Dr Lucas de Toca PSM is a medical doctor and public health expert who heads up the Global Health Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Prior to joining DFAT he was working as a First Assistant Secretary at Australia’s Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) where he led the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program. Lucas has been heavily involved in many aspects of Australia’s COVID-19 response, including the Primary Care and First Nations responses as well as the response in multicultural and rural communities.

Before the pandemic, he worked in the DoHAC’s First Nations Health Division, and previously served as Chief Health Officer at Miwatj Health, the regional Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Service for East Arnhem Land.

Lucas undertook his medical training at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain, with placements at the University of Sydney. He completed further post-graduate training at Harvard University, focusing on health systems and leadership in health and human rights.