Arbitration Panel (For Access to Land for Exploration)

About the appointment

The Arbitration Panel is a statutory body established under the Mining Act 1992 and the Petroleum (Onshore) Act 1991. Arbitration Panel members are appointed to meditate, conciliate and arbitrate in cases where the holder of a mineral or petroleum exploration licence or assessment lease has been unable to negotiate an access arrangement with a landholder to carry out exploration activity on a property.

Once appointed, Arbitration Panel members are required to disclose to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development any relevant financial dealings, employment history and any other factor which could put the arbitrator at risk of having a conflict of interest or give rise to actual or perceived bias.

The Department may publish the information disclosed in a register of interests on its website. There is also an expectation that Arbitration Panel members will maintain minimum qualifications and undertake continuous education and training consistent with accreditation requirements and attend an induction session conducted by NSW Resources.

Remuneration and appointment term

Arbitration Panel members are appointed to arbitrate land access matters on a rotational basis. In accordance with the Public Service Commission’s Boards and Committees Classification Framework, remuneration is set at a maximum of $1,000 per day.

Appointments to the Arbitration Panel are for a term of three years commencing in late 2025.

How to apply

Selection criteria

Applicants should provide a resume, details of two referees and a cover letter addressing their suitability and the following criteria:

• be an accredited mediator and/or

• have extensive arbitration experience, and/or

• have extensive agricultural or resources industry experience or be an Australian legal practitioner of at least seven years’ standing with extensive litigation experience.

The Department will conduct probity and referee checks on suitable applicants as part of the appointment process.

The assessment of candidates will be undertaken by an assessment panel.

Submission of applications

Applications should be submitted to the Department via email [email protected]. Applications close 5pm AEDT on 5 May 2025.

Further information

Information about the Arbitration Panel and guidance on the governance arrangements pertaining to land access arrangements in NSW, including disclosure requirements of arbitrators, is available on the NSW Resources website.