Michael Schwager

POLICY DESIGN JUROR

As Director General since 2018, Michael has led IP Australia on a customer-focused, digital-first strategy. As well as seeing unprecedented growth in IP rights during the pandemic, IP Australia has been a test bed of public sector innovation and digital transformation.

Michael’s government career across industry, innovation and science policy has included responsibility for implementing innovation programs including the $3B R&D tax incentive; developing med-tech, pharma-bio, small business and industry policy; attracting foreign investment into Australian high-tech industries; leading trade and multilateral negotiations in food, agriculture and energy.

From 2012 to 2015, Michael was Minister-Counsellor (Industry, Science and Education) at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.  He also spent five years in Parliament House as a researcher and speechwriter, and two years as an auditor for a large multinational accounting firm.

Michael has a Bachelor of Economics and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.