The key duties of the position include:
The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal is an independent statutory body established under the Defence Act 1903 to consider Defence honours and awards matters. The Tribunal provides an avenue for individuals to seek review of their eligibility for a defence honour or award, or a foreign award, after an application has been refused by Defence. The Government may also refer general eligibility issues relating to Defence honours and awards to the Tribunal for inquiry and recommendation. The Chair and Tribunal members are supported by a small Canberra-based Secretariat.
As Chair you will lead and support Tribunal members in decision making and ensure strong governance arrangements are in place to support the work of the Tribunal, including effective Procedural Rules, and work collaboratively with the Minister and senior Defence stakeholders on key issues.
To be a strong contender for this important appointment, you will need to be an accomplished and experienced current or former senior executive with exceptional communication and relationship management skills, a collaborative approach to issues and an interpersonal style that engenders trust and respect. You will have a proven record of achievement at the highest levels of the private or public sectors and will be acknowledged by others for your intellectual rigour, sound judgement, high ethical standards and integrity. An understanding of military history would be an advantage but is not essential. Tertiary level qualifications will be expected.
A person who is, or has at any time been, a member of the Defence Force rendering continuous full-time service is not eligible to be appointed as the Chair. The Chair will be appointed for a period of up to three years and cannot hold office for more than six continuous years.
Remuneration is set by the Remuneration Tribunal and is currently payable at the rate of $1,322 per day.
Before applying, please obtain selection documentation from the Executive Intelligence Group vacancies page www.executiveintelligencegroup.com.au Ref. No. 1047.
If, after reading the selection documentation, you require further information please contact Tricia Searson or Karina Duffey at Executive Intelligence Group on (02) 6232 2***.
Applications AEST Monday 13 April 2026.
Getting to know the Department of Defence
The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers