After a short stint studying agricultural science at UWA, Stuart Smith shifted focus to graduate in economics in 1988. These studies led Mr Smith toward a career in industry development and regulation with the Australian and WA public services and his current role as Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), Australia’s offshore energy regulator.

As CEO of NOPSEMA Mr Smith aims to protect lives and the environment.

“The stakes are high if something goes wrong on an offshore facility. People can be seriously injured or die and the environmental impacts can be disastrous,” Mr Smith said.

“My job is to make sure the industry is well regulated and everything is being done to prevent a major incident.”

Since being appointed CEO in 2014, the role has evolved with new technologies like floating LNG entering the market, older assets moving into the decommissioning phase and additional responsibilities for the regulation of offshore activities like renewables.

The performance of industry has always piqued Mr Smith’s career interests, whether pursuing policies to support industry development or measures to regulate the behaviour of companies.

Following graduation, Mr Smith moved to Canberra and joined the Bureau of Industry Economics within the Department of Industry, Tourism and Commerce before working with agencies such as the Anti-Dumping Authority and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

His career path saw him return to Perth to take up the role of Deputy Director General with the WA Department of Industry and Resources, leading the department’s regulatory group as the State moved into a sustained resources boom.

“Studying economics at UWA gave me an understanding of how markets work, what drives industry, what leads to market failures and when regulation can improve outcomes."

Mr Stuart Smith

Mr Smith moved to the Department of Fisheries as Director General in 2008 to deal with a new set of regulatory and industry development challenges associated with commercial and recreational fishing, marine reserves, biosecurity and aquaculture, an experience which proved vital when he returned to resources sector regulation with his current role at NOPSEMA. 

Mr Smith has maintained a close connection with UWA and credits his degree for providing a strong foundation throughout his illustrious career. 

He has served on UWA related industry advisory committees for the WA Energy Research Alliance, the WA Marine Science Institute, the UWA Oceans Graduate School Industry Advisory Panel and the Management Committee that established UWA’s Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre.

“Studying economics at UWA gave me an understanding of how markets work, what drives industry, what leads to market failures and when regulation can improve outcomes,” Mr Smith said.

“These insights have stayed with me throughout my career and I’ve applied them in diverse industry roles.”

“My daughter is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Commerce at UWA and I am hoping her degree too will help shape her future professional opportunities.”

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