On 10 February 2024, the Minister for Skills and Training, The Hon. Brendan O’Connor MP, announced the appointment of Professor Barney Glover AO FRSN FTSE, the current Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University (WSU), as the new Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia.

The role of Jobs and Skills Australia, a statutory authority established in 2022 attached to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, is to advise and assist the Australian Government and other stakeholders in decision-making on the current, emerging, and future skills and workforce needs of the Australian economy, including the specific needs of regional, rural and remote Australia, and the development of new industries and technologies.

In congratulating Professor Glover on his appointment, Mr O’Connor commented that his “distinguished academic leadership and extensive experience made [him] eminently qualified for the role.” Professor Glover will commence a five-year term commencing in April 2024.

Professor Glover was appointed Vice-Chancellor of WSU in 2014 and announced in December 2023 that he would not be seeking a further term in the role. During his time at Western Sydney, Professor Glover led the establishment of a high-rise campus in Parramatta, boosted the university’s research outputs and rankings, increased student numbers, and substantially reshaped the university’s engagement with Western Sydney’s communities. Most recently, he has been an influential member of the Australian Government’s review of universities, known as the “Accord”, the final report from which is due to be released in February 2024. Previously, he has served as chair of the peak university body Universities Australia, chair of the Innovative Research Universities group, and as chair of Rare Voices Australia — a not-for-profit organisation established to advocate for Australians living with a rare disease.

Prior to his WSU appointment, Professor Glover, a mathematician by training, served as Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University (2009–2014), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Newcastle (2006–2009), and as Pro Vice-Chancellor (R&D) at Curtin University. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2019 for “distinguished service to tertiary education, to professional associations, and to cultural organisations”, a Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales in 2017, and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering in 2016.

The Council of the Royal Society of New South Wales extends its warmest congratulations to Professor Barney Glover on his new appointment.