16 April 2026
Expert Advisory Group (Population Based Screening Framework update)
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Expression of Interest due date: 4th May 2026
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.
What’s this about?
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (The Department) is leading an update of the Population Based Screening Framework. The framework is a national guide which supports decisions on introducing new population-based screening programs for diseases or conditions in Australia.
The framework update will help ensure it aligns with international best practice and addresses emerging screening approaches such as genomic-screening technology, and risk level-based screening.
What is population- based screening?
Population-based screening is offered to people in an identified target population, such as a specific age or risk group, who do not have any symptoms of the disease or condition being screened for. The goal is to check for early changes, warning signs, or indicators that someone may be at higher risk of developing a disease. Finding these early means treatment or support can start sooner. This helps reduce how often the disease occurs, how serious it becomes, and the number of people who become very unwell or die from it in the community.
Population based screening programs you may be aware of in Australia include, but are not limited to:
bowel cancer screening
breast cancer screening
cervical cancer screening
lung cancer screening
To ensure the framework update is shaped by a diversity of expertise including health consumers, the Department is establishing an Expert Advisory Group (Advisory Group) including academic, clinical, technical and consumer representative members. The Advisory Group will provide advice to the Screening Policy Officials Committee (Officials Committee) who are leading the project. The Officials Committee is made up of senior staff from Commonwealth and state and territory governments.
The Advisory Group will provide advice on issues including (but not limited to):
New and emerging screening issues and technologies
Screening definitions
Criteria to guide assessment of screening programs
National and international evidence based best practice in relation to population screening
Public guidance to support the development of screening proposals
Consumer perspectives and engagement.
Learn more:
What’s the opportunity?
The Department is recruiting two consumer representatives with experience or awareness of population-based screening programs. The focus of these roles is on broad community perspectives, not representation of a specific diagnosed condition.
The Advisory Group consumer representatives will bring their lived experience as health consumers and consumer representatives together with a strong understanding of community needs to ensure that discussions and recommendations consider what matters to consumers.
As an Advisory Group member, you will be expected to:
Review evidence and meeting papers provided to the group (including summaries of research findings from clinical research and systematic reviews).
Attend 2-3 online Advisory Group meetings between May 2026 – April 2027
Meetings will be up to 2 hours and held during business hours on weekdays
The final meeting schedule will be determined in collaboration with Officials Committee and Advisory Group members
Pre-reading and preparation work will be provided no less than 1 week prior to meetings
Access to reliable internet and a laptop is required to participate in these meetings. If this is a barrier, please contact the CHF Consumer Engagement team admin@chf.org.au.
Contribute and raise ideas to enhance how lived experience and health consumer perspectives are considered in the Advisory Group discussions and recommendations.
Engage in discussions with policy, clinical and technical experts.
Provide written and verbal feedback from the consumer perspective to contribute to the Advisory Group scope of work.
Note: The Advisory Group provides advice based on evidence but does not make decisions regarding the updates and implementation of the Population Based Screening Framework.
Remuneration
Remuneration will be provided for meeting sitting fees, pre-reading and preparation work and out-of-session work.
If the Advisory Group is asked to complete work outside of scheduled meetings, it will be paid at the standard hourly rate and limited to agreed time limits.
To receive payment, the successful consumer representatives will need to provide the Department with personal information including bank details, tax file number (TFN), superannuation details and sign an Instrument of Appointment Acceptance, and Conflict of Interest statement.
Who should apply:
You’re encouraged to apply if you:
Have an interest in population-based screening programs and their focus, who they reach and their impact on the health of the Australian population.
Or someone you care for has either:
participated in a population-based screening program (including but not limited to breast cancer, bowel cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer screening programs).
or
considered/explored participating in a population-based screening program.
Have an interest in informing how population-based screening programs in Australia are prioritised and designed.
Have strong written and verbal communication skills.
Have some experience with health policy or guideline development e.g., reviewing evidence or participating in consultations [preferred but not essential].
Have been involved in consumer engagement activities such as advisory groups, committees, or consultations (preferred but not essential).
The Department values diverse perspectives from people of different identities, cultures, and locations, and encourages applications from consumers in regional and rural areas.
Conflict of interest: Please note that submissions from consumers who work for or have a vested (as lobbyist or investor) commercial interest that may impact population screening decisions and recommendations (e.g. employee of pharmaceutical or health technology companies) are not eligible to apply.
How to apply:
To be considered for appointment, you MUST complete an online application that will ask questions including:
Why are you interested in joining the Expert Advisory Group for the Population Based Screening Framework? (Maximum 200 words/900 characters). Share what motivates you to be part of this group. You might want to include your personal experiences and interests related to population-based screening programs.
In your view, what are the three most important health consumer considerations you think the Advisory Group need to consider when making recommendations for population-based screening priorities? (Multiple choice question)
If possible, please share up to 4 of your most recent and relevant consumer engagement activity experience to support your application (200 words/900 characters)
Confirm your awareness the appointment is until April 2027 and your in-principle availability to attend up to 2-3 online meetings during business hours on weekdays.
To submit your application:
Submission deadline: Monday 4 May 2026, 1:00 PM (Melbourne/Sydney time zone)
Adelaide/Darwin: 12:30am
Perth: 11:00am
Brisbane: 1:00pm
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.
Questions?
If you have questions about applying, please email admin@chf.org.au.
