Michael Schwager is ANU’s Chief Operating Officer. Michael commenced at the University in March 2026, on secondment from the Australian Public Service.
Over the previous seven years, as Director General of Australia’s Patents and Trademark office (IP Australia), Michael provided vision and leadership, reforming and growing a high-performing, internationally integrated agency, focussed on customer service and digital delivery, with an engaged, inclusive, and highly specialised workforce. Under his leadership, IP Australia was recognised internationally for innovation and inclusion, including being listed in 2025 as the world’s third most innovative IP office and appearing on the Diversity Council of Australia’s Inclusive Employers List in 2024, 2025 and 2026, and receiving the Commonwealth Excellence in Risk Management Award (Enterprise-wide) in 2023.
Michael brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in the APS across innovation, industry, science, investment and education policy and program delivery. His career has included diplomatic service in Washington DC, where he worked closely with the science and education sectors in the United States and Canada, and supported collaboration between Australian institutions and North American partners – including the ANU North America Liaison Office based in Washington. He also spent a period supporting CSIRO as acting Chief Operating Officer in 2018.
He is a former accountant and auditor, a graduate of the University of Sydney, and a proud alumnus of Wee Waa Central School.
With a Bachelor of Economics and being a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Michael’s experience across organisational reform, governance and operational leadership in complex public sector environments positions him well to lead the University’s Services Portfolio.
Reporting business units
