LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council

What is the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council?

The purpose of the Council is to:

• provide a mechanism for ongoing community consultation to improve the NSW Government’s understanding of issues affecting LGBTIQ+ communities in NSW and to raise issues impacting LGBTIQ+ people and make recommendations to address them.
• contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of a NSW Government LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy.
• provide ongoing advice to the NSW Government on issues impacting LGBTIQ+ communities.  
   

Who is eligible to apply for the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council?

The NSW Premier’s Department is seeking up to 16 people to become members of the Council, with the aim for membership to reflect the diversity of LGBTIQ+ communities in NSW.

Members are appointed as individuals based on their relevant skills, experience, and knowledge. Members can include, but are not limited to, individuals from non-government organisations, the private sector and academia.

Public sector employees can apply but will not be entitled to remuneration as per Section 8.3 of the NSW Government Boards and Committees Guidelines. Public sector employees should also review any Secondary Employment policies within their respective organisation/department to determine how these may impact their application.

Nominations will be assessed by a panel convened by the Premier’s Department. Assessments will be based on the following criteria:

• demonstrated respect, influence and status within LGBTIQ+ communities through their knowledge, experience and/or expertise.
• demonstrated commitment to cooperation, inclusion and diversity.
• ability to deepen the diversity of the Council.

You must be a current NSW resident aged 18 and over to join the Council.

We strongly encourage First Nations people, those living in regional NSW, individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people living with disability or neurodivergence to apply.

What will Council members be required to do?

Council members are expected to:

• attend Council and out-of-session meetings, as well as other Council functions and events as appropriate.
• use their networks, other memberships and/or contacts to stay informed about current and relevant issues.
• maintain open and effective communication and liaison with other Council members.
• comply with the Council’s Terms of Reference, including maintaining the confidentiality of meetings and discussions and disclosing any conflicts of interest.
• contribute to the effectiveness of the Council by always displaying respect to other Council members, actively listening and making constructive contributions.

Members will be appointed for a two-year term and will meet at least four times per year.

Applicants can nominate themselves to be one of the Council’s two Co-Chairs via a question on the application form. Those applicants selected to be a Co-Chair will from time to time be required to attend other meetings as Council representatives. Co-Chairs will be given ample notice of any such additional meetings.

Will Council members be paid?

Members will be paid a daily sitting fee of $220, this amount increases to $350 per Co-Chair, in accordance with the NSW Public Service Commission’s Classification and Remuneration Framework for NSW Government Boards and Committees. Under the Framework, daily sitting fees cover all meetings of the Council and other official business of the Council. Daily sitting fees are not paid for preparation or reading time.

As per Section 8.3 of the NSW Government Boards and Committees Guidelines, public sector employees appointed to the Council will not receive remuneration. This includes employees of all NSW public service Departments, statutory bodies outside the public service and State Owned Corporations.

How to apply for the Council

All members, including the Co-Chairs, will be selected based on an open application process, underpinned by the principles of merit, fairness, diversity and integrity.

Applicants should list their relevant skills, experience, and knowledge, including membership and roles with organisations within LGBTIQ+ communities where applicable.

To apply to be on the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council, you must complete an online application form. The form asks you to submit a current CV or resume as well as some personal information and answer three questions outlining your expertise and experience in LGBTIQ+ issues to support your application.

The questions are:

1. The LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council provides a channel for community consultation, so members will require well-developed communication, liaison, and negotiation skills. How will your professional background, skills or expertise support this Council function? (250-word limit).
2. The Council can provide advice based on lived experience and other forms of expertise, including community knowledge and professional experience, acknowledging that many people may encounter intersecting forms of discrimination over their lifetimes. Describe your commitment to and expertise in LGBTIQ+ diversity and inclusion (250-word limit).
3. Members will be expected to work collaboratively with LGBTIQ+ communities, collectively discuss issues and explore options to address them. Please outline your approach to working with diverse perspectives in the communities to find practical solutions, as well as your standing within LGBTIQ+ communities, to deliver outcomes for the Council (250-word limit).

Applicants wishing to be considered for a Co-Chair position will be asked the following additional question:

1. Persons appointed as Co-Chair must have demonstrated the capacity to lead others, manage conflict, summarise complex information and arguments, and, where appropriate, formulate advice and/or make decisions in a professional and effective manner. Previous experience in a Chairing capacity would be beneficial but is not a requirement. Please tell us about the experience or leadership qualities you have that would make you an effective Co-Chair of the LGBTIQ+ Advisory Council.

All applicants will be asked to provide the details of two referees.

Short-listed candidates will be contacted by the Premier’s Department and asked to attend a short interview with the selection panel.

Please note that if you are offered a position on the Council, you will be required to undergo a Police Check and other appropriate probity checks before your appointment. 

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday 26 May 2024.

Help with completing your application

For questions about the Council or help with the application process (including if you have access requirements), please contact the Premier’s Department by emailing inclusion@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au or by calling 0466 498 944 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). 

If you are deaf, or find it hard to hear or speak to a hearing person on the phone, you can contact us using the National Relay Service and ask for 0466 498 944.

To speak to us in another language, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 13 14 50 and ask the interpreter to phone 0466 498 944.