The department of immigration has appointed a new secretary who started his career in the department of defence and went on to develop strategic defence policies in recent years after having roles in foreign affairs and intelligence over a career spanning some 27-years.

Both the Prime Minister and Immigration Minister have emphasised that Michael Pezzullo’s defence and intelligence experience are essential for the department given its increasing focus on border protection.

Michael Pezzullo, the current CEO of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and former labour foreign minister, Gareth Evan’s staffer, will take over the office of the secretary of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, from October 13.

"He has extensive experience in the public sector, predominantly in the Department of Defence in strategic policy and intelligence roles," Prime Minister Abbott said in a statement.

Mr Pezzullo will replace Martin Bowles, who was recently appointed Health Department secretary. Martin Bowles held the appointment as the DIBP secretary for about a year.

'Having worked closely with Mr Pezzullo in delivering the government's border protection reforms, and more recently on enforcing increased national security measures at the border, I welcome today's announcement,' said Mr Morrison in a statement.

MR Pezzullo joined the Department of Defence as a graduate in 1987. In 1992 he transferred to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, where he worked in the International Division. In 1993 he joined the staff of then Labour Foreign Minister, Gareth Evans QC, and remained in Parliament House until December 2001. In February 2002, he re-joined the Department of Defence, and in 2006 was promoted to the position of Deputy Secretary Strategy in that department. Between February 2008 and May 2009 he led the Defence White Paper team and was principal author of the 2009 Defence White Paper.

In July 2009 Mr Pezzullo joined the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service as chief operating officer, a role which he continued in until September 2012. He was promoted to acting chief executive over the period September 2012 to February 2013 and on 15 February 2013 was employed as the substantive CEO.

Earlier this year, Mr Pezzullo's brother, Fabio, escaped a criminal conviction after he confessed to lying to an inquiry investigating corruption at Sydney airport. In a note to staff regarding the case involving his brother, Mr Pezzullo later said: "From the outset, I asked and expected to be treated as a detached family member with no official rights, interests or powers in the matter."