Mr Logan was the face and the voice of the department from 2005, often attracting controversy with his confrontational forays into social media.

But the former journalist and ACT Policing spokesman was sidelined by Immigration Minister Scott Morrison in September and his Twitter account was silenced.

Mr Logan will be remembered by a generation of reporters for his aggressive approach to defending department conduct relating to asylum seekers in detention.

But he seems set for more tranquil times, saying on Thursday he was looking forward to a one-year hiatus in London with his wife.

The spinner's last brush with controversy was the legal dispute over the sacking of one of his workers, Michaela Banerji, dismissed last year after sending tweets highly critical of the government, the minister, the immigration portfolio and him.

In her court battle to get her job back (which is now with Fair Work Australia), Ms Banerji alleged she had been bullied by the tough-talking Canadian during her time at the department's NatComms branch.

On Thursday, Mr Logan was avoiding controversy. Instead, in a statement, he praised the efforts of his Immigration colleagues.

"My spokesman's and social media role as assistant secretary of the National Communications Branch has kept me busy promoting the department's profile, its reputation and, importantly, the work of all of our terrific staff," he said.

"The portfolio was always challenging, and the unrelenting demands were as varied as the individuals whom we serve.

"I am confident my successors in NatComms, and more widely throughout the department, will continue to be reliable and helpful interlocutors attending to your interests and needs."