Please note: Applications for these positions have now closed.

The Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) is inviting applications from people interested in becoming Australian Lawyer members of a NSW Health Professional Council.

The Councils are independent statutory bodies established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) (the Law). There are 15 Health Professional Councils in NSW. The Governor of NSW appoints members recommended by the Minister for Health.

The Councils’ main responsibility is to protect the health and safety of the public. Councils do this by working in partnership with the Health Care Complaints Commission to manage complaints about the health, performance and/or conduct of registered practitioners in NSW.

Australian Lawyer Member Positions available:     

Closing date: 9am, Thursday 2 November 2023

Further information:

For more information about the role, click here. For questions about the role, Health Professional Councils or the application and selection process, you can contact:

Name:             Fiona Hanley, Senior Policy and Program Advisor, HPCA

Phone:            02 9879 2238

Email:             hpca-ps-appointments@health.nsw.gov.au

You can find more information about the Councils here and see the Councils' latest annual report here.

Am I eligible to apply?

To be an Australian Lawyer member of the Council you need to:

• be admitted to the legal profession and currently on the Supreme Court Roll
• be available to attend monthly Council meetings in person or virtually
• be available to attend more frequent committee meetings if required, depending upon the complaint volume of the Council
• be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine (two doses) unless medically contraindicated

Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

The HPCA and NSW Health Professional Councils are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and ensuring equitable representation on Councils. Women, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, LGBTIQ+ community, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For information about the NSW Health Professional Councils and HPCA Aboriginal Cultural Safety Strategy click here.

How long is the term of appointment and when does it begin?

• Council members are appointed for a term of up to three years and are eligible for reappointment for a maximum period of nine years.
• The remaining positions are to commence on 1 July 2024. This process may take several months.

How do I apply?

Please email the following documents to hpca-ps-appointments@health.nsw.gov.au by 9am, Thursday 2 November 2023:

• expressions of interest form, including the name and contact details of two referees
• a covering letter or brief statement addressing each of the selection criteria (no more than three pages)
• an up-to-date curriculum vitae (no more than five pages)

Your application cannot be considered if you do not include the above three documents.

Selection criteria

Applications must address each of the following selection criteria:

1. Professional experience or interest in one or more of the following areas is desirable: regulatory and administrative law, health related law, community advocacy, consumer rights in health, governance and ethics.  
2. The capacity to actively participate as a member of Council in the regulation of registered health practitioners to protect the public including evidence of integrity, independence, impartiality, good judgement, and social awareness.
3. High level of oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills including influencing and negotiating.
4. Demonstrated experience or capacity to work collaboratively and productively as a member of Council.

Referee reports

Please include the name and contact details of two referees. Your referees should be able to discuss your skills, qualifications and fit with responsibilities of a Council member.