Businesswoman, journalist and ex-magazine editor Ita Buttrose appears likely to be named the new chair of the ABC.
The appointment of the 77-year-old would bring to close a troubled period for the public broadcaster following the rancorous exits six months ago of then-chair Justin Milne and managing director Michelle Guthrie.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison described Ms Buttrose as an "extraordinary Australian".
"There have been few people more than Ita that I think have lifted the standards of journalism in this country," he told ABC News on Monday.
"That says a lot about her character and her abilities."
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield is expected to take her name to cabinet for approval this week.
His spokesman said no decision had yet been taken but the public could expect an announcement "in due course".
If Ms Buttrose was confirmed the 2013 Australian of the Year would be the second woman to head the ABC since Dame Leonie Kramer in the early 1980s.
While the former editor of Cleo and Australian Women's Weekly magazines was apparently not on the shortlist of contenders for the position the government is able to make its own nomination.
The shortlist is understood to include four men including former Fairfax Media chief executive Greg Hywood, former News Corp chief executive Kim Williams, Film Victoria president Ian Robertson and Danny Gilbert, the managing partner of law firm Gilbert + Tobin.
"I can confirm the independent recommendations did not include a female candidate. None at all," Mr Morrison told ABC radio, adding he was surprised.,
But the fact Ms Buttrose could leapfrog the recommendations has raised the ire of Paul Barry, host of ABC's Media Watch.
"Seriously? Is the government really going to ignore the selection panel's advice AGAIN and appoint Ita Buttrose to ABC chair, when she's not even on the short list," he tweeted.
