David Gavin
Assistant Secretary Compliance and Community Protection Policy Immigration Policy Group
Department of Home Affairs

Assistant Secretary Gavin leads the Compliance and Community Protection Policy Branch within the Immigration Policy Group, Department of Home Affairs.

Immigration Policy Group provides policy advice and develops frameworks for Australia’s immigration programs. The Immigration Policy Group contributes to the Department of Home Affairs mission to secure Australia’s economic prosperity and social unity, through the effective delivery of orderly and planned immigration programs, and the development of effective policies and legislation to support the immigration continuum and enhance community protection outcomes.

Having over 20 years of experience with Australia’s immigration program, David Gavin’s expertise includes immigration policy development, leading and managing Australia’s visa and citizenship programs, and whole-of-government collaboration by building trusted relationships with Australian Government departments, and non-government and international partners.

Assistant Secretary Gavin has represented the Australian Government internationally through diplomatic postings as a Senior Migration Officer at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi and as a Principal Migration Officer at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. 

Along with representing Australia as co-chair for the Bali Process Technical Experts Group on Returns and Reintegration, he leads reform to address temporary migrant worker exploitation and coordinates the portfolio’s contribution to the reform of Australia’s Administrative Appeals Tribunal.