Classification: Board/Committee/Council

The Minister for Education (Minister), Ms Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, invites applications from eligible and suitably qualified people for appointment to the position of Chair of the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS). The BSSS is the statutory authority established under the Board of Senior Secondary Studies Act 1997 (the Act) that oversees the accreditation, assessment and certification of senior secondary education in the ACT. The BSSS provides Year 12 curriculum, assessment, and certification services to ACT government and non-government schools and seven international schools located in Papua Recent Guinea, Indonesia, and China.

The BSSS Chair performs a key leadership role in the ACT education system and provides strategic leadership in the development and delivery of senior secondary curriculum, assessment, and certification across ACT school sectors. The BSSS Chair reports to the Minister and is responsible for the leadership and governance of the BSSS, guiding Board discussions and decisions with integrity and equity consistent with the objects of the Act.

The BSSS convenes four times each year to approve policies and procedures, consider reports and to monitor progress on the Board’s Strategic Plan.

Job description





Applications for the position of Chair are invited from people with experience, expertise and qualifications consistent with the Skills Matrix in the attached BSSS Chairperson Pack.

These include, but are not limited to, demonstrated capability in strategic leadership and vision; board and statutory authority governance; regulatory, risk and performance oversight; senior‑level stakeholder, community and Ministerial engagement; and expertise in senior secondary education, assessment and certification or related education and regulatory environments. In addition to presiding over BSSS meetings, the Chair attends regular meetings with the Minister, education sector heads, Executive Director of the BSSS Office, and principals.

The ACT Government supports a diverse and inclusive workplace. People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and people who identify as LGBTIQA+.

The position of Chair is expected to commence in early February 2027 for a three-year term.

How To apply: For further information please visit www.jobs.act.gov.au

Date applications close: 16 October 2026

Contact name: Genevra Donne Ph: 02 •••• •277 Email: [email protected]

📌 Chairperson (Canberra)
🏢 Education Directorate
📍 Canberra