The Australian Government has introduced legislation to parliament to establish a Commonwealth Parole Board (the board). The legislation has passed the House of Representatives and is being considered by the Senate. If the legislation is passed by parliament, the board will be independent from government and will decide whether federal offenders are released into the community on parole, and the conditions under which they are released. The government is seeking experts from a range of professions and experience, including those with backgrounds in law, community safety, victims of crime advocacy and other relevant fields, to sit on the board as sessional members. The board will begin operating in the second half of 2026, subject to the passage of the legislation. The board is expected to have: one full-time chair one full-time deputy chair a range of sessional members. The key duties of the position include The board will make decisions about federal offenders under Part IB of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth), including: the granting of parole, and the conditions on which parole is granted the granting of early release on licence, and the conditions on which a licence is granted dealing with breaches of parole and licence conditions dealing with applications from parolees seeking permission to travel overseas granting or revoking a release order for forensic detainees (people who are unfit to be tried for a federal offence or who are acquitted because of mental illness). The board will be established as a secondary statutory structure within the Attorney-General's portfolio. The board will be supported by a dedicated team of staff with policy, legal and other relevant expertise from the Attorney-General's Department (the department). Applicants should be aware that the board will engage with potentially confronting material. Ideal candidates will demonstrate resilience, sound emotional intelligence and a high degree of self-awareness and self-care. The department will establish measures to proactively support the wellbeing of board members. Applicants should be aware that there may be changes to the functions, duties and powers of the roles described in this document once parliament has considered the legislation to establish the board.
