The Victorian Government has appointed Dr Collette Burke as its first Chief Engineer, to help oversee the state's infrastructure pipeline and establish a registration system for engineers. 

Dr Burke will provide expert advice to the Andrews Government on major project design and engineering.

She has experience in both the private and public sectors, having been appointed Director to the VicTrack Board in 2015, and currently serving as the Managing Director of engineering consulting firm Exner Group.

Dr Burke is also a former National Director of the National Association of Women in Construction.

The new Chief Engineer role is based within the Office of Projects Victoria; a new expert body established by the Labor Government to oversee the planning and delivery of Victoria's pipeline of major infrastructure projects, and provide advice to the Government when developing and delivering new projects.

Dr Burke will also help the Government establish a registration system for engineers, Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury and Finance Daniel Mulino says. 

"Victoria is home to a huge engineering workforce, and Dr Burke will be a terrific industry leader," he says. 

"She will play a critical role in implementing a registration scheme for Victoria's engineers - something the industry has long called for, and this government will deliver." 

The ACT Government has also announced plans to appoint a Chief Engineer.