Stuart Smith

Stuart Smith is passionate about the regulation of Australia's offshore energy sector and how it can support the emergence of new technologies like renewables.

Stuart holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Western Australian and a Graduate Diploma in Economics from the Australian National University. He is a graduate of the Company Directors Course from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Executive Fellow with the Australia and New Zealand School of Government. In September 2014 Stuart was appointed CEO of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). Since that time, NOPSEMA has grown to become Australia’s independent regulator of offshore safety, well integrity and environmental management for offshore energy facilities around Australia including oil, gas and renewables. He also serves on Boards such as the Institute of Public Administration Australia (WA), FORM and the Management Committee of the International Regulators Forum.

Prior to these roles, Stuart spent six years as Director General for the Department of Fisheries in Western Australia (WA) with responsibilities for managing aquatic resources in federal and state waters. Stuart also worked as Acting Director General and Deputy Director General with the Department of Industry and Resources (WA). In these roles, he had responsibility for facilitating international trade and investment, negotiating major state development projects, and regulating the resources sector, including onshore and offshore energy safety and environmental management. Before joining the WA Public Service, Stuart spent 14 years with the Australian Public Service in Canberra, Melbourne, and Perth. During this period, he held industry development and regulatory roles including positions with the Industry portfolio and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.