 His cousin Jacob was hired as a lawyer by the firm taking action against the AMP with regards to financial misconduct.In 2010, Varghese was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration, particularly in leading reform in the Australian intelligence community and as an adviser in the areas of foreign policy and international security.Varghese was conferred with a Doctor of Letters "honoris causa" by the University of Queensland in July 2013 in recognition of his distinguished service to diplomacy and Australian Public Service.