Australia could soon have its first female Defence Department boss, meaning women would dominate the senior reaches of the defence and foreign affairs portfolios as never before.

Fairfax Media understands that Kathryn Campbell, the head of the Department of Human Services and a brigadier in the Army Reserve, is a hot prospect to replace current Defence boss Dennis Richardson.

Outgoing Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633 Brigadier Kathryn Campbell, CSC, left, with incoming Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633 Brigadier Neil Sweeney at the Taji Military Complex in Iraq. Credit:LSIS Jake Badior

There is a strong view in Canberra that it is time for a female Defence Department head, sources have said. If appointed, she would join Defence Minister Marise Payne, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Frances Adamson.

Ms Campbell sits alongside outgoing senior Defence official Peter Baxter, who led the development of this year's White Paper, and Australian Strategic Policy Institute chief Peter Jennings, as one of the top names on the list.