Mr Johan Galea joined the Public Service in the grade of a teacher in 1991. He served in both the primary and secondary streams. Between 2004 and 2007 he was appointed Assistant Head of School. He carried out duties in this position at the Għaxaq Primary School and at the Marsascala Primary School. In 2007 he was placed as Acting Head of School of Żejtun Primary B and subsequently was appointed Head of School in the same school.

In 2009 Mr Galea was appointed Assistant Director Support Services in the Planning and Priorities Coordination Division within the Office of the Prime Minister. Following this, in 2012, he was appointed Director Corporate Services within the Ministry for Fair Competition, Small Business and Consumers and in 2013 he occupied the same role within the Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto. In 2015 Mr Galea was appointed Director Corporate Affairs within the Arts Council Malta. In 2016 he was promoted to Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government. In January 2020 this Ministry was redesignated to the Ministry for Justice, Equality and Governance. The Ministry was redesignated as Ministry for Justice in April 2022. In February 2022 he was appointed Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects.

Mr Johan Galea graduated from the University of Malta with a B.A. (Gen) Degree in Psychology and Sociology and also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Education and a Diploma in Educational Administration and Management.