Presidential and Senior Members

Closes: 30 September 2026

Classification: Board/Committee/Council
Position No: Presidential and Senior Members
Directorate: Independent Statutory Offices including boards, tribunals and committees
Advertised (Gazettal date): 21 August 2026
judicialappointment@act.gov.au

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Expressions of Interest for Appointment to the ACT Civil & Administrative Tribunal –

Presidential Members – full-time or part-time

Senior Members – part-time

The Attorney-General of the Australian Capital Territory, Ms Tara Cheyne MLA, invites expressions of interest from eligible and suitably qualified people for appointment to the following roles of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT):

• as a Presidential Member (on either a full-time or part-time basis)
• a non-presidential Senior Member of the ACAT with expertise to hear matters under the Mental Health Act 2015 (on a part‑time basis)

For all roles, women, people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from other culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those who identify as LGBTIQ+ are encouraged to apply.

Merit lists will be established to fill any further vacancies that arise in the next 12 months on either a full-time or part-time basis.

Information regarding eligibility, remuneration and selection criteria may be obtained from jobs.act.gov.au.

Presidential members

Presidential members are appointed to hear and determine, mediate or conduct conferences about matters within the jurisdiction of the ACAT and exercise a range of functions given under Territory laws. Presidential members are allocated to constitute the Tribunal when hearing applications under the Mental Health Act 2015 (as required by that Act), on appeals from first instance Tribunal decisions (as required by the ACAT Act) and for a range of other matters. They also carry out functions delegated to them by the ACAT President.

Full-time presidential members undertake case management responsibilities for a specified jurisdiction.  This involves interaction with other members, registry staff and stakeholders to receive feedback, provide information or training and to develop procedures.

Presidential members of the Tribunal are appointed by the ACT Executive. In order to be eligible for this appointment, a person must have been a legal practitioner for not less than 5 years.

Expressions of interest are sought from all areas of the legal community, including the private, government and community sectors.

Presidential Members are appointed to the ACAT for a term of 7 years but can be appointed on a temporary basis for up to 12 months, or an acting basis for up to 7 years.

Selection criteria

The selection criteria for Presidential Members are set out in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Presidential Appointment Requirements) Determination 2016.

Senior members

Senior members are allocated to hear and determine, mediate or conduct conferences about matters within the jurisdiction of the ACAT. Expressions of interest are sought from people who are qualified psychiatrists or who have a relevant interest, experience or qualification to hear matters under the Mental Health Act 2015 (as required by that Act). Psychiatrists, medical and health practitioners, and persons with other qualifications or experience in the mental health sector are encouraged to apply.

Senior members of the Tribunal are appointed by the Attorney-General. In order to be eligible for this appointment, the Attorney-General must be satisfied that the person has the experience or expertise to exercise the functions of a senior member.

Senior Members are appointed for a term of up to 5 years.

Selection Criteria

The selection criteria are set out in the ACAT Members Competency Framework.

Candidates will also be assessed on their interest, experience and qualifications to hear matters under the Mental Health Act 2015.

Remuneration

Remuneration is set by the ACT Remuneration Tribunal in Determination 8 of 2025 ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal under the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1995. Other terms and conditions may be set by the Executive at the time of appointment.

Inquiries and Expressions of Interest

Written expressions of interest identifying interest in either a full-time or part-time appointment as a Presidential Member, or part-time Senior Member, addressing the relevant selection criteria (1,000 word limit) and accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae and completed personal particulars form should be emailed to judicialappointment@act.gov.au or posted to:

ACAT Member Recruitment

Justice and Community Safety Directorate

GPO Box 158

CANBERRA ACT 2601

General enquiries about the ACAT should be directed to the ACAT Registrar, Ms Kristy Carter, on
02 6207 1379 or via email at Kristy.Carter@act.gov.au.

Recruitment-specific queries should be directed to the Justice and Community Safety Directorate via email, at judicialappointment@act.gov.au.

Expressions of interest close on 30 September 2026. Late applications may be accepted at the panel’s discretion.

How to Apply: Written Expressions of Interest, addressing the Selection Criteria and accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae, personal particulars form, and Declaration of Private Interests should be emailed to judicialappointment@act.gov.au.

Applications should be submitted directly to: judicialappointment@act.gov.au.

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.

Career interest categories:

Boards, Committees and Tribunals