The road ahead: understanding government reforms in aged care
Sonja Stewart joined the Department of Health and Aged Care in December 2024 as the Deputy Secretary of the Ageing and Aged Care Group.
Sonja is a Yuin woman with extensive senior leadership experience across State and Commonwealth governments including as Deputy Secretary at the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet and as Deputy Commissioner of the NSW Public Service Commission. Her more recent roles include CEO of the Law Society of NSW and CEO of Arrilla Indigenous Consulting.
Sonja has a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from the University of NSW and the University of Alberta, Canada. Sonja has also completed the Advanced Management Program at Columbia University, New York. As a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors she has been a Director and Chair of Government, Academic and Not for Profit Boards for over 20 years, including Chairperson of the Goodes O’Loughlin Foundation – which aims to improve educational outcomes of Aboriginal children and young people.
Ageing Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, waters and community. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present.