General Angus J Campbell AO DSC joined the Champions of Change Founding Group in 2015
General Angus Campbell joined the Australian Army in 1981, graduating from the Royal Military College – Duntroon in 1984. He was assigned to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and initially served as a platoon commander in the 3rd Battalion (Parachute), The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR).
He then served in troop and squadron command appointments within the Special Air Service Regiment. In 2001 he was appointed the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR). While in command, the battalion group deployed to East Timor, as a component of the United Nations Transitional Administration East Timor.
General Campbell has also served in a range of staff appointments including as Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of Army, as a strategic policy officer in Army Headquarters, an instructor at the Australian Command and Staff College and as Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force.
In late 2005, he joined the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet as a First Assistant Secretary to head the Office of National Security and was subsequently promoted to Deputy Secretary and appointed to the position of Deputy National Security Adviser. In these roles he was responsible for the preparation of advice to the Prime Minister on national security matters and coordinating the development of whole-of-government national security policy.
Upon his return to the Australian Defence Force in early 2010 he was appointed to the rank of Major General and led the Military Strategic Commitments staff in Defence headquarters until January 2011, when he assumed command of Australian forces deployed in the Middle East Area of Operations. He subsequently served as Deputy Chief of Army from February 2012 to September 2013, when he was promoted to Lieutenant General to command the Joint Agency Task Force responsible for the implementation of Operation Sovereign Borders.
On 16 May 2015, he was appointed Chief of the Australian Army. General Campbell was subsequently promoted and appointed to command of the Australian Defence Force on 7 July 2018.
General Campbell holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Philosophy in International Relations from Cambridge University and he is a graduate of the Australian Army Command and Staff College.
General Campbell’s hobbies include hiking, distance running, military history and gardening. He is married to Stephanie and they have two adult children.
The Chief of the Defence Force has primary responsibility for the command of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). This role arises directly from section 10 of the Defence Act 1903, whereby the Chief of the Defence Force commands the ADF under direction of the Minister.
The Chief of the Defence Force is also the principal military adviser to the Minister and provides advice on matters that relate to military activity, including military operations.
Updates from the Founding Group
Champions of Change Founding Group
Angus Campbell is a Member of the Champions of Change Founding Group. The Founding Group was established in 2010 and comprises CEOs, Board Directors, Commonwealth Government Department Secretaries, University and Military leaders. Members of the Founding Group are committed to advance gender equality across their organisations and across the country. They focus on action in the areas of women’s representation in leadership, talent development, accountability and public advocacy.