Councillor Specialist Medical Review Council

The Specialist Medical Review Council (SMRC) is conducting a review into Signal to Noise Induced Hearing Loss.

To conduct this review, the SMRC requires the appointment of 2 councillors – an otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon) and a medical scientist specialising in audiology, who wish to apply their knowledge and contribute to a quality compensation system for veterans.

The successful candidates will be appointed as part-time Councillors to the SMRC by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. Appointments are made for a period of up to four years (eligible for reappointment).

The Specialist Medical Review Council (SMRC) is an independent statutory body, under the Veterans’ Affairs Portfolio, responsible to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

The role of the SMRC is to review decisions of the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) in relation to Statements of Principles. Statements of Principles are legislative instruments determined by the RMA which set out the causal factors for a medical condition which must exist for a connection to be established between Australian Defence Force service and the condition. These instruments are applied in determining liability for a medical condition.

The membership of the SMRC reflects the legislative intention to have contested decisions of the RMA reviewed by Medical Specialists or Medical Scientists who are experts in the injury or disease under review.

Eligibility

• All applicants external to DVA offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.

• Minimum 10 years’ experience as a medical practitioner or medical scientist in the field of otolaryngology/ENT surgery OR an audiologist with at least 10 years’ experience, a relevant post-graduate qualification and relevant experience in scientific research at a university of other research institution
• Demonstrated skills and experience in critically assessing scientific evidence in their respective specialist field
• Australian citizenship

The assessment process will be run in accordance with the Australian Government’s Appointment Framework. For more information about the role, please see the Candidate Information Pack.

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences and perspectives. DVA is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve and encourages applications from:

• Veterans and former Australian Defence Force members, whose skills and experience are highly valued across the APS
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• People with disability
• People who identify as LGBTQIA+
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

For any job-related information required after reading the selection documentation, please contact ***@dv**.gov.au.

Where to lodge Applications:

To apply go to https://dvajobs.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?event=jobs.home and complete the online application by 11.30pm AEST Thursday 17 September 2026.