Mark Paterson gained a Bachelor of Business from the South Australian Institute of Technology, having studied at four different universities around Australia but found trouble when seeking recognition for prior learning, which he saw as a failure of Australia's higher education system.
[3] Paterson was the Director General of the NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services from June 2011.
[4][5] His dismissal from the role, and abolition of the Department was reported on Tuesday 7 April 2015[6][7] Paterson commenced as Commissioner, Regulatory Operations, of Australian Skills Quality Authority on 30 May 2016.
This includes the initial assessment of regulatory matters, ASQA’s extensive audit program and the growing focus on investigations and enforcement action in serious cases.
Paterson was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2007 for service to business and industry through policy development and economic research.