Matt Buckley

Vice Admiral Matthew Paul Buckley, (born February 1972)

Naval career Buckley joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1990 as a maritime warfare officer, graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1992. In 1996 he specialised as a submariner at HMAS Stirling, serving on Oberon-class submarines based out of Fleet Base East. Between November 2016 and 2017 he attended the Australian Defence College, completing the Defence and Strategic Studies Course, where he was awarded the Secretary – Chief of Defence Force Award. On 24 January 2025 he was appointed the Deputy Chief of Navy.

Buckley was promoted to vice admiral and appointed Chief of Navy in July 2026.

Personal life Buckley is married to Ingrid, and the couple have three sons. He has interests in trail running, mountain biking and surfing. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Strategy and Policy from the University of New South Wales, and a Masters of International Relations from Deakin University.