Stephanie Smith

Stephanie Smith is Australia's Trade and Investment Commissioner and head of education for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Based in Shanghai, she leads an experienced team of education specialists to promote Australia’s education and training sector and help businesses expand their operations in the region.

Stephanie has held a diverse range of positions at Austrade and brings extensive expertise in international trade and investment. Her previous appointments include State Director for the Northern Territory and Global Engagement Manager specialising in agribusiness. Most recently she was working at Australia's Parliament House as the representative for Austrade and Tourism Australia in the office of Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism.

Before joining Austrade, Stephanie spent several years working in China as Head of Partnerships and Projects at the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. Stephanie has previously held legal and financial roles at Queensland Treasury and has corporate governance experience working as a company secretary.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Bachelor of International Relations (Business) from Bond University. She studied international and Chinese law at Fudan University in Shanghai and is admitted as a lawyer in Australia. Stephanie is also a university guest lecturer on the topic of free trade agreements and the international political economy. In 2024, Stephanie won ‘Overall Young Leader’ at the Australian Financial Review’s Women in Leadership Awards.