The Minister for Emergency Services is pleased to invite applications for the Chairperson position on the Presumptive Rights Advisory Committee (PRAC) commencing in October 2026 for a fixed period of 3 years.
The Presumptive Rights Advisory Committee is established under the Firefighters'
Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2019
(the Act) and provides advice in relation to presumptive rights compensation claims.
The Act gives career and volunteer firefighters presumptive rights to compensation if they have been diagnosed with one of 15 types of cancer and meet certain other qualifying requirements. The role of the PRAC is to provide expert opinions to WorkSafe Victoria when requested to do so by WorkSafe Victoria.
For further information on presumptive rights compensation, visit
The Chairperson of the PRAC calls upon three Committee Members of the PRAC to provide an expert opinion. The Chairperson may nominate themselves.
The Chairperson, if chosen, will, together with the Committee Members, provide expert opinions, inquire into and become informed of any matters relevant to the request for an expert opinion and liaise with WorkSafe Victoria, Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and other stakeholders, where required.
To be eligible for the position of Chairperson a person
must
be able to
make an informed and independent assessment
of the matters to be considered by the PRAC and meet at least
one
of following requirements:
* Significant and substantial expertise and experience in firefighting, fire response, fire management or another relevant field.
* Significant and substantial expertise and experience relevant to the scientific research of the relationship between firefighters' occupational exposure and cancers.
* Is an Australian lawyer.
Other highly desirable skills of the following:
* Experience in management of volunteer based fire or emergency service
; including demonstrated understanding and experience in the management and operation of a volunteer-based fire or emergency service.
* Organisational skills
, including a demonstrated ability to plan and manage resources.
* Conceptual and analytical skills
, including a demonstrated ability to critically analyse problems to address issues and complexities.
* Stakeholder management
, including the ability to engage with volunteer firefighters
and local brigade leaders, senior leaders and executives and provide robust, transparent and sound advice in relation to specific subject matter.
* Communication and interpersonal skills
, including the ability to liaise and consult with employees and management at all levels across the organisation, as well as government officials, stakeholders and senior external associates.
* Well-developed judgement abilities
, including the ability to show initiative and innovation in the development of solutions and managing issues.
A person is
NOT
eligible for appointment to the PRAC if the person is:
* engaged in any paid employment, is a volunteer or holds a position with:
* a fire services agency (FRV, CFA and the Forest Fire Management Victoria)
* an industrial body that is responsible for an enterprise agreement that applies to a fire services agency
* the Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria Incorporated, or
* the Victorian Volunteer Firefighters Association.
* an insolvent under administration, or
* convicted of an indictable offence or of an offence that, if committed in Victoria, would be an indictable offence.
To apply, please submit your application on 'Get on Board' and include your curriculum vitae with a covering letter addressing the key selection criteria. Applicants should demonstrate one or more of the skills or experience identified in the position description. #DJCS
Applications must be received by
11:59pm on Sunday 8 February 2026
. Late applications will not be accepted. Applications will be assessed by an independent panel and interviews will be conducted for successful applicants. The selection panel will then make a recommendation to the Minister for Emergency Services for final consideration.
The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that its boards reflect the diversity of the Victorian community. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people of all ages, women, people with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. For all general enquiries regarding the position or appointments process, please contact David Clavarino, Director, Emergency Management Victoria on