Background
Varghese was born in Kenya to Nasrani parents from Kerala, India.
Varghese was born in Kenya to Nasrani parents from Kerala, India.
He studied history and graduated from the University of Queensland.
He announced in November 2015 that he would leave the position in July 2016 to become the chancellor of the University of Queensland. He emigrated to Australia as a child in 1964. with a university medal. From 2004 to 2009, he was Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, an Australian government intelligence agency which reports directly to the Prime Minister.
Prior to this he was the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, then Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Immediately prior to his appointment as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Varghese served as Australia"s High Commissioner to India, with concurrent accreditation to Bhutan, between August 2009 and October 2012. Varghese has also served overseas in Tokyo (1994), Washington (1986-1988) and Vienna (1980-1983).
When the Abbott Government took office in September 2013, Varghese had to oversee the integration of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with Australian Agency for International Development. lieutenant was announced on 24 November 2015 that he would be stepping down from the position in July 2016 to take on an appointment as chancellor of the University of Queensland.
Varghese is married and has an adult son.
In 2010, Varghese was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration, particularly in leading reform in the Australian intelligence community and as an adviser in the areas of foreign policy and international security. Varghese was conferred with a Doctor of Letters honoris causa by the University of Queensland in July 2013 in recognition of his distinguished service to diplomacy and Australian Public Service.
