Merit Protection Boards and Disciplinary Appeal Boards Pool

The Merit Protection Boards is an independent statutory body established under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. The functions of the Merit Protection Boards are:

a) to hear reviews and appeals in relation to:

1. certain decisions made under the Act (except for Division 9A (unsatisfactory performance) and Division 10 (misconduct) of Part 2.4) or any other Act.
2. any decision prescribed by the regulations or Ministerial Order to be a decision in respect of which there is a right of review by or appeal to a merit protection board.
3. any decision of the Secretary, if the Secretary has delegated his or her function or power to hear reviews and appeals to a merit protection board.

b) to advise the Minister for Education and Secretary about principles of, and matters relating to, merit and equity to be applied in the teaching service.

The Disciplinary Appeals Boards are established pursuant to Part 2.4 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (the ETR Act). The Boards hear appeals from Teaching Service employees against determinations of the Secretary to the Department of Education and Training (the Department) in relation to misconduct under Division 10 and unsatisfactory performance under Division 9A of the ETR Act.

The roles involve serving as a member of the Merit Protection Boards or the Disciplinary Appeals Boards, which are independent bodies established under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. The Merit Protection Boards review and hear appeals related to certain decisions made under the Act concerning merit and equity in the teaching service, while the Disciplinary Appeals Boards handle appeals regarding misconduct and unsatisfactory performance in the teaching service. Candidates should have relevant experience or transferable skills. Appointments are made by the Governor in Council for set terms, and members must undergo probity checks including a criminal records check, before appointment. Successful applicants will be persons of integrity and good character, with a high standing in the community and who demonstrate a high level of performance in their field of endeavour.

Members of the Merit Protection Boards are appointed by the Governor in Council for a three- year term to one of three pools:

1. persons who have been nominated by the Minister to be chairpersons of MPBs
2. persons who have been nominated by the Secretary
3. persons who are employees in the teaching service who have been nominated by the Minister after calling for expressions of interest from all employees in the teaching service.

Members of the Disciplinary Appeal Boards are appointed by the Governor in Council for a five-year term to one of three pools:

1. persons who have been admitted to legal practice in Victoria for not less than 5 years and have been nominated by the Secretary
2. persons who are officers in the teaching service and have been nominated by the Minister after calling for expressions of interest
3. persons who have knowledge of or experience in education, education administration or public sector administration and have been nominated by the Secretary.

Each Board Hearing contains three members, one from each of the categories above.

You!

Are you:

- A person with professional experience, practical knowledge or relevant lived experience that would support the functions of the Merit Protection and/or Disciplinary Appeals Board

- A registered teacher

- A person who has currently worked or is working at a school. We are actively looking for Business Managers.

- A person with legal and/or quasi-judicial experience

- A person of diversity who wants to make a difference. We are actively looking for young people (under 34 years), people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and/or people who speak a Language other than English at home.

Then consider expressing your interest.

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government agencies reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from women, people of all ages, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ people, and people living in rural and regional Victoria. We will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

The Victorian Government’s Women on Boards commitment has been in effect since 2015 and is ensuring that all public boards have no less than 50% women. In 2021, 55% of board seats are held by women, compared to 39% 6 years ago.

All expressions of interest must be submitted through www.boards.vic.gov.au All applications must include:

• a current curriculum vitae
• completed expression of interest form (attached to advertisement)

Reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process can be provided upon request. Please contact Kate Hurst workplace.relations@education.vic.gov.au if you require any further assistance or would like additional information.

Expressions of interest must be lodged by 11:59pm on Sunday 16 February 2025