13 January 2026
Join a working group updating national standards for bone marrow and stem cell transplants
Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC)
What’s this about?
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) is updating the technical pathology standard (the standard) that covers bone marrow and stem cell transplants. These transplants are critical for treatments for patients with serious blood cancers or blood disorders. It involves a patient receiving bone marrow or stem cells from a donor or from themselves.
The Commission is committed to engaging with patients, carers, consumers and community in the development, implementation and evaluation of our work. This occurs through advisory groups and committees, and bespoke consultation activities, tailored to the needs of programs and projects. This is reflected in our Strategic Plan which includes the priority empowered patients, carers and communities and a focus on health care being designed and delivered with patients and communities.
A technical Human Haemopoietic Progenitor Cells Working Group (Working Group) is being established to support the review of the standard. The standard outlines a safety and quality framework for the procedures for collection, storage, transport and issue of the bone marrow or stem cells transplants. One of the reasons the Commission is updating the standard are recent advances in technology and the evolution of global standards.
The Working Group have diverse expertise (including clinical and consumer experience) and will focus on improving the clarity, accessibility and quality in pathology of services related to the collection, storage, transport and issue of bone marrow or stem cells.
The Working Group is tasked with:
reviewing and redrafting the standard.
ensuring the revised standard addresses the safety and quality risks of bone marrow and stem cell transplants.
ensuring the revised standard is evidence-based and patient-centered.
What’s the opportunity?
Understanding lived experience of bone marrow and stem cell transplant services is essential to ensure the standard is practical, patient-centred and promotes safety and quality.
This Expression of Interest is for the Working Group Consumer Representative.
As a Working Group member, the Consumer Representative will:
Participate in discussions during Working Group meetings.
Review draft documents and provide feedback from a consumer viewpoint.
Advocate for clarity, equity, and safety in pathology standards.
Collaborate with clinicians, technical experts, and other stakeholders.
Note: The Working Group provides advice based on evidence but does not make final decisions regarding standard implementation.
Who should apply?
You’re encouraged to apply if you:
Have lived experience with bone marrow or stem cell transplant services as a patient or carer.
Are interested in contributing lived experience perspectives to national level health standards to improve the quality and safety of bone marrow and stem cell transplants in Australia.
Are confident to share your views and experiences as part of a broader collaboration and discussion.
Have some awareness of diverse consumer needs including cultural and accessibility considerations.
What you’ll need to do:
If selected, you’ll be asked to:
Join up to 5 online meetings (2-3 hours per meeting) between February 2026 and June 2026.
Read up to 1 hour of background material before meetings. Pre-reading to be shared with members one week prior to meetings.
Support the Working Group to identify a meeting schedule that best meets the member availability.
If required, attend a pre-meeting with the Commission’s staff and/or the Working Group chair to support the individual panel members to understand information, expectations and requirements of the meeting.
Share your views on the available evidence shared with the Working Group members and provide a consumer perspective
You’ll be paid the standard ACSQHC Committee Member remuneration rates/sitting fees that start at $398 for participation in a 0-2 hours teleconference.
Note: If the Working Group is asked to do any extra work outside of scheduled meetings, it will be paid at a standard hourly rate and be subject to agreed time limits.
Other details:
You’ll need access to a computer and reliable internet. If this is a barrier, please contact the CHF Consumer Engagement team: admin@chf.org.au
How to apply:
To be considered for appointment, you MUST complete an online application that will ask questions including:
1. Do you identify as;
Someone who has donated or received a bone marrow or cell therapy transplant
A carer or family member of someone who has received a bone marrow or stem therapy transplant
2. Why are you interested in joining the Working Group? (Maximum 200 words/900 characters)
Share what motivates you to be part of this group. You might want to include your personal experiences, interests, or perspectives related to the delivery of bone marrow transplants, stem cell therapy or similar services.
3. Confirm availability to join the first online Working Group meeting at 1:00pm – 3:00pm, 17th February 2026 (Note this the meeting time is referencing a VIC/NSW timezone or AEDT)
To submit your application:
Submission deadline: Midday 12:00PM AEDT (VIC/NSW/ACT/TAS), Monday 9th February 2026 (Note equivalent timezone below)
Adelaide: 11:30am
Brisbane: 11:00am
Darwin: 10:30am
Perth: 9:00am
Please note that applications will be reviewed as received and may be appointed prior to the deadline. Please apply as soon as possible to guarantee consideration for this role.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Questions?
If you have questions about applying, please email admin@chf.org.au
