Disability Justice Australia Inc. (DJA) is seeking to appoint additional volunteer members to the Board of Directors (the Board). The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of DJA, whereas the Board focuses on the broader strategy and policy leadership of the organisation.

Position Description

Position Title	Board member
Essential	Must be a person with disability aged over 18 (Full Member)
Organisation & Office Location	Disability Justice Australia Inc. 2/28A Albert Street Preston, VIC 3072
Frequency of Meetings determined by the Board	Attendance normally online via Microsoft Teams

About Disability Justice Australia Inc.

1. Disability Justice Australia Inc. (DJA) is a national not-for-profit organisation. DJA is a Registrable Australian Body (ARBN 629 441 078) under the Corporations Act 2001. DJA reports each year to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Most of DJA’s funding comes from Commonwealth Government grants through the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. https://www.health.gov.au/
2. DJA is based in Melbourne. DJA has a 2026–2032 Strategic Plan to grow services across Australia. This includes expanding into all states and territories, developing social enterprises, and finding other sources of funding.
3. DJA has more than 300 members from across Australia. Members include Full Members, Individual Members and Associate Members. More information is available at https://dja.org.au/membership/.
   2021 Constitution: https://dja.org.au/membership/about-us#our-constitution
4. Our vision is to be a leading provider of advocacy and support services for people with disabilities.
5. Our mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities through innovative, person-centred support.
6. Our objectives are:
   • Provide services that respond to the needs of people with disabilities and their families.
   • Promote and protect the human rights of people with disabilities.
   • Provide advocacy and support services to help achieve these objectives.
7. Our values guide how we promote, empower, enhance and protect the human rights of people with disabilities. We do this by:
   • supporting people to take part fully in society and be included.
   • respecting each person’s dignity.
   • recognising each person’s right to equal opportunity.
   • respecting people’s differences, including disability, age, gender, culture, heritage. language, faith, sexual identity and relationship status.
   • respecting each person’s right to independence and to make their own choices.
   • taking steps to help keep people free from discrimination, exploitation, abuse, harm, neglect and violence.
   • making our services and buildings accessible.
   • providing advocacy and support that is least restrictive, up to date, evidence based, transparent and open to review.
   • recognising the important role of families, friends and carersin protecting and upholding people’s rights.
   • working with other organisations and community members to help people connect with family, friends and the communities they choose.

Services

DJA staff and volunteers support people who have ongoing needs related to disability. DJA provides mobile outreach services. This means we usually travel to meet clients. Clients rarely come to the office, except by appointment to drop off documents. DJA specialises in legal advocacy and NDIS Appeals advocacy for people applying for external review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) after an unsatisfactory Internal Review outcome. DJA spends 10% of its funding on systemic advocacy, in partnership with the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations.

Please visit https://dja.org.au/dja-home-page/legal-advocacy/ for more information.

Governance

1. The Board can have 12 and no more than 16 Full members with disability. The Board includes:
   • President,
   • Vice President,
   • Secretary,
   • Treasurer,
   • 8 to12 other members with disability. Board members with disabilities are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or selected to fill casual vacancies between AGMs.
2. The Board may appoint up to four additional Individual Members. These members are parents, carers or guardians of people with disabilities who cannot be members in their own right. This includes children under 18 and adults who do not have capacity to become Full members of DJA. The Board invites these members when it identifies a need.

Role of the Board

1. The Board manages DJA’s business and provides good governance. It must meet the requirements of relevant laws, DJA’s Constitution, government policies and guidelines, and funding agreements. The Board focuses on strategy and policy. It does not manage day-to-day administration or service operations.
2. The Board develops, reviews and approves policies about DJA’s:
   • Strategic Plan.
   • governance.
   • financial management.
   • meeting the requirements of government bodies, including the ACNC, ASIC and AT
   • following relevant local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines
   • DJA’s Constitution.
   • funding requirements from the Commonwealth Government and other grant organisations.
3. The Board appoints the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO manages DJA’s day-to-day work, recruits and supervises staff and volunteers, puts the Strategic Plan into action, develops policies and procedures, and supports high-quality advocacy services for people with disabilities.
4. The Board may also end the employment of staff, including the CEO, in line with employment laws.
5. The Board works closely with the CEO. It gives the CEO appropriate support and resources to carry out their responsibilities.

Support for Board Members

1. DJA provides reasonable adjustments so Board members can carry out their role.
2. If needed, DJA arranges support workers from attendant care agencies to support Board members at meetings.
3. DJA pays or reimburses Board members’ travel costs for Board meetings and other official DJA activities.
4. DJA also pays or reimburses costs for meeting meals and approved professional development.

Duties of Board Members

1. Board members are legally responsible for DJA’s governance. Their role is like the role of company directors.
   • Applicants must complete and submit a Self-Nomination and Declaration for Appointment as a Casual Vacancy to the selection panel.
   • After appointment, each Board member completes a formal induction with the CEO. This is based on the Board Casual Vacancy Checklist and happens before the member attends their first meeting.
   • Board members are expected to attend meetings in person or online. Online meetings must allow members to communicate clearly with each other at the same time.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Full membership of DJA as a person with lived experience of disability
2. Knowledge of issues affecting people with disabilities and their families
3. Respect for the different contributions people make
4. Ability to work as part of a team and help the Board reach agreement
5. Strong networks in the disability community
6. Understanding/experience of diversity and inclusion, and a
7. Commitment to the process of continuous improvement.

Specific Skills, knowledge and/or experience in at least two of the following priorities identified to fill a Casual Vacancy.

1. Previous experience in Governance or as a member of a Committee of Management.
2. Attention to detail and good time management skills.
3. Commitment to ongoing professional development.
4. An understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Essential Requirements

1. Satisfactory Referee reports.
2. National Police Record check.
3. Working with Children Check.
4. Directors’ ID issued by the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS).

What you need to do

1. Read the above Board Casual Vacancy Position Description
2. Write an Application for Casual Vacancy on the Board of Directors for Disability Justice Australia in your own words which:
   • Describes your experience of each of the Key Selection Criteria and any two of the Specific Skills, knowledge and/or experience in the Position Description
   • Explains what you think your role would be as a member of the Board of Directors
   • Explains why you want to be a Board member.
3. Prepare an updated CV with names and contact details of 3 referees who will support your application.
4. Lodge your application and CV by 4.00 pm on 04 September 2026 by email to Info@dja.org.au or call 03 94740077 and arrange to hand deliver it to the Office or send it by post to:
   Disability Justice Australia
   Casual Vacancy Board Member Application
   2/28A Albert Street
   Preston, VIC 3072
    

Disability Justice Australia Inc Organisational Chart