Elizabeth Neville has been appointed the Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies for a five-year term.
Neville brings experience across multiple government and non-government agencies and the legal sector to the role at AIFS, the Australian Government’s key research advisory agency in the area of family wellbeing. It’s an independent statutory authority established in 1980 under the Family Law Act 1975.
Neville’s background is in disability, aged care and community services, and she has qualifications in social work, education and evaluation.
She has previously worked in management roles in service delivery and peak body organisations in the not for profit sector. Neville has also worked as a senior manager in provision of government advisory services. Before joining AIFS, she was a senior executive with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Neville has been acting in the position of Director at AIFS since June 2023.
Announcing Neville’s appointment, the Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said Neville’s experience will ensure the AIFS continues to conduct high-quality, impartial research to inform Australia’s policies and programs.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Neville into the role of Director of AIFS,” Rishworth said.
“Ms Neville will continue to bring valuable policy and operational experience to the role, particularly as the former Head of the Children’s Taskforce in the National Disability and Insurance Agency.”
“Our Government recognises the value of the work AIFS does to support the family services sector, and will continue to work closely with Ms Neville to ensure AIFS’ research, evaluation and knowledge translation supports the government to address the major forces, trends and transitions that will impact Australian families over coming decades.”
“Under Ms Neville’s leadership, AIFS will continue to deliver critical research and insights into the wellbeing of Australian families, informing government policy and promoting evidence-based practices in the family services sector,” Rishworth said.