The appointment of Dr Emma Cassar PSM as a new Secretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) in Victoria is also a great milestone in the leadership within the Australian public service. In a move announced by Premier Jacinta Allan in October 2025, Dr Cassar is set to head one of the most urgent government departments in Victoria at a time when the community is undergoing a reform of community safety, such as bail reforms, youth justice response, and anti-hate legislation.
From Forensic Psychologist to Senior Public Servant
The path of Dr Cassar to the top of the justice system in Victoria has spanned over 25 years in government, the private sector, and non-profit organisations. She started her illustrious career in 1999 as a forensic psychologist with Corrections Victoria, since she had completed her Doctorate in Forensic Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Early in her career, she continued to climb up the hierarchy ladder, becoming the General Manager of a number of male and female prisons throughout Victoria and attained different executive positions.
She had also worked in important positions outside the government. Between 2010 and 2011, she worked as CEO of Open Family Australia, then as a State Director of Mission Australia between 2011 and 2013. In 2013, Dr Cassar transitioned to the private sector, serving as Business Development Director at Serco Australia between 2013 and 2014, then as a Partner and National Lead of Justice and Security at KPMG between 2014 and 2018.
Leading Victoria Through the Pandemic
In June 2018, Dr Cassar rejoined the Victorian public service as Commissioner of Corrections Victoria, leading the prison system of the state in one of the most difficult stages. Nevertheless, her name was in the news in October 2020 when she was appointed as a COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria Commissioner, which would mark a pivotal point in her career.
Relaxing the Victorian compulsory pandemic quarantine, Commissioner Dr Cassar was at the forefront of resetting the COVID-19 quarantine program in one of the most complicated periods in the history of the people’s health. Her leadership style supported the safety of residents but ensured the utmost standards of infection prevention and control. In four months of her leadership, there was no reported incidence of COVID-19 spreading out of the quarantine centres to the rest of the population.
One of the innovative ideas of Dr Cassar was the introduction of air quality management in hotel premises as the pioneer to control the risks of airborne transmission. Her staff were able to overcome remarkable difficulties, such as the need to repatriate more than a thousand individuals in Afghanistan and the need to organise quarantine of the Australian Open tennis tournament during the pandemic.
Dr Cassar was given the Public Service Medal (PSM) in 2024 as a result of her incredible work in the COVID-19 response in Victoria, honouring her outstanding work in the service of the state and in keeping the community safe.
Commonwealth Service and Immigration Leadership
After her success in the management of the pandemic response in Victoria, Dr Cassar assumed a national role after being appointed as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in March 2023, in the role of Deputy Secretary of Social Policy and Intergovernmental Relations at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. She was seconded to the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs as Associate Secretary, Immigration, only a year later, in March 2024.
Dr Cassar worked in this position in policy, program management, service delivery functions for the temporary and permanent migration, refugee and humanitarian programs, immigration compliance, and citizenship programs of Australia. She was the Director of the immigration and citizenship program of Australia during the year 2024, and she managed one of the largest portfolios in the federal government.
In early 2024, Dr Cassar gave evidence at Senate estimates hearings, where she was questioned on immigration policy, monitoring of cases and the process of removal. Nevertheless, she ended her secondment in March 2025, leaving the Department of Home Affairs to go home to Victoria after about 11 months in the job.
A Historic Appointment for Gender Equality
The story of Dr Cassar becoming the DJCS Secretary is not only a career milestone but also a gender equality milestone in the state of Victoria in terms of serving the state. For the first time, women make up half of the departmental secretaries in Victoria. Premier Jacinta Allan also spoke of the significance of this success in addition to noting the qualifications that Dr Cassar brings to the position: “Community safety is our number one priority, and I congratulate Emma on her appointment–I know that her leadership and operation, as well as policy experience, will guide the Department.”
Leading Community Safety Initiatives
Now, as the Secretary of DJCS, Dr Cassar manages the department with the most important duties in guiding the Victorian Government and performing community safety programs. Her history in corrections, justice policy, and operational management positions her uniquely to address the current concerns of Victoria, such as bail reforms, youth justice reactions, and implementation of anti-hate laws.
Dr Cassar has a background in forensic mental health, prison operations, business strategy, and policy development, which makes her uniquely qualified to handle the intricacies of the justice and community safety environment in Victoria. Her unblemished reputation in handling emergencies, creative problem-solving, and a sense of duty to serve the people give her the right character to make it through the difficult times.
Career Highlights and Recognition
During her career, Dr Cassar has been able to show flexibility and quality performance in the various positions. Looking at her LinkedIn profile, there is extensive career experience that involves working with the Department of Justice, Myndscape Consulting, and other senior leadership positions. She has worked on several boards and helped in the formulation of major policies in the areas of justice and security.
Not only her leadership in the pandemic response, but also her uncompromising adherence to the principles of integrity, accountability, and responsiveness were reflected in the Public Service Medal that Dr Cassar received in 2024. The fact that she changed the COVID-19 quarantine program of Victoria into a very competent, efficient and caring organisation showed that she was able to lead complicated operations and, at the same time, keep in mind the human welfare.
Looking Ahead
With Victoria still trying to tackle the issue of community safety and introduce justice reforms, Dr Emma Cassar PSM possesses the necessary experience, leadership skills, and insights into the nature of the work and policy aspects of both justice and community safety. Her appointment is an indication that the Victorian Government is determined to have expert leadership in handling some of the most pressing issues that the state is facing.
The case of Dr Cassar, as a forensic psychologist, from one of the most senior Victorian-based public servants, portrays the significance of a variety of career experiences in the creation of well-rounded leaders. Her clinical background, operational management experience, experience in the private sector, and her policy-level understanding put her in a position to guide DJCS through the intricate problems that lie ahead, while still keeping the community safety, justice reform, and service excellence at her core.
