Australian Border Force Assistant Commissioner South, James Watson has an extensive background in law enforcement and defence over a span of almost 30 years. He is admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor in Victoria, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory. He was general counsel for the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. He has also served as a permanent and reserve member of the Australian Army Legal Corps. Operational roles with the Australian Army have taken Assistant Commissioner Watson on deployments to the Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and PNG. He has also deployed to Afghanistan with the United States Department of Defense and Department of State. Assistant Commissioner Watson formally studied at the University of Melbourne completing a Bachelor of Laws, Graduate Diploma of Military Law and a Masters of Law.
In July 2014, Assistant Commissioner Watson was the foundational Regional Commander for Central Region (NT/SA). He has also undertaken leadership roles within the ABF in Detention, Field Compliance and Removal Operations and was the Regional Commander for Victoria/Tasmania.
From 2018 to 2021 Assistant Commissioner Watson was seconded to the Department of Home Affairs where he undertook the role of Regional Director, Pacific. This role is based out of the High Commission in Wellington New Zealand.
In May 2021, Assistant Commissioner Watson returned to Melbourne where he took up his a role as Commander Maritime and Enforcement South.
In February 2022, Assistant Commissioner Watson was appointed to the Assistant Commissioner South role. Responsibilities encompasses Maritime and Enforcement South; Aviation and Regional Operations South; Operations South Australia and being the Capability Lead for the Enforcement and Immigration Compliance Capability functions.
Assistant Commissioner Watson is married with four adult children. He is an avid AFL follower, and enjoys running and hiking.