Michelle Wade

Michelle Wade is a highly experienced international trade official and has held senior diplomatic postings for the Australian government in Italy, Malaysia and Spain. Michelle has managed Victorian government operations and promotion of trade and investment across South Asia since September 2017. Her territory includes three of Victoria’s top ten education markets being India, Sri Lanka and Nepal and is responsible for the in-market delivery of Victoria’s India Strategy. During Covid-19, Michelle managed the Victorian government’s $45 million International Student Emergency Relief Fund, the largest support for foreign students by any government in Australia, which funded welfare payments and food aid to over 30,000 international students. Michelle’s early career was in classical music management with Sydney Symphony and Queensland Symphony Orchestras and she has also been on the board of Musica Viva Australia, Australia's leading provider of music education in schools. Michelle has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Queensland and Postgraduate qualifications in Applied Law (UQ) and Business Communications (QUT) and speaks Spanish and Italian. Michelle is married with three young adult children, some who are engaged in tertiary study in Victoria. She grew up in the small town of Woolgoolga, home to Australia's first Sikh community.