John Walsh AO
Non-Executive Director
Appointment Term - 30 November 2020 – 29 November 2023
Independent Chair of the Dust Diseases Board
Member of the Board Audit and the Board Risk Committee
John spent over 20 years as a Partner in the Advisory practice of PwC, before retiring from full-time employment. John's major client work was in the areas of social policy and funding of accident compensation, health and disability services. His ability to contribute to social policy is assisted by his own disability, traumatic quadriplegia.
He has been statutory actuary to the NSW Lifetime Care and Support Authority, the NSW Motor Accidents Authority and the workers compensation insurance schemes of both NSW and South Australia. He has conducted major reviews of several of Australia and New Zealand’s accident compensation schemes and insurers.
John has advised the Commonwealth and NSW governments on future demand and funding requirements for disability services, homelessness services and Aboriginal disadvantage and in 2010 he was appointed to the Productivity Commission investigation which recommended and provided a blueprint for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
In 2001 he was named Australia's Actuary of the Year, and in 2011 received an AM and the Prime Minister's Award for outstanding service to the disability sector. In 2015 he was appointed Australia's Patron for the United Nations International Day of People with a Disability. In 2022 John was honoured as an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public health through leadership and advocacy roles.
John has an appointment as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney, and is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
