At the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (the Commission), we're looking for people who are committed to making the Victorian mental health system the best it can be.
With a strong focus on lived and living experience, we place the voices of individuals with direct experience of mental health challenges at the core of our work. We hold government accountable for the performance, quality, and safety of Victoria's mental health and wellbeing system, and drive system-wide cultural change, particularly by elevating lived experience leadership and reducing stigma relating to mental health.
We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We want to recruit the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background.
About the Commission
The Commission is an independent and impartial statutory body. It is charged with reporting on system performance and overseeing the implementation of recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System. It also holds the authority to initiate its own inquiries and provide independent advice to Ministers.
With a clear focus on quality and safety, the Commission receives and investigates complaints about service delivery and can require services to make changes in response. This function plays a critical role in driving accountability and continuous improvement across the system.
The Commission promotes and models the leadership and full participation of people with lived experience of mental illness or psychological distress, ensuring their voices shape the policies and programs that affect them. The Commission also elevates the role of families, carers, and supporters, recognising and promoting their valued contribution across the mental health and wellbeing system.
The Commissioner is the accountable statutory head of the Commission and leads its strategic direction, performance and delivery of functions under the Act. The role provides authoritative oversight of Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system and plays a critical role in holding government accountable for system performance, quality and safety.
The Commissioner is responsible for setting organisational direction and priorities, shaping organisational culture, and establishing and maintaining the Commission’s public reputation and key relationships. The role combines external leadership, including representing the Commission and influencing system reform, with internal accountability for governance, performance and organisational effectiveness.
The Commissioner oversees the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer and establishes decision-making frameworks and delegations of authority. The role requires independent judgement in complex, sensitive and high-profile matters and operates as a trusted source of advice to the Minister for Mental Health and the Victorian Government.
The Commissioner is accountable for advancing the Commission’s core objectives, including elevating the profile of mental health and wellbeing and promoting, supporting and protecting the rights of consumers, families, carers and supporters. A fundamental aspect of the role is to champion and embed lived experience leadership across all aspects of the Commission’s work.
About the Commission
The Commission is an independent and impartial statutory body. It is charged with reporting on system performance and overseeing the implementation of recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. It also holds the authority to initiate its own inquiries and provide independent advice to Ministers.
With a clear focus on quality and safety, the Commission receives and investigates complaints about service delivery and can require services to make changes in response. This function plays a critical role in driving accountability and continuous improvement across the system.
The Commission promotes and models the leadership and full participation of people with lived experience of mental illness or psychological distress, ensuring their voices shape the policies and programs that affect them. The Commission also elevates the role of families, carers, and supporters, recognising and promoting their valued contribution across the mental health and wellbeing system.
To be successful in this role, you will have:
A relevant tertiary qualification in public policy, health, law, social sciences or a related discipline is desirable, supported by extensive experience in senior leadership roles within complex public, regulatory or human services environments. Experience operating within legislative or statutory frameworks is highly regarded. Candidates with lived experience of mental illness or psychological distress, or as a family member, carer or supporter, are strongly encouraged. Where lived experience is not held by the Commissioner, the ability to work in genuine partnership with lived experience leaders and embed these perspectives at a system level will be essential. Experience working alongside lived and living experience communities in leadership, governance or reform contexts is highly desirable.
How to Apply
Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include an ASIC and AFSA screening check.
Your application will be provided to a third-party recruiter who may contact you to discuss.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.