Peter Costello's former chief of staff Phil Gaetjens has been appointed NSW Treasury Secretary.
His predecessor, Michael Schur, stepped down in April, one month after the new coalition government was elected and he was sent on indefinite leave.
"The Treasury Secretary's role is critical to the economic future of New South Wales, and we are fortunate to have someone of Mr Gaetjens' calibre accept the position," NSW Treasurer Mike Baird said on Wednesday.
"Mr Gaetjens is a career public servant who has worked at the forefront of some of the Australia's most important economic reforms at both state and federal level.
"His record of service under both Labor and coalition governments has earned respect across the political spectrum."
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Mr Gaetjens joined the public service as a research officer for the Bureau of Transport Economics in 1977 before being promoted to the Department of Transport.
He became a senior adviser to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in 1992 before a spell in South Australia.
In 1997, Mr Gaetjens became the then federal treasurer Peter Costello's chief of staff.
More recently he has served as a federal treasury chief adviser.
Earlier this year he was appointed Secretary of the GST Distribution Review, heading a secretariat reporting to Nick Greiner, John Brumby and Bruce Cart.
Mr Gaetjens takes over from acting treasury secretary Michael Lambert, within the next fortnight, Mr Baird said.
Mr Baird thanked Mr Lambert for his service but offered no detail about his future.
