A government board position: Why and how to gain one

When considering a board appointment most people overlook the government sector in favour of commercial or not-for-profit boards or committees. Whilst it is true that a government appointment is not for everyone, I think discounting these sorts of opportunities entirely is a huge mistake. This article explains why and, if you are interested in a government board position, how to find one. Even if a government appointment is not for you I hope the advice below is going to benefit your board career. Read on.

Why you should consider a Government board position?

For many of you, the answer will be obvious. For others of you on the fence let me encourage you to at least explore the volume, scope, value and experience these roles have to offer. You might be surprised how well-suited you are to a government position.

Many people I talk to have concerns regarding the suitability for a government board position. This is a reasonable concern and a sensible one to consider. For some, working within or governing the bureaucracy of government is not their happy place. Equally, governing an organisation that doesn’t have the same freedoms or decision-making capacity as a commercial or NfP can be frustrating for some. 

It is worth noting, however, that not all government board positions are the same. In fact, they often wildly differ in terms of responsibilities, oversight, sectors and geography. Additionally, serving on a government board can allow you to employ significant leadership, manage multiple-dollar budgets, develop new relationships, accumulate strategic experience, and gain demonstrated public sector experience. These all hold value to future board and executive career goals and opportunities, and in many cases, they can also be leveraged into more commercial board appointments.

Reason #1: Government boards are diverse

In Australia, there are hundreds and hundreds of federal, state and local Government boards, advisory boards, committees and subcommittees. They are representative across a wide range of industries, including:

• Agriculture
• Media/Arts
• Communication
• Defence
• Education
• Employment
• Environment
• Finance
• Foreign Affairs & Trade
• Health
• Industry
• Infrastructure & Development
• Social Services
• Treasury
• Veteran’s Affairs
  

These government boards and committees are diverse in terms of their functions, form, size and how they operate. They encompass boards of government trading enterprises, marketing boards, regulatory boards, professional registration boards, area health services boards, trust boards, plus advisory councils and committees.

Reason #2 Government board vacancies are publicly available

Federal Boards and Committees

This Australian Government directory website is incredibly useful: boards-and-other-entities. It lists 1200+ Australian government boards and other entities. Boards are categorised as bodies covered by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013; Ministerial Advisory Committees; Review Committees where appointments are made by a Minister or the Cabinet or Commonwealth statutory authorities. Australian Government entities are anything that isn’t otherwise categorised as a portfolio, organisation or board. Typically, they include things like panels, funds, holdings, and Pty Ltd Commonwealth companies. 

According to the Gender Balance on Australian Government Boards Report for 2022-23, 2,208 new board positions were filled across Federal Government Boards in 2023 alone. 

This directory site is invaluable for those looking for a government board position. It provides a listing page for every board, including every board position and the names of those currently holding those positions. Take, for example, the listing for Airservices Australia.

You can see that there is currently a vacancy for a non-executive board member and the chair. You should also note that each member’s tenure start and end dates are included. This information allows you to prepare before the next board position becomes available. This will enable you to connect with current board members and ingratiate yourself into the board recruitment process once it begins. Frankly, if you want one of these government positions, you need to start conversations with these people.

Even if you don’t want a government board position, you should consider connecting with some of these people. They most likely sit on non-government boards within the same or similar industries. They are likely to be influential and highly connected within those industries. More importantly, they are also the people that recruiters call when looking for recommendations for board candidates within a particular industry.

State & Territory Board and Committees

Each state and territory has boards and committees that offer new sources for board appointments. I have included links to the relevant pages on the different State and Territory Government websites to find out what state-based government board opportunities exist. If you are interested in finding a state government board role, register your interest on these websites to receive notifications when there is a vacancy for which you might qualify.

• NSW government board positions
• VIC government board positions
• QLD government board positions 
• SA government board positions 
• WA government board positions
• TAS government board positions 
• ACT government board positions 
• NT government board positions

Local Government Committees

Finally, let’s consider local government committees. These committees are established to consider specific aspects of a local government’s operation, such as finance, works, community services, or planning. They focus more on the particularities of the local council. 

Local government committees can be worthwhile for both new and experienced non-executive directors. Local government positions are often remunerated, offering the opportunity to service your local community and strengthen your professional network. While they can be more challenging to find, they usually have fewer resources to source candidates, leaving you with less competition for the positions.  They usually prefer local committee members, and vacancies are listed on their websites.

Still not interested in a government board position?

Reason #3: Remuneration

Many government board positions are remunerated, particularly at the federal and state levels and often for Audit and Risk Committees of Local Government. At the very least, your expenses will be compensated.

Reason #4 Low Risk

Government board positions do not carry the same level of liability and risks that directors face on corporate (public or private), non for profit or trustee boards.

Reason #5 Gain experience & boost your profile

If you have no board experience, a government board position may be a promising pathway to gain some. Your industry experience and expert skills are usually weighted more than any prior board and governance experience. Headhunters also target people on government boards when looking for candidates for paid or more significant board positions.

Reason #6 Build your board network

As mentioned earlier, the people on government boards and committees are usually experts and influencers in your areas of interest or industry. As such, they can be of value to your professional and board network.

Conclusion

While some government board positions may be more challenging to find and apply for, they typically have fewer candidates vying for them. The sheer number and variety of roles available are another reason why you should consider a government board position.

A government board position can provide additional benefits, including expanding professional networks and contributing to an industry, sector or cause, and of course, an appointment will look good on your CV. In addition, these positions often offer remuneration, providing a financial incentive to serve on a board. Furthermore, government board positions carry lower levels of risk and liability compared to corporate or non-profit boards, making them an attractive option for those who are cautious about potential director risks.

Overall, I think government boards are really exciting. They are not nearly as bureaucratic as you might think they are and offer terrific opportunities.

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