The Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) is inviting applications from people interested in becoming practitioner members of a NSW health professional council. We are also looking to appoint deputy presidents to two Councils.

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.

Practitioner member positions available:     

Deputy President positions available:

Closing date: 5pm, Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Further information:

For more information about the role refer to the information package. 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 a practitioner member of the Council you need to be:

• a registered practitioner in the relevant profession and division/registration type where applicable (refer to the table above).
• available to attend monthly Council meetings and more frequent committee meetings if required, depending upon the complaint volume of the Council.
• be available to attend regulatory hearings.

To be the deputy president of the Council, you need to be a member of the Council. The deputy president may be a practitioner or non-practitioner member of Council.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion 

The HPCA and NSW Health Professional Councils are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects the diversity of the New South Wales community. We welcome applications from candidates who can contribute unique insights into the needs of various groups in our community. This includes but is not limited to:

• people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• people with disability
• people from LGBTQIA+ Communities and
• people of different ages, genders, and lived experiences

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

How long is the term of appointment?

• Council members are appointed for a term of up to three years and are eligible for reappointment for a maximum period of nine consecutive years.
• Deputy president positions are also appointed for a term of up to three years.
• The positions are to commence on 1 July 2025. 

How do I apply?

Please email the following documents to hpca-ps-appointments@health.nsw.gov.au by 5pm, Tuesday, 19 November 2024:

• expression 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. High level of professional expertise as a registered practitioner in the relevant profession and division/registration type (where applicable). If you have experience or expertise in any of the following areas, please also address this in your application: tertiary education for the relevant profession, governance, ethics, research or involvement in working groups, advisory groups, committees etc. for the relevant profession.
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.

Additional selection criteria for Deputy President

Demonstrated leadership to:

• ensure the health professional Council performs its functions under legislation and policies
• assist the flow of information to members, HPCA executive and other organisations
• develop and review the capabilities of the Council and its members.

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.