Federal Government Leader of the Year.[17] In September 2024 Paul was awarded the Academy Medal by the Australian Academy of Science for advancing the cause of science and technology in Australia by means other than research.[18]
