Our structure

View the current organisational structure.

Our divisions and Executive Leadership Team

Each division is represented on the department's Executive Leadership Team (ELT), which provides strategic direction and oversight of outcomes, financial performance and good governance of the department.

Sharon Schimming

Director-General

Sharon has more than 30 years' experience in education, with 20 years of Principalship, Regional Director of North Queensland, Deputy Director-General of Early Childhood and Educational Improvement, and most recently Associate Director-General, Early Childhood and State Schools.

As Director-General, Sharon provides strategic leadership in the development and implementation of statewide initiatives that improve outcomes for Queensland children from early childhood through to high school, including initiatives that support First Nations students. She also represents the department on national and state boards and government working parties, helping to shape policy and advance priorities for children and young people.

Kirsten Herring

Deputy Director-General, Arts Queensland

Kirsten is responsible for the department's investment in arts infrastructure, arts organisations, grant programs and development of arts policy. This includes the management of the state's $1 billion in arts and cultural assets, including the Queensland Cultural Centre, Festival House, Judith Wright Arts Centre and Bulmba-ja in Cairns. Her role also oversees $60 million investment in 80 arts and cultural organisations across the state, as well as the funding of creative development activities, arts projects and touring activities across Queensland. Kirsten provides governance, budget and Ministerial liaison support to the state's 5 arts statutory bodies and 4 arts government-owned companies.

Kirsten holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Business Administration and has experience working across economic development, tourism and major events. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Kirsten was awarded a Public Sector Medal in 2018 in recognition of her contributions to arts policy and cultural tourism.

Tania Porter

Deputy Director-General, Early Childhood, Regulation and Communication

As Deputy Director-General for Early Childhood, Regulation and Communication, Tania oversees the Early Childhood Regulatory Authority, regulating over 3,300 services to safeguard children's health, safety and wellbeing. She leads national early childhood policy reforms to improve outcomes for Queensland children and families.

Tania leads the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) Secretariat responsibilities, ensuring high accreditation standards and funding eligibility for non-state schools. She heads the International Quality Schools unit, overseeing approvals for schools enrolling overseas students and managing international student exchange programs. Additionally, she ensures compliance with legislative requirements for Queensland Home Education.

Tania leads the department's communication and events, fostering engagement with school staff, families and the community. Her initiatives include award-winning state school events and innovative programs that support young learners to thrive.

Stacie Hansel

Deputy Director-General, State Schools Strategy

Stacie is an experienced and effective education leader who has served the Queensland state school system as a teacher, principal and system leader since 1996. Stacie provides visionary, values-based leadership and management to inspire equity, excellence and continuous improvement in education delivery across Queensland.

Stacie leads the State Schools Strategy division, which supports 1,266 Queensland state schools, and delivers innovative and effective educational reforms in line with local expertise and world-leading practice to ensure the success of every student and to support our state schools as employers of choice within the teaching profession.

Kathleen Forrester

Deputy Director-General, Strategic Policy and External Relations

Kathleen is a senior executive with extensive experience leading policy development, funding reform and intergovernmental negotiations across education, health and human services. She has held executive roles in the Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian Governments, as well as in the private sector.

As Deputy-Director General, Strategic Policy and External Relations division, Kathleen leads work spanning strategic policy, intergovernmental relations, performance, legislation, monitoring, reporting and governance functions for schooling at a whole-of-government and national level. Her division supports accountable and transparent administration of funding for non-state schools and community organisations.

Gary Austen

Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services

Gary is an experienced system, education and school leader with more than 30 years' experience across the department. Gary is known for bringing a sense of optimism and confidence to the teams he leads. He is a collaborative leader who enables the delivery of quality outcomes through the practical connection between a strong moral purpose for public education, clear strategy and enactment through to the classroom.

As Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services, Gary provides leadership and oversight for the department's human resources strategy, finance, procurement and facilities, legal services and internal audit.

Nick Seeley

Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure Services

Nick's almost 40 years' public sector experience crosses areas including education, justice, First Nations, training, industrial relations and racing. With 15 years as Executive Director in the Department of Education, Nick is committed to delivering services that achieve the department's vision to realise the potential of every student.

Nick leads the Infrastructure Services division, which plans and accounts for population growth—and responds to the needs of local communities. Nick is responsible for driving sustainable investment to optimise, renew and maintain educational infrastructure while providing suitable, safe and contemporary learning environments that support a focus on quality teaching and learning.

Leanne Nixon

Deputy Director-General, School and Regional Operations and Performance

Leanne is a senior executive with more than 35 years of dedicated service in the public sector, having held key executive leadership roles across the New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Queensland education systems. Throughout her career, she has driven transformative changes across some of Australia's largest and most complex systems. Her strategic oversight has significantly impacted operations and risk management in diverse environments, particularly in remote and disadvantaged communities.

Leanne leads the School and Regional Operations and Performance division, which implements high-impact projects that enhance student outcomes and wellbeing services. The division is also focused on place-based and system initiatives informed by regional performance assessments. The division's work strengthens alignment between regional offices and central administration, ensuring that the needs of school communities are effectively addressed to lift learning outcomes for children.

Darrin Bond

Deputy Director-General, Digital Innovation

Darrin has close to 40 years' experience in government, including an extensive background in senior executive roles. He is a passionate public service leader and innovator who has dedicated his professional career to improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals, families and communities.

Darrin has held a number of senior digital roles including Chief Information Officer of Queensland Treasury and the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.

As Deputy Director-General of Digital Innovation, Darrin leads the strategic integration of user-centred digital solutions across the department. With a commitment to service excellence and the safe adoption of emerging technologies, the division modernises core systems and delivers digital tools that support teaching and learning.

Duncan Anson

Assistant Director-General, Finance, Procurement and Facilities, Chief Finance Officer

Duncan has over 25 years' experience in the Queensland public sector, is a fellow member of CPA Australia, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting).

Duncan is responsible for managing the department's finance, procurement and facilities strategy, functions and systems. Through his delegated responsibilities under section 77 of the Financial Accountability Act 2009 (Qld), Duncan provides strategic advice to the Director-General on financial resource management, budget management, effectiveness of financial systems, financial risks and sustainability.

More information about our current executives and our organisational structure is available.

Governance groups

Our governance groups provide assurance through oversight and management of the department's priorities and resources, ensuring good decision making, creating opportunity, managing risk and driving performance to achieve our purpose.

Further information about the key governance committees is available at appendix A. Specific information on the department's Audit and Risk Management Committee is available.

Governance groups framework