The Federal Government has appointed the first woman to lead a major Australian spy agency.

Key points: Rachel Noble will take over as the boss of the Australian Signals Directorate

Rachel Noble will take over as the boss of the Australian Signals Directorate She replaces Mike Burgess, who left to become the nation's spy chief at ASIO

She replaces Mike Burgess, who left to become the nation's spy chief at ASIO Ms Noble is currently the head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre

Rachel Noble will become the next director-general of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), which intercepts electronic communications from foreign countries.

She is currently the head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).

Ms Noble replaces Mike Burgess, who is now Australia's spy chief at the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

"Her appointment to this leadership role is a significant step forward for women in the national security sector and we congratulate her," Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said in a statement.

Ms Noble's promotion is the third major security appointment in recent months for the Federal Government, following the retirements of Australian Federal Police boss Andrew Colvin and former ASIO head Duncan Lewis.

The ACSC sits within ASD. Before joining the organisation, Ms Noble was a senior official at the Department of Home Affairs.

Her public sector experience also included stints at the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Immigration and Defence departments.

She was also previously deputy chief of facility at Pine Gap, the highly secretive defence facility in the Northern Territory.

"Ms Noble's deep experience in intelligence strongly positions her to lead ASD in executing its important national security mission," the Government's statement said.

"She has vital technical expertise having previously worked in ASD and has a strong understanding of the role the organisation plays in the national intelligence community."

Ms Noble's role at the ACSC saw her tasked with leading the nation's cyber security capabilities.

She will take on her new job in February 2020.

The Government thanked Lieutenant General John Frewen, the principal deputy director-general, for acting in the director-general role while ASD searched for a replacement for Mr Burgess.