Expressions of interest for the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board are now closed. You can, however, submit an expression of interest for consideration should positions become available in the future.

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About the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Board (the Board) is established by the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022 (the Act), which outlines the legal framework for voluntary assisted dying in NSW.

The Board is an independent oversight and decision-making body with responsibility for performing the functions and exercising the powers conferred upon it by the Act.

The Board has a range of functions, including:

  • making a high volume of time sensitive decisions to approve or refuse applications for voluntary assisted dying substance authorities for individual patients
  • making decisions to approve or refuse applications for residency exemptions for individual patients
  • providing annual reports on the operation of the Act to the Minister for Health
  • collecting statistical information about voluntary assisted dying in NSW
  • conducting analysis and research in relation to information given to the Board under the Act
  • making referrals for investigations of suspected breaches of the Act.

The full list of Board functions is available in section 136 of the Act.

The Board is supported by a Secretariat team within NSW Health to carry out its functions.

Role of Board members

Board members collectively exercise the functions and powers of the Board.

Board members are required to participate in twice-weekly in-person meetings in St Leonards, NSW. Board members are also required to consider matters out of session when necessary.

Standards of conduct

Board members are expected to adhere to public sector standards and principles of conduct in order to ensure public confidence and trust in the Board is maintained. Board members are also expected to adhere to internal governance and procedural documents adopted by the Board.

All Board members need a clear understanding of their public duty and legal responsibilities and must act for the proper purpose without exceeding their powers.

Board members must ensure the efficient and responsible expenditure of public funds in accordance with government legislation, policy and guidelines.

Pecuniary or other interests of a member that may be in conflict with their role as a member of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board must be disclosed and managed in accordance with public sector standards. This may include registering the interest and abstaining from decisions that relate to the interest of the member.

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Eligibility to apply

The Act specifies that the Board consists of five members jointly appointed by the Minister for Health and the Attorney General by Gazette notice, including:

  • a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Board who both must be an Australian legal practitioner with at least seven years’ legal practice experience and a Judge or other judicial officer, or a former Judge or other judicial officer, of a superior court of record of the State or of another State or Territory or of Australia (or qualified to be appointed as such) (note: must hold Australian practicing certificate throughout the term of appointment)
  • two members who are medical practitioners (note: must be registered to practice in the medical profession throughout the term of appointment)
  • one other member who the Minister for Health and Attorney General are satisfied has knowledge, skills or experience relevant to the Board’s functions.

Applicants who wish to be considered for future vacancies are required to complete and submit the Expression of Interest application form along with an up-to-date CV.

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Desirable knowledge, skills and experience

In addition to the requirements outlined above, suitable candidates should be:

  • qualified and/or experienced with a high record of professional achievement in one of the following fields: the medical profession; the law; representation of health consumers; the broader health profession; research and epidemiology; ethics and/or human rights; and/or public administration
  • committed to overseeing voluntary assisted dying in NSW in accordance with the Act and relevant NSW Health guidelines
  • an effective oral and verbal communicator, able to explain technical and complex issues clearly and concisely for diverse audiences
  • highly organised, with substantial experience overseeing the successful delivery of operational outcomes and ability to work well under pressure
  • capable of making fair, balanced and consistent decisions in a complex medico-legal environment without undue delay
  • a person of compassion, maturity, discretion, patience and integrity who inspires respect and confidence.

Remuneration

Remuneration is in accordance with the NSW Public Service Commission Classification and Remuneration Framework for NSW Government Boards and Committees.

Appointed Board members are eligible for remuneration of $50,000 per annum for the Chairperson and $25,000 per annum for a member.

A person appointed as an alternate member of the Board is eligible for remuneration as a Board member on a pro-rata basis.

Judicial office holders and/or public sector employees are not eligible for remuneration if appointed as a Board member (or alternate member).

Reimbursement for reasonable out of pocket expenses, such as travel and accommodation, will be consistent with the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet’s NSW Government Boards and Committees Guidelines.

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Term of appointment

Board members may be appointed for a term up to three years and are eligible for reappointment.

Alternate members of the Board may be appointed to act temporarily in a member’s place if they are unable to act because of illness, absence or other cause. Alternate member appointments may be for planned and unplanned vacancies and may occur with short notice. The specific details of an alternate member appointment will vary depending on the vacancy that is being filled.

Application and appointment process

Applications which are incomplete or do not answer the criteria will be excluded.

Details of all eligible applicants will be held on a register for up to two years and may be considered for appointment if vacancies arise during this time.

Probity checks for shortlisted applicants

Appointees to government boards and committees need to have records of personal, professional and commercial integrity. Applicants subject to appointment will be required to complete a satisfactory national criminal record check and be checked against the NSW Government Lobby Register as part of the selection process. Checks will also be undertaken of the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) Register of persons prohibited/disqualified from managing corporations and of the Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia (ITSA) National Personal Insolvency Index or are not insolvent.

Appointees to NSW Health boards and committees are required to have received two doses of a TGA approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccine and will be required to provide vaccination status evidence if successful.

How we manage your personal information

The NSW Ministry of Health will collect your personal information to assess your suitability for appointment to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board. As part of the appointment process your personal information will be held confidentially and will only be disclosed to persons involved in the short listing and appointment process.

Your information will be handled in a secured manner and will only be accessed as required. Your information will also be used in a de-identified format in order to:

  • meet whole of Government reporting requirements
  • enable the Government to monitor the diversity of appointments to and composition of statutory and other bodies to which the Government makes appointments
  • allow accurate reporting on the profile of public sector entity Board and Committee memberships of the State’s public sector entities.

If you are appointed to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board, the following information will be made available to the public on a NSW Government website and within press releases issued by the Minister for Health and NSW Health:

  • First name and surname.
  • The term of current appointment.
  • The position held, for example, Member/Chairperson.

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How to apply for future Board positions

To be considered for future vacancies on the NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Board you must submit:

You can submit your application form and CV by either email or post.

To complete and submit your application by email

  1. Save the Expression of Interest application form to your computer.
  2. Open the form and complete all sections by left-clicking in each highlighted box and entering your details.
  3. Save the completed form to your computer.
  4. Attach the completed form and your CV to an email and send it to: NSWH-BoardAppointments@health.nsw.gov.au

To download the Expression of Interest application form you will need Adobe Reader.

To complete and submit your application by post

You can print the Expression of Interest application form, complete it by hand and mail the completed form along with a copy of your current CV to:

Attention:  EOI Membership NSW Health Boards
Corporate Governance and Risk Management
NSW Ministry of Health
Locked Mail Bag 2030
St Leonards NSW 1590

For further information on how to apply please call 1800 328 998.

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Current as at: Friday 16 August 2024