Her elevation as Australian Signals Directorate director-general makes her the first woman to lead a major Australian intelligence agency.

Ms Noble replaces Mike Burgess, who left the directorate to lead ASIO this year.

She will take on the role only six months after her promotion to lead the government's cyber security agency, the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

Ms Noble was deputy secretary of the executive group at the Department of Home Affairs when she replaced Alastair MacGibbon as the head of the cyber security centre.

In a joint statement on Friday Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said Ms Noble had vital technical expertise having previously worked in the signals directorate.

"Her appointment to this leadership role is a significant step forward for women in the national security sector and we congratulate her," they said.

At the Australian Cyber Security Centre she was responsible for leading the Commonwealth government's cyber security, responding to cyber security threats and incidents, and collaborating with government, industry and the community on cyber security matters.

Ms Noble will start her new role in February.