Closes: 16 October 2026
Classification: Board/Committee/Council
Salary: $35,440 (Effective 1 November 2026 under Determination 14 of 2026) plus superannuation
Position No: Chairperson
Directorate: Independent Statutory Offices including boards, tribunals and committees
Advertised (Gazettal date): 02 October 2026
Contact Officer: Genevra Donne on
[email protected] or 02 6205 4277
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 New 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.
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
Appointments will be made on the basis of merit and the appointee’s ability to exercise the functions of the office in accordance with applicable ACT legislation and governance requirements.
Required To ensure the BSSS Chair possesses the skill sets and experience required to provide strong impartial advice to the Minister, applicants are to provide:
- a current curriculum vitae
- a statement addressing the required executive capabilities, skills and experience, and
- the name and contact details of two skilled referees.
The BSSS Chairperson Pack (including the Skills Matrix) provides further information. Applications will be kept on a register for 12 months and the Minister may use this register to appoint new members should vacancies occur. Selection may be based on application and referee report only.
For enquiries, please contact Genevra Donne, Senior Director, Governance, on 6205 4277 or
[email protected]. The advertisement lists the required documentation that should be provided with your application.
Applications should be submitted directly via email to
[email protected] before the advertised closing date.
Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.
The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.
Career Interest Categories
Boards, Committees and Tribunals
📌 Chairperson (Canberra)
🏢 Act Government
📍 Canberra