Ordinary member of the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission Governing Board
Part-time Temporary
Closes: 19 October 2026
Classification: Board/Committee/Council
Position No: Ordinary Member
Directorate: Independent Statutory Offices including boards, tribunals and committees
Advertised (Gazettal date): 22 September 2026
Contact Officer: Ms Kate Smith on
LRGPolicy@act.gov.au
or
(02) 6207 2536
Call for Expressions of Interest for Ordinary member of the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission Governing Board
The ACT Minister for Gaming Reform, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, invites expressions of interest from eligible and qualified people for appointment as a part-time member as Ordinary Member of the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission Governing Board (the Governing Board). A merit list will be established from this selection process and may be used to fill vacancies on the Board over the next 12 months.
The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission (the Commission) is an independent statutory authority established under the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999 (the Act). The Act provides for the continued administration of certain Acts relating to gambling and racing and establishes the powers, functions, and activities of the Commission.
The Act provides that the Commission is to be controlled by a Governing Board of five members consisting of the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and four part-time members (Chair, Deputy Chair and two other ordinary members). Members are appointed to the Board for a term of not more than three years.
The functions of the Commission include:
- regulating the activities of the casino, gaming machines, lotteries, racing, betting and interactive gambling
- approving gaming and racing activities
- monitoring and researching the social effects of gambling and of gambling harm
- providing education and counselling services
- reviewing legislation and policies relating to gaming and racing, and making recommendations to the Minister on those matters
- investigating and conducting inquiries into issues and activities of persons in relation to gaming and racing related matters
- monitoring and researching activities relating to gaming and racing
- engaging in community consultation, as appropriate; and
- collecting taxes, fees and charges imposed or authorised by or under gaming laws.
- The ACT Gaming and Racing Commission’s focus areas for 2026 are:
- Administer and regulate gaming laws soundly, incorporating continuous improvement and responsiveness to current and emerging challenges.
- Take a leading role in reducing gambling related consumer harm in the ACT.
- Review MOU arrangements with relevant service delivery Directorate to support the Commission in achieving its Objectives.
- Communicate with external (non-government) stakeholders and community transparently. Eligibility The Minister for Gaming Reform, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA, appoints eligible people to the Board. A person is eligible to be appointed as a member of the Governing Board where the ACT Minister for Gaming Reform agrees that the person has the relevant experience or expertise to undertake the role.
This experience may include:
- an understanding of the role, duties, and objectives of Government;
- legal expertise;
- corporate governance;
- strategic and risk planning;
- finance and accounting; and
- public health expertise.
Ordinary Member of the Governing Board
The Ordinary member appointment requires knowledge, experience or qualifications related to providing counselling services to people experiencing gambling harm, as set out in section 12 (1) of the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999.
In addition to the required expertise referred to above, for the Ordinary member appointment, we are looking for individuals who have a contemporary regulatory background and relevant industry knowledge, including the ability to engage with industry stakeholders. A demonstrated understanding of the social impact of gambling harm and of gambling harm prevention is highly desirable. You will need to articulate how you can assist the Governing Board to undertake the Commission’s functions and focus areas for the term of your appointment.
Under section 12 (2) of the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999, a person is not eligible to be appointed as a member of the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission Governing Board if:
- the person or the person’s domestic partner has an interest in a business subject to a gaming law; or
- the person would be unlikely to be able to properly exercise the functions of a member because of the person’s business association, financial association or close personal association with someone else; or
- the person has been convicted or found guilty of an offence against a gaming law or a corresponding law; or
- within five years before the proposed appointment, the person has been convicted, or found guilty, of an offence in Australia punishable by imprisonment for at least one year; or
- within five years before the proposed appointment, the person has been convicted, or found guilty, of an offence outside Australia that, if it had been committed in the ACT, would have been punishable by imprisonment for at least one year.
Members of the Governing Board are selected due to their knowledge and experience and are appointed as individuals to provide advice in the best interests of the ACT community. They are not expected to represent the views of any other organisation/s of which they may be a member or employee. Any actual or perceived conflicts of interest might make a person not eligible.
Meetings
The Governing Board conducts formal meetings monthly. The Board considers briefing papers and recommendations regarding significant issues, including those presented to the Board by Commission staff (through Access Canberra).
Remuneration
As per the ACT Remuneration Tribunal Determination 13 of 2025 – Part-time Public Office Holders, the Ordinary member position is remunerated at $29,670 per annum.
Application process
To apply for appointment to the Governing Board, please provide the following documents:
- Completed Expression of Interest coversheet
- Completed Board, Committee, Appointment Diversity Profile Form
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- A statement addressing the criteria for the appointment advertised, for example, required knowledge, experience or qualifications related to providing counselling services to people experiencing gambling harm for the Ordinary member appointment and other relevant knowledge, experience, or qualifications (in no more than two pages).
Please note if you are shortlisted for interview, you will be required to fill out a Declaration of Private Interests form.
Expressions of interest must be in writing and emailed to:
Gambling and Racing Commission Governing Board – EOI
Justice and Community Safety Directorate
General enquiries about the Governing Board appointment process should be directed to:
Ms Kate Smith
Senior Policy Officer
Liquor, Racing and Gaming Policy
Justice and Community Safety Directorate
(02) 6207 2536
Expressions of Interest must be received by COB 19 October 2026.
Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.
The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.
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Career interest categories:
Boards, Committees and Tribunals