Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Advisory Council – Expressions of Interest

Open

Closes in 17 days

Background

The Australian Government is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) for a new Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Advisory Council (the Council).

The Council will provide independent advice on the effectiveness of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 (National Plan), as well as advice on new and emerging evidence to improve impact. The Council will operate in an advisory capacity only and will report directly to the Minister for Social Services.

The role of the Council will be critical in progressing the work to develop the Second Action Plan throughout 2026.

Membership

The Council will consist of ten members, selected through an EOI process. Membership will be determined based on relevant areas of expertise to ensure the Council, as a collective, has the relevant expertise to achieve its objectives. The skills matrix below outlines the areas of expertise we’re seeking.

The EOI will be advertised through relevant stakeholder channels, and invitations to apply may also be made directly by the Minister for Social Services.

Skills and areas of expertise and/or lived experience (Skills Matrix)

Skills and areas of expertise and/or lived experience	Experience or expertise in:
Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (FDSV)	prevention, early intervention, crisis response, recovery and healing supporting victim‑survivors (adults, children or young people) working with children and young people embedding trauma‑informed or safety‑focused approaches lived experience that informs your understanding of DFSV working with men at risk of or using violence engaging men and boys in efforts to reduce violence against women and children understanding new and emerging forms of violence
Systems Design, Integration and Service Improvement	improving coordination across services designing or strengthening programs or service models reducing duplication or closing service gaps safety by design and addressing weaponisation working with universal systems (such as health, housing, justice, education or financial services) to better support people experiencing DFSV embedding safety, accessibility, trauma‑informed or culturally safe practice
Universal and Related Service Systems Experience	working in health, education, housing, disability, justice, financial services, child protection or community services improving those systems’ capability to recognise and respond to DFSV making services safer, more inclusive or easier to navigate
First Nations Self‑Determination and Cultural Safety	partnering with/or working in First Nations communities or organisations embedding self‑determination in governance, systems, programs or service design lived experience as a First Nations person using culturally safe and community‑led approaches
Applying Intersectional and Inclusive Approaches	partnering with/or working with diverse or marginalised communities lived experience as a member of a diverse or marginalised community designing policies or systems that address structural and systemic barriers improving accessibility, safety or inclusion applying intersectional analysis to decision‑making, systems, programs or service design
Research, Data and Evaluation	ability to interpret and use research, data, and evaluations relating to DFSV prevalence, risk factors, outcomes and system performance to effectively inform policy and implementation advice
Systemic Reform	law or regulatory reform contributing to or advising on systemic innovation and improvements

Responsibilities

Reporting directly the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, the Council has the following responsibilities:

Drive continuous advice on the effectiveness of measures and overall impact of the National Plan.
Deliver expert guidance to Government on new and emerging evidence, shaping National Plan objectives, activities and outcomes.
Advise on practical, evidence-based solutions to strengthen implementation of the National Plan.
Develop connections and identify opportunities to align with other key strategies and frameworks.
Engage proactively in strategic stakeholder meetings to influence and advance shared priorities.

Remuneration and Support

Members of the Council will be remunerated in accordance with the Remuneration Tribunal (Remuneration and Allowances for Holders of Part-time Public Office) Determination 2025. The sitting fee rates are based on section 21 of the determination and apply as follows:

Sitting fee rates for Council members

Meeting and preparation duration	2 hours or less (40% of daily rate)	Between 2 – 3 hours (60% of daily rate)	3 hours plus (100% of daily rate)
Applicable fee	$304	$456	$759

Sitting fees cover meeting attendance, preparation, and reasonable travel time. They do not include other allowances such as accommodation, flights, or taxis.

Membership will be reviewed every 3 years, or earlier if membership drops below 6 members. This helps ensure the Council stays independent and has a diverse mix of skills and lived experience.

The Department of Social Services is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space. Meetings will be run in a trauma‑informed and culturally safe way, and support will be available as needed.

Confidentiality

Council members have an obligation not to use or disclose information provided in confidence, without consent of the Chair, the party who provided the information or as otherwise authorised or permitted by law.

Confidential information provided as part of the Council is provided to enable members to perform their responsibilities. This includes information relating to agenda items to be discussed. Members must take all reasonable steps to ensure this information remains confidential and is only disclosed where authorised or permitted by law.

Before commencing their role, all members are required to complete a Deed of Confidentiality and a Conflict of Interest Declaration.

Expression of Interest

Assessment process and selection criteria

Expertise and Experience

Applications will be assessed against the criteria below.

Demonstrated expertise against one or more of the items in the skills matrix
Capability to provide strategic advice on whole-of-government policy design and integrated service responses
Capability to provide advice on implementation and change management in complex services and systems
Capability to interpret research, evaluation findings and data to inform policy and implementation advice
Capability to provide advice on systemic reform opportunities for driving structural change
Ability to engage with relevant communities, networks or industries.

Previous experience in a similar advisory body is beneficial but not mandatory.

Interviews may be conducted as part of the process if required. Interviews will only occur where additional information is needed to support the selection process.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must:

Be an Australian Citizen.
Undergo identification and pre-employment screening (this may include further probity and integrity checks on shortlisted candidates; for example, legal history and financial history checks).
Provide evidence of a current National Police Check.
Be able to obtain a valid Working With Children Check.
Be able to obtain and maintain a baseline security clearance.

Transparency

The integrity of the EOI process will be managed through a selection process.

We embrace the strength of diversity — through our people and the perspectives they bring. We are committed to inclusive recruitment practices and encourage applications from people with disability or neurodivergence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and individuals from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments can be provided throughout the recruitment process.

Selection Panel Composition

A selection panel will support the Minister for Social Services for the assessment of applicants through the EOI process. The selection panel that will assess applicants will be composed of the following:

Deputy Secretary, Delivery and Data – Department of Social Services
Group Manager, Family Safety – Department of Social Services
Executive Director, Office for Women – Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet; and/or
First Assistant Secretary, Office for Women – Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

Expression of interest

To express your interest in the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Advisory Council, please complete an EOI form. You will need to provide information about yourself and your experience.

EOIs can be submitted via here:

Apply now

Alternatively, you can send your application (and your resume) to DFSVAdvisoryCouncil@dss.gov.au using an EOI form:

If you wish to submit an audio, video, postal or handwritten application, please email DFSVAdvisoryCouncil@dss.gov.au for instructions on providing your submission.

Timeline

EOI opens on 12 March 2026
EOI closes on 2 April 2026
Assessment period will occur during April-May 2026, with notification of outcomes by mid-May 2026.

Need support or have questions?

We’re here to help. If you have any questions about the Council or the EOI process, please reach out to DFSVAdvisoryCouncil@dss.gov.au.

If you need support to complete or submit your application, please contact us at DFSVAdvisoryCouncil@dss.gov.au to discuss options.

Any feedback on the EOI process can be directed to DFSVAdvisoryCouncil@dss.gov.au.

Help and Support

Domestic, family or sexual violence can be a difficult issue to hear, read or think about.

Help is available. If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

If you or someone close to you is in distress or immediate danger, please call 000.

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