NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal

The Minister for Mental Health is seeking applications from qualified persons interested in appointment as part-time sessional members of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal. Appointments are for up to a four-year period. Psychiatrist candidates must be available a minimum of ten times per year with other categories a minimum of fortnightly. Greater availability is welcomed. All appointment start dates will fall between August and October 2026.

Applications are sought for the following categories:

• LAWYER
• PSYCHIATRIST
• OTHER SUITABLY QUALIFIED MEMBER

THE TRIBUNAL

The Mental Health Review Tribunal is an independent legal body constituted under the Mental Health Act 2007. The Tribunal has some 47 heads of jurisdiction, considering the disposition and release of persons acquitted of crimes by reason of mental illness or cognitive impairment; determining matters concerning persons found unfit to be tried and prisoners transferred to a mental health facility for treatment.

The Tribunal also reviews the cases of detained (both civil and forensic) and voluntary psychiatric patients; hears appeals against authorised medical officer’s refusals to discharge; makes, varies and revokes community treatment orders and determines applications for certain treatments including electro convulsive therapy and surgery. The Tribunal can also make orders for financial management.

CRITERIA

Lawyer members must be Australian lawyers with a current practising certificate/Bar admission.

Psychiatrist members must be registered medical practitioners with specialist registration in psychiatry and recognised qualifications as a psychiatrist (such as being a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists or equivalent).

Other Suitably Qualified members must have professional or personal experience with persons to whom the Mental Health Act 2007 relates, such as people with a mental health condition. Experience with persons with dementia, acquired brain injury, intellectual disability or other cognitive impairments is also valued.

Applicants with lived experience as consumers or carers are encouraged to apply.

Members may be required to travel throughout metropolitan Sydney and on occasion to regional areas of NSW. Members are expected to participate in Tribunal professional development events.

REMUNERATION

The Mental Health Review Tribunal has been classified as Group D5 under the Public Service Commission’s Boards and Committees remuneration framework for non-presidential members.

To be considered for appointment to the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal, please submit an expression of interest by clicking the appropriate button below. To complete the submission form, you will need to upload a cover letter stating your interest in the role (max 2 pages) and a current Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages). All applicants will undergo mandatory probity checks including a criminal record check.

SUBMIT AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Further information may be found in the Tribunal’s Member Competencies, Member Selection Criteria and Member Recruitment Guidelines.

Applications close on Sunday 11 January 2026 at 11pm.