Rachel Hunter commenced as Director-General of the Department of Education, Training and the Arts on 18 September 2006. Ms Hunter previously held the position of Director-General of Justice and Attorney-General, a role she held from November 2003 when she was appointed to undertake a review of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ms Hunter is providing leadership to create a new organisation that capitalises on the strengths of the two former agencies of Education and the Arts and Training. There are many points at which these agencies already intersect, particularly in the areas of senior schooling and arts training. The Education and Training Reforms for the Future have resulted in unprecedented cooperation and collaboration between Education and the Arts and Training at both local and executive levels.

Prior to her appointment as CEO, Rachel began a 23 year association with the vocational, education and training sector in 1977, initially as a teacher then variously held management roles, including Institute Director. Most notably, Rachel was the Director of Queensland largest training provider - the Southbank Institute of TAFE between 1998 and 2000. Concurrently, Chair of TAFE Queensland, Rachel was the primary spokesperson for the public training provider.

Rachel Hunter's later role as Queensland's Public Service Commissioner from December 2000 until November 2003 involved a charter to lead the development of a highly professional public service in the areas of organisational and executive capability and performance, public service reform and governance.

During Rachel's tenure as Public Service Commissioner, and with the CEO Governance Committee's leadership, her Office developed and released "Realising the Vision" - a vision for the future governance of the Queensland Public Service based on the challenges it faced. She also led the development of the Public Service Charter. The Charter sets out the commitment that public servants make to the people of Queensland, their elected representatives and to their colleagues, to carry out their duties with the highest professional standards in order to bring about a fairer, sustainable and better future for all Queenslanders.

Throughout her 29 year career with the Queensland Public Service she has played a pivotal role in shaping the vocational, education and training system in this State and in leading reform in public service policy and institutions.