After leaving Scotch College, Hilliard completed a Bachelor of Applied Science - Physical Education at Phillip Institute of Technology and Graduate Diploma of Sports Science at Rusden State College.[6]
Prior to being appointed an athletics coach with the Australian Institute of Sport in 1982, Hillard was a physical education teacher at Ivanhoe Grammar School.[5][7] Whilst at the AIS (1982–2013), he personally coached athletes that had won 11 gold, 12 silver and two bronze at open major championships including the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships, World Indoors and the World Race Walking Cup.[8] Notable athletes coached by Hilliard at the AIS include:[9][5]
In 2013, he was appointed Athletics Australia Senior Athletics Coach and Mentor after the AIS Athletics Program ceased operation as a result of the AIS Winning Edge Strategy.[2] In April 2015, he was appointed Head Coach of the Australian Athletics Team.[8]
At the time of his appointment as Head Coach of the Australian Athletics Team in April 2015, he was a coach on twenty-four Australian teams, including six Olympic Games, seven Commonwealth Games and ten IAAF World Championships.[2] Team Coach on a further twenty-three Australian teams, including six Olympic Games, seven Commonwealth Games and ten IAAF World Championships.National coaching appointments include:[5]
- Summer Olympic Games - 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016 (Head Coach)
- World Athletics Championships - 1987 (Team Coach), 1991 (Team Coach), 1993 (Head Coach), 1995 (team Coach), 1997 (Head Coach), 1999 (Team Coach), 2001 (Team Coach), 2003 (Team Coach), 2005 (Team Coach), 2007 (team Coach), 2009 (Team Coach), 2011 (Team Coach), 2013 (Team Coach), 2015 (Head Coach), 2017 (Head Coach)
- World Athletics Indoor Championships - 1989, 1991 (Head Coach)
- Commonwealth Games - 1994 (Head Coach), 1998 (Coach), 2002 (Coach), 2006 (Jumps Coach), 2010 (Coaching Coordinator and Walks), 2014
- Summer Universiade - 1985 (Head Coach), 1989 (Head Coach), 2003 (Head Coach)
After leaving theposition of Head Coach of Athletics Australia at the end of 2018, Hilliard was appointed as a mentor coach for the next generation of Australian coaches including the likes of medal-winning Mike Barber, Matt Beckenham, Matt Horsnell, Russell Stratton, Alex Stewart and Paul Burgess.[10] He left this position in November 2024.
