John McCarthy AO is currently a Senior Adviser to Asialink, a Senior Adviser to Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Tokyo, a member of the Board of the Australian India Institute at Melbourne University and Vice-Chancellor's fellow at Melbourne University.

John was formerly High Commissioner to India (2004-2009); Ambassador to Japan (2001-2004); Ambassador to Indonesia (1997-2001); Ambassador to the United States (1995-1997); Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra (1994-1995); Ambassador to Thailand (1992-1994); Chief Legal Officer (1990-1992); Minister for Congressional Affairs in Washington (1987-1989); Ambassador to Mexico (1985-1987); and Ambassador to Vietnam (1981-1983). During his service, John also served in Damascus, Baghdad and Vientiane.

Before joining the Foreign Service, John worked with a New York Law Firm of Shearman & Sterling from 1966 to 1967 and practiced law in London from 1965 to 1966. He is a barrister-at-law, and received a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws Degree at Cambridge University. John is an officer of the Order of Australia, a recipient of the Centenary Medal and has honorary doctorates from Murdoch University and Griffith University.