Craig Maclachlan is the Deputy Secretary, International Security, Legal and Consular Group, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Mr Maclachlan has extensive experience in foreign policy, national security and intelligence analysis.

Prior to his current role, he served as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Defence, Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2015 to 2021). He was also the Senior International Adviser to the Prime Minister (2014 to 2015).

Mr Maclachlan was First Assistant Secretary and Principal Intelligence Adviser in the Department of Home Affairs (2019-2020).

From 2002 to 2014, he worked in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade including as First Assistant Secretary for Mainland Southeast Asia and Assistant Secretary ASEAN and Regional Issues Branch, and Assistant Secretary UN and International Organisations Branch.

He has served overseas as Deputy Ambassador to the European Union and NATO (2010 to 2013) and Counsellor and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva (2005 to 2008).

From 2003 to 2004 he worked in the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Mr Maclachlan has also held positions at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Australian Federal Police and the Office of National Assessments (now ONI).

He has a Bachelor of Asian Studies and a Master of Letters (East Asian Studies) from the Australian National University.