Cath Patterson

Cath joined Defence in December 2025 as the Associate Secretary.

The Associate Secretary is responsible for integrating the work of different parts of the Defence Organisation to enable more effective and efficient outcomes, particularly in the areas of enterprise transformation and prioritisation.

Prior to joining Defence, Cath was for 4 years the Deputy Secretary of Budget Group at the Department of Finance where she oversaw policy and financial advice on government expenditure and non-taxation revenue matters.

Cath has also served as Deputy Secretary Strategy and Law Enforcement at the Department of Home Affairs and acting Deputy Secretary, Social Policy and First Assistant Secretary, National Security Division at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. For 20 years, Cath worked for the Department of Health in a range of roles including 6 years as Minister Counsellor (Health) with the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Geneva.