In March 2014 his appointment as Ambassador to the French Republic, with concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Principality of Monaco was announced.

Promoted in 1985 to the Office of Security and Intelligence Coordination in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, he was subsequently foreign policy adviser to two Leaders of the Opposition.

[3] In December 1998, he was appointed Ambassador to Sweden with non-resident accreditation to Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

[3] In February 1999, he made headlines as Australia's and the world's first openly gay ambassador when he formally presented his partner Peter Stephens to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

[8] In December 2007, he led Australia's delegation to the International Criminal Court's Assembly of State Parties Conference at the UN in New York.

'[13] Towards the end of his posting in Paris, the French State appointed Brady as a Commandeur of the Legion of Honour for his outstanding leadership of the bilateral relationship, only the second Australian civilian to receive the level of award after Sir Ninian Stephen, a former Governor-General.

[14][15] After completing his posting Brady has served on several boards and governing councils, including those for the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, National Gallery of Australia and Bangarra Dance Theatre.