Hardship Review Board Members (Non-Government)
Agency: Department of Customer Service - Hardship
Review Board
Closes: 12 June 2026, Friday at 10am
About the Role
The Hardship Review Board is seeking
applications from appropriately experienced members of the community to fill 2
recently created roles for non-government members.
The government has recently expanded the
membership and scope of the Hardship Review Board to include 2 non-government
members, with the Board’s role now also to provide policy advice to the Minister
on hardship in respect of fines, state debts and taxes.
The new members will bring the benefits of
their lived experience and expertise in the community to strengthen the Board’s
decision-making capabilities and enable it to provide informed advice to the Minister
on matters related to the Board’s remit.
About the Hardship Review Board
Revenue NSW has multiple options available
to individuals experiencing hardship to help them resolve their fines, fees or
taxes. These include allowing more time to pay, reducing the amount of the
debt, writing off or waiving the amount completely or undertaking activities as
an alternative to payment.
When an application to access one of these options is declined by Revenue NSW
individuals can apply to the Hardship Review Board to have that decision
reviewed.
The 2 new non-government members will join delegated representatives from each
of the Department of Customer Service, Department of Communities and Justice
and the Treasury.
Individuals can apply to the Board if
Revenue NSW has declined an application:
To write off an overdue fine, fee or tax
For more time to pay a fine, for or tax
To approve a work and development order for a fine
The Board will consider an application
based on the individual’s financial, medical and/or domestic circumstances to
determine whether repaying the debt will place the individual in hardship.
Individuals apply in writing to the Board,
providing evidence in support of their application.The Board is empowered by
legislation to alter the decisions made by Revenue NSW and direct it to, in
full or in part, write off or waive an amount, extend the time to pay the debt
or (for fines) permit the applicant to resolve the debt through completion of a
Work and Development Order.
The Board does not, however, consider the
validity of a fine, fee or tax as there are separate pathways available for
individuals to lodge an objection, have the matter reviewed or heard in an
appropriate court.
The Roles
The Board meets regularly to consider
applications from individuals who have had certain decisions made by Revenue
NSW about their fines, fees or taxes reviewed. Meetings are generally virtual and applications are considered in the
absence of the applicant.
A Board member’s role is to review the
information provided by the individual to determine if payment of the fine, fee
or tax would place them or their immediate family in unreasonable hardship.
Decisions are made based on the consensus
of all Board members.
The new non-government members will also provide
input into the formation of policy advice to the Minister on reform relating to
fines, state debt and taxation laws.
The Hardship Review Board is classified as
a D5 level Board under the Classification and Remuneration Framework for NSW Government Boards and Committees. In line with this framework, remuneration for
the non-government members has been set at $1,000 per meeting with board
members being appointed for a term of up to two (2) years.
About you
Non-Government Board members must have
qualifications or experience in one or more of the following areas
Experience of having worked in the community welfare or social services sector assisting individuals in relation to financial hardship matters
NOTE: This is a mandatory requirement for at least one of the non-government board members.
An understanding of the fines, debts and taxes administered by Revenue NSW.
In depth knowledge of issues related the various types of hardship that may be experienced by people dealing with Revenue NSW.
A demonstrated understanding of the community members who deal with Revenue NSW across the fines, debt and taxation business streams.
Experience in supporting people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Experience in the development of social and financial hardship policy advice.
How to apply
Apply by clicking on link below or Send a written application detailing your claims against
the above selection criteria to
[email protected]
Applications close Friday 12 June 2026
For more information please contact:
[email protected]
Salary Grade Board Member D5, with the payrate for this role being $1000 per meeting attended
Closing Date: 12th June 2026, Friday at 10am
Careers at Department of Customer Service
A career at the Department of
Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform
that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital
transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.
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We
want you to bring your best self to this application process. If you have any support or access needs that
may
require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in this selection process
(including an alternate format of the application form) please contact
[email protected].
For more information, please visit
Information
on some of the different types of disabilities
Information on adjustments
available for the recruitment process