Informed financial consent means you are told the full cost of your care before you agree to treatment. This includes what Medicare pays, what your insurer pays, and what you pay. Always ask for a written estimate, check all providers, and take time before you agree.
What is informed financial consent?
Informed financial consent means you are given clear information about the cost of your care before you agree to it.
This should include:
the total cost of treatment
what Medicare will cover
what your private health insurance will cover
what you will need to pay yourself
Why this matters
Clear cost information helps you make safe and informed decisions about your care.
What costs should you be told about?
You should be told about all expected costs before treatment, including:
surgeon or specialist fees
anaesthetist fees
assistant surgeon fees
hospital or facility fees
diagnostic tests or imaging
follow up care
Sometimes, more than one provider will bill you separately. You have the right to understand the full picture before you agree.
When should you receive this information?
You should receive cost information before treatment.
This gives you time to:
ask questions
compare options
decide if you want to proceed
However, in emergencies, it may not be possible to provide full cost information in advance.
Financial consent is not the same as clinical consent
You may be asked to sign consent forms. It is important to understand there are two types:
Clinical consent: covers risks, benefits, and treatment options
Financial consent: covers cost
You should receive both.
What questions should you ask before agreeing to care?
Ask these questions:
What is the total cost of this treatment?
How much will I pay out of pocket?
Are there other doctors involved?
Will they charge separately?
What Medicare item numbers apply?
What will my health fund cover?
Can I have this in writing?
What to do before you agree to treatment
Take these steps:
Ask for a written cost estimate
Ask about all providers involved
Contact your private health insurer
Check what Medicare will cover
Take time before you decide
You have the right to pause and ask questions.
What if you receive an unexpected bill?
If you were not clearly informed about costs, you can act:
Contact the provider and ask for an explanation
Check your insurer and Medicare details
Ask for a review or itemised bill
If the issue is not resolved, you can escalate, in Western Australia, you can contact:
Health and Disability Services Complaints Office
Care Opinion Australia
Health Consumers’ Council WA for advocacy support
Key takeaways
Before you agree to care, you should know what it will cost you.
If you do not understand the cost, you cannot give informed financial consent.
Ask questions. Get it in writing. Take your time.
Learn how to advocate for yourself or someone you care for
If you struggle with asking questions of your healthcare practitioner (GP, Dentist, Specialist, Pharmacist ect.) join our next FREE workshop ‘Stronger Voices, Better Care’ in-person or online.
Our team works hard for the people of WA, we’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of West Aussies and working hard to make patients, carers, loved ones – all health consumers – are at the centre of our healthcare system to make healthcare fair.
We’d like you to meet Clare Mullen, Executive Director of HCCWA
How long have you worked at HCCWA
Since September 2018, so seven and a half years now.
What inspired you to work at HCCWA?
I had the chance to work on a project which led to setting up the Health Engagement Network. In the course of that work, I came to the realisation that the next wave of transformation in health and healthcare will be – and needs to be – consumer and community-led. When a job in the Engagement Team was advertised, I applied and was successful.
I’m so grateful that the founders of HCC – both consumer leaders and community members, as well as the politicians and public servants of the day – recognised the need for, and committed to, establishing HCC as an independent voice for the community on all aspects of health and healthcare.
Describe what you do at HCCWA
I’m now privileged to be the Executive Director – in that role I take care of the organisation, making sure we have the resources to do what the community requires of us; I take care of the team, making sure everyone has the conditions and the support they need to do the great work they do with and alongside the community; and I play a part in championing and amplifying consumer perspectives on every aspect of health and healthcare. I also spend time building and nurturing relationships with consumer reps and leaders, as well as the many organisations and stakeholders that we work with to achieve a more compassionate, equitable and safe health system for all.
What do you think about HCCWA and the work we do?
I feel so lucky to work in an organisation where everyone works so hard and passionately every day to deliver better health outcomes and experiences for everyone across WA. I’m also inspired and energised by the efforts of the thousands of people in our community who show up to speak up for consumers on committees, working groups, as well as in clinics and hospitals to make sure that more people have a fairer and safe experience in WA health services.
I love the commitment to improving equity – that is, recognising that some people have a different experience in the health system because they either belong to a particular group, or have particular characteristics. Everyone at HCC is committed to making healthcare fair in WA.
How do you see your work helping to improve outcomes and experiences for everyone in WA?
At HCC we’re all working hard to make sure that consumer perspectives are heard in every room where decisions are made about health or healthcare. Be that in your appointment with a doctor where you’re deciding on a treatment plan, or at a Board meeting deciding on a health service’s budget, or informing statewide policy on safe high quality care.
Ever met anyone famous?
Yes! In one year I met Dr Patch Adams, Germaine Greer, and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair when I was organising a health conference in the UK. I was awestruck 🙂
Quick Read: Healthcare can move quickly. Information can be hard to process in the moment. Speaking up helps us understand our care, make informed decisions, and reduce risk.
When you need care, speaking up matters
Appointments are often short, information can come at us very quickly. It is a common feeling to leave an appointment and realise later there were questions we didn’t ask because we didn’t feel confident in the moment, we don’t want to be seen as being difficult or a bother. But speaking up is one of the most practical ways to protect our health.
Why active participation matters
When we ask questions, we improve our understanding of what is happening, and clear understanding supports informed decision making. This is also known as self-advocacy. Self-advocacy and being active and engaged in our care can be:
asking for the information in plain language, printed out or re-explained
checking what happens next in the sequence of care
raising concerns when something doesn’t feel right
Healthcare works best when we, the ‘healthcare consumers’, and our clinicians share information clearly and make decisions together.
This does not mean the responsibility sits only with us. Health services and clinicians also have a duty to communicate clearly, support informed decisions, and respond to concerns.
What self-advocacy can look like
Self-advocacy does not need to be confrontational, often it’s just simple, direct questions, such as:
What is this test for?
What are my options?
What happens next?
What side effects could this have?
Who do I contact if the symptoms change?
Can what is happening to me be explained another way?
Remember, it is also totally ok to bring a support person to an appointment if you need one. A family member, friend, or carer can help us remember information and ask follow-up questions.
Another practical step to make sure you understand everything is to repeat the information back for clarity. You can say something like:
“I want to check I understand. You are asking me to do X, then Y, then come back in two weeks. Is that correct?”
This is an easy way to reduce confusion and catch any misunderstandings early.
When to speak up and how to prepare
Speaking up can feel difficult, especially when we’re unwell or stressed, however it is important to speak up during an appointment or after an appointment when:
we don’t understand what we have been told
symptoms change or get worse
something does not seem right
we feel pressured to agree to something and we may not feel ready
we feel like we’re not being truly heard
we need an interpreter, support person, or more accessible information
Here are some easy actions for the next conversation with a doctor, physio, pharmacist or other healthcare professional:
Before an appointment write down the top three questions or concerns
During the appointment
ask for plain language if something is unclear ‘explain it like I’m 5’
take notes or bring someone to support you and help understand and remember the conversation
repeat back key information to check our understanding is correct
After an appointment
write down next steps, including tests, referrals, and follow-up dates
If something does not feel right:
raise it clearly and calmly
seek a second opinion if needed
contact a consumer advocacy or support service if you need system navigation
Many of us have had to advocate for ourselves or someone we care for, this is common. We shouldn’t have to do everything alone; health services have responsibilities to ensure you understand what is happening and what your healthcare rights are.
Our voice remains one of the most effective tools in our healthcare. Speaking up helps us stay informed, reduce risk, and take part in decisions about our care.
We’re excited to share that we have three special events coming up in April with Dr Margaret Faux, Australia’s leading expert in medical billing and author of the newly released How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip Off.
Book Club with Dr Margaret Faux – Tuesday 7 April
Join us for a Q&A with Margaret, hear about her new publication, and learn more about the rules and realities of medical billing, Medicare charges, rebates, bulk billing and private specialist fees and more!
Margaret has also generously offered her time to run a workshop for our consumer network!
This session will help consumers and carers increase their confidence in understanding all things medical billing, navigating Medicare, understanding private healthcare costs, and how to identify if Medicare has been billed for services that did not take place.
This is a supportive, practical space to build skills for making informed decisions and asking clearer questions.
Workshop for Staff Supporting Consumers – Wednesday 8 April
To complement our consumer workshop, we’re also hosting a specialised session for staff who support people with questions or concerns about healthcare costs and billing.
Ideal for advocates, community workers and financial counsellors supporting people at risk of being overcharged, confused by fees, or facing unexpected medical bills.
There is a $25 charge to assist with the costs of hosting this event; however, we don’t want cost to be an issue! Please email engagement@hconc.org.au if cost will be a barrier to attending.
Our team works hard for the people of WA, we’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of West Aussies and working hard to make patients, carers, loved ones – all health consumers – are at the centre of our healthcare system to make healthcare fair.
We’d like you to meet Kerrie, Senior Advocate
How long have you worked at HCCWA
I started working at HCCWA in August, 2017.
What inspired you to work at HCCWA?
I spent a decade working in biological science within a hospital system, and while I valued the work, I felt drawn to a profession where I could support people more directly. After completing a Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling), I moved into counselling and worked in private practice, and for a charity organisation, passionate to be starting a new career working alongside people in human services.
When a part-time Advocate role became available at HSA, Advocacy—especially in health—felt like the perfect blend of my curiosity for health science and my commitment to helping others. I quickly realised this was where my skills and values truly aligned. The work has let me build strong, respectful relationships and has allowed me the privilege to advocate for fair outcomes for consumers. It’s an organisation grounded in justice for equitable health outcomes, and I am proud to make advocacy at HSA my sole focus over the years
Describe what you do at HCCWA
I am an Individual Advocate who supports consumers of the WA health system to ensure their rights under the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights are upheld, their voices are heard, and barriers or inequities are addressed. I also guide and empower people to advocate for themselves by providing tailored advice, clear information, system navigation support, and appropriate referrals, while constructively reminding services of their person-centred care obligations when needed.
What do you think about HCCWA and the work we do?
HCCWA is a great place to work and we do, great work!! We play a vital role in paving the way towards a fair and equitable health care system in WA. At HCCWA, we believe this is something that can be brought about and we are working hard to achieve it.
There are no other services providing free, individual advocacy across the entire state health system and our scope is wide and varied. Our service is both unique and essential, and it has contributed to meaningful improvements in health outcomes for many of the consumers we’ve supported.
How do you see your work helping to improve outcomes and experiences for everyone in WA?
I see my role as an Individual Advocate as helping people understand their healthcare rights and how to confidently exercise them. Many have shared that they felt genuinely heard—sometimes for the first time. We prioritise a truly person-centred, pure-advocacy approach, taking the time to ensure each individual feels supported and respected. My aim is that each person leaves our service feeling more informed, empowered, and capable than when they first engaged with us.
Ever met anyone famous?
I had a great long chat with John Farnham over the phone, when I donated to telethon back in the late 80’s. Before that, my biggest brush with fame was meeting Fat Cat when I was presented with an award for the “Best decorated bike”!
Our team works hard for the people of WA, we’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of West Aussies and working hard to make patients, carers, loved ones – all health consumers – are at the centre of our healthcare system to make healthcare fair.
We’d like you to meet Caz, Advocacy Program Officer.
How long have you worked at HCCWA
Around 8 months now.
What inspired you to work at HCCWA?
Being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 4, myself and my family have had to navigate the public health system for over 50 years. I have previously worked in the private health sector for many many years. I knew about HCCWA from my various advocacy and committee roles. When I saw the role advertised I applied straight away, no hesitation.
Describe what you do at HCCWA
My role is Advocacy Program Officer. I provide administrative support to our Advocacy Team, along with database administration.
What do you think about HCCWA and the work we do?
Very special and unique. Its very rare to find a job that you love, but HCCWA is an amazing workplace. Everyone is very supportive, caring and committed and working towards the same goal, empowering consumers through their health journey.
How do you see your work helping to improve outcomes and experiences for everyone in WA?
Often, in Advocacy, I am the first person a consumer speaks with. My goal is that, by the end of our conversation, they feel heard, respected, and validated. While I may be that first point of contact, HCCWA is far more than one person — it is a dedicated team committed to ensuring consumer voices are not simply acknowledged, but truly listened to and acted upon.
Ever met anyone famous?
INXS. I had the opportunity to not only sit front row at their Swing Tour but to also go back stage, meet the band and attend a party with them. It was such an incredible experience. I have also met Jack Thompson, he’s a true gentleman. I went to primary and high school with David Ngoombujarra (AKA David Sloan). David was a fantastic friend, an all round nice guy with a killer smile. So many wonderful memories of David.
We will, as we have for many years, keep our office open on the Australia Day public holiday.
The current date of Australia Day carries different meanings for different people. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, January 26 marks invasion, dispossession, and ongoing harm. That harm still shapes health outcomes, trust in systems, and lived experience today. We recognise this reality and we choose to act in this small way and work on January 26.
On the Australia Day public holiday, our office remains open. Staff can choose to work and take another day off, or take the public holiday if they prefer. This approach has been in place for several years and staff feedback has been positive.
We make this choice as an act of solidarity.
We acknowledge Australia’s achievements; we count ourselves lucky to live, work and play here.
And so we know that two things can be true at once: gratitude for all there is to celebrate about Australia, including being the home of the world’s oldest living culture. And recognising the pain of being expected to celebrate on a day that marks dispossession and colonisation.
Our role as healthcare advocates As advocates for health consumers and a fair healthcare system across Western Australia, we see every day the discrimination and exclusion that Aboriginal people experience in our health system. As an organisation that was established to provide a voice for the community on all aspects of health, we take our responsibility to support Aboriginal leadership and to listen and amplify Aboriginal voices on an issue that impacts the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people.
Our decision about January 26 reflects our broader commitment to equity, cultural safety, and truth telling. It aligns with the work we do every day.
Why we talk about this publicly We share this decision to encourage reflection and discussion. We believe organisations – particularly organisations grounded in lived experience can help to shape culture through everyday choices and actions.
This small act does not replace deeper action but sits alongside our advocacy, partnerships, and support for Aboriginal health consumers throughout the year.
Key dates and concepts for context
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on this continent for more than 65,000 years supported by current archaeological evidence.
1606. Dutch explorers recorded the first known European landfall.
1788. The British flag was raised at Sydney Cove on January 26.
1938. Aboriginal leaders marked January 26 as a Day of Mourning to protest dispossession and exclusion.
1988. Large-scale protests during the Bicentenary drew national attention to Aboriginal rights and land justice.
1994. January 26 became a national public holiday across all states and territories.
Something to think about on Australia day, wherever you may be, however you choose to mark the day, it always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
WA Health is introducing a new Electronic Medical Record (EMR) across public hospitals and health services in Western Australia.
This is the largest clinical and digital transformation WA Health has ever undertaken, and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve how care is delivered across the state.
An EMR is a secure digital version of your health record. It brings together information about your care in WA public hospitals – such as test results, medicines and treatment plans – so clinicians can access the information they need to support your care, when they need it. It also includes smart clinical features, such as alerts for allergies or medicine interactions, that help support safer care.
The EMR will also include a portal for patients. The intent is to provide a secure online tool that could, over time, offer access to selected health information (such as parts of a health record, appointments and results) and support people to be more involved in their care and in supporting their family members. Final features and timing will be determined as the program progresses.
What this means for consumers and carers
For consumers and carers, the EMR is intended to support care that feels more joined-up and consistent across WA. It can reduce the need to repeat your story, help avoid delays caused by missing information and support safer care by helping clinicians spot important information sooner. It will also make it easier to access your own health information.
Why we’re asking for consumer input now
The EMR Program has been working closely with the Health Consumers’ Council and the EMR Program Consumer Reference Group for some time to establish strong foundations for consumer input into the Program. This work has helped shape how consumers are involved and has informed key principles around safety, equity, privacy and trust, including the development of the EMR Program’s Consumer Charter. As the Program moves into more detailed decision-making, it is now important to broaden consumer involvement and build a large, diverse pool of consumers who can contribute across different areas of care. This helps ensure decisions reflect the experiences of people with different health needs, backgrounds and interactions with the WA health system. The EMR Program is currently working through important decisions about how care is delivered across WA, including where it makes sense for things to be done in the same way everywhere. To support this, the Program is setting up a number of Clinical Advisory Groups, working groups and committees. These are groups of clinicians and other experts who look at specific areas of care and help guide decisions about how the EMR should support safe, high-quality care across the system. Many of the topics these groups consider affect how people experience care in real life – for example, how care teams work together, and what it’s like to move between hospitals and services. Because these decisions will shape how care works for many years to come, it’s important they are informed by the experiences of patients, carers and families. Your input helps ensure decisions are grounded in what actually works well, what’s difficult, and what could be improved, so care can be delivered more consistently and in ways that better support people across WA.
About the Expression of Interest
We are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from individuals who are experienced in representing consumer perspectives to join a pool for the following roles:
Standing member of an EMR Clinical Advisory Group (CAG), or other relevant committee or working group
Participation in short-term or topic-specific meetings, where your lived experience or expertise is particularly relevant.
The Expression of Interest Form highlights the different clinical focus areas we may need input on, and you can nominate up to five.
Who we’re looking to hear from
We are seeking people of different ages, cultural backgrounds and life experiences, people living in metropolitan, regional and remote areas, carers and family members, and people with experience of different health services and conditions. Having a wide range of perspectives helps ensure the EMR works well for the many different people who use WA Health services.
You don’t need any technical knowledge. What matters is your experience of care as a patient, carer or family member, and your willingness to share that experience in a way that helps improve care for others.
Time Commitment: Some people may be invited to join a Clinical Advisory Group with a regular (likely monthly) commitment, while others may be invited to take part in short-term or topic-specific discussions where their experience is particularly relevant. The Program is still evolving, so topics, timing and levels of involvement will vary. Commitment expectations will be discussed in advance of your appointment.
Support: Consumers can elect to receive additional support before, after and between meetings. This may include pre- and post-meeting briefings and cross-committee meetings to access peer support and learning. The Program will consider reasonable adjustments to support accessibility, communication and participation needs, and encourages consumers to discuss any barriers or support needs with the HCC team.
Online/ in-person attendance: Most meetings will be held online and are designed to be accessible using common devices. If access to technology or confidence using online tools may affect your ability to participate, please contact HCC to discuss available support or reasonable adjustments.
Consumer participation payment: Participation is paid in line with agreed consumer payment arrangements ($75/hour for consumer advisory roles and $37.50/hour for consumer representative roles), with details provided before any involvement is confirmed.
What happens after you submit an EOI
Everyone who submits an EOI will receive an acknowledgement. EOIs will be reviewed to identify people whose experience and interests best match current and upcoming opportunities.
Some applicants will be invited to a short, informal conversation so we can better understand their experience, availability and any support needs. These conversations are not formal interviews – they’re about getting to know you and working out how and when involvement might be a good fit.
Not everyone who submits an EOI will be invited to a conversation at this stage. This doesn’t reflect the value of your experience – it simply reflects current Program needs and timing.
There will be further waves of recruitment as the EMR Program continues, and people who are not contacted in this round may be considered for future opportunities.
How to apply
If you would like to submit an EOI, please complete the online form using the link below. Please allow 15-20 minutes to complete the form.
If you need any assistance or support to complete this EOI, please contact HCCWA on 08 9221 3422 or emr@hconc.org.au
Please complete the EOI at your earliest convenience. The first round of committee appointments is expected to occur February and March 2026.
Can you help us build a social movement in health?
Are you passionate about improving equity and participation in health? Do you love all types of data – including first person stories, other qualitative information and quantitative data – and are skilled at weaving these together to craft compelling cases for change that prompt action? Then this might be your perfect role.
Systemic Advocacy Engagement Lead, part-time (4 days/week), fixed term to December 2026 with the possibility of extension
At Health Consumers’ Council, we believe in people power. Through our engagement and partnerships work, we are building a social movement in health – where the people who use health and healthcare services, and the people who work in them, can work together to identify priorities for improvement and make positive and lasting change.
Health Consumers’ Council WA
Health Consumers’ Council WA (HCCWA) is an independent community-based organisation which was established in 1994, representing the consumer’s voice in health policy, planning, research, and service delivery. We stand for equitable, person-centred, quality healthcare and improved health outcomes and experiences for everyone in Western Australia.
About the role
This role reports to the Executive Director. You will work with people across the HCCWA team who work on Aboriginal engagement, cultural diversity engagement, consumer representation and consultation, and individual advocacy.
This role is 0.8 FTE (4 days or 22.5 hours/week) based in our offices in Mount Lawley with the possibility of working from home for up to 50% of the time.
The role is initially offered to the end of December 2026, with the possibility of extension subject to funding.
The role offers
The opportunity to ensure diverse consumer perspectives are represented at the highest levels of decision making in health
The opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and with people from a wide range of backgrounds
The opportunity to be part of a consumer-first organisation with a focus on improving health equity and championing health rights
A friendly and supportive team that’s making a tangible difference in the community
A competitive not-for-profit annual base salary – Level 6 Social Community Home care and Disability Award $55.72/hour + super
Salary packaging up to $15,900 per annum
Flexible working with the opportunity to work from home up to 50% of the time when settled in to the role
About you
You’re looking for a role where you can apply your strong analysis and writing skills to advance social justice
You’re interested in the health system and care about people’s experiences of it
You’re comfortable advocating for diverse consumer perspectives to senior decision makers – and just as happy to roll your sleeves up and tidy up after an event along with your colleagues
What you’ll be doing
This position synthesises consumer insights and other literature and evidence to write submissions to public consultations and respond to opportunities to promote HCC’s systemic advocacy agenda as they arise. You will gather insights from health consumers, carers, community members and people with lived experience to inform and create submissions and engaging informative content that is distributed across a number of platforms including social media, email, web and online and hard copy publications and materials. You will also participate in a number of high level committees across WA Health representing diverse consumer views.
A typical week might see you:
Hosting a focus group with consumers on a specific topic to inform HCC’s submission to a national consultation
Preparing a submission to a Parliamentary enquiry
Attending a number of Project Control Group meetings for high profile systemwide reform programs ensuring that diverse consumer perspectives are represented and understood
Collecting and reviewing a wide range of information – including first person stories, government policies and publications, social media content, data relating to HCC’s individual advocacy and engagement activities – and using this to produce reports using everyday language, for consumers and community members
Updating the HCC website to inform our members and others about our systemic advocacy activities
Staying across current issues relating to health and social care, ensuring timely and evidence-based position papers and information is available as needed
Meeting with counterparts in other health consumer advocacy groups to collaborate for maximum impact
See the job description for a full outline of responsibilities for the role.
What you’ll need to succeed in this role
Essential
3+ years’ experience in a similar role
Well-developed analytical skills including the ability to work with and analyse quantitative and qualitative data and present these in a format that is accessible to non-expert audiences
Excellent English literacy, writing, editing and proofing skills, able to succinctly and quickly synthesise and present a wide range of information on systemic advocacy issues for a range of audiences including formal policy submissions
Ability to quickly synthesise information from a range of sources into accessible engaging content for a range of media including but not limited to social media, media releases, blogs, briefings and articles
Knowledge of the Australian health and health system context including the levers for change
A belief in the importance of the role of health consumers as partners in the planning, design, monitoring and evaluation of health services
Able to confidently and effectively express a diverse range of consumer perspectives in a range of settings including in meetings with senior decision makers, public forums and in written form
Able to use a range of software programs including (but not limited to) WordPress, Canva (or other graphic design program), Survey Monkey, Mailchimp, Zoom and Microsoft Office (or the ability to quickly become proficient in these)
Experience in organising meetings, workshops or events to gather feedback and insights from consumers and other stakeholders
Collaborative working style with an ability and willingness to muck in with other team activities as required
The ability to work autonomously and within deadlines, including managing a number of projects at the same time
Proactive, reliable and flexible attitude and comfortable working in a fast-paced adaptive environment
Desirable
Strong networks in political circles
Experience in campaigning on social issues
But if you have other skills and experience that you think makes you a great fit for this role, please tell about those too!
Diversity and inclusion
At Health Consumers’ Council we know that strength comes from diverse perspectives being at the table. We particularly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and identities, and people with disability.
To apply for the position
Send a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the selection criteria in the job description, along with a current resume outlining your work experience, skills and any relevant education or training to jobs@hconc.org.au. Applications that do not address the criteria may not be considered.
The closing date for applications is 8am on Thursday 29 January 2026
But, we will be assessing applications as they come in and reserve the right to appoint before this deadline, so if this is your dream job, submit your application promptly
If you require any adjustments to submit your application or wish to have a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Clare Mullen, Executive Director on (08) 9221 3422 or email ceo@hconc.org.au
Love organising? Eagle-eyed proof-reader? Like to be at the centre of the action?
We are passionate about the power of health consumer and lived experience voices to improve health outcomes and experiences for everyone in WA. We’re looking for someone who shares our vision to join our small but mighty team.
Executive Assistant, part-time, fixed term (to December 2026 with the possibility of extension)
We are seeking a highly organised Executive Assistant who loves people and being in a fast-paced environment with lots of variety. This is a pivotal role in an agile and growing organisation and helps ensure our Executive operations run smoothly and effectively.
The role is available for 25 hours/week to be worked across Monday – Friday.
The role offers:
A high degree of variety – working with the Executive Director on a wide range of activities and liaising with diverse community members and staff at all levels in the health and social care system
The opportunity to be part of a consumer-first organisation with a focus on improving health equity and championing health rights
A welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone is encouraged to bring all of themselves to work
The opportunity to implement and streamline administrative processes to help us make the most of the limited funding we receive
A competitive not-for-profit annual base salary with salary packaging – Level 3.1 Social Community Home care and Disability Award $38.65/hour + super
You’re looking for a role where you can apply your executive assistance and administration skills to do work that you care about
You’re highly organised and enjoy working in an agile and responsive environment
You’re interested in the health system and care about people’s experiences of it
You’re happy to muck in and enjoy working on a range of different projects and with different teams simultaneously
Position overview
This position provides expert administrative and governance support to the Executive Director and the HCC Board. This includes diary and travel management, secretariat support for Board committees, policy development and co-ordination, general office administration, and covering reception as required. We’re looking for someone who will be proactive and work collaboratively with colleagues to support our work which has the consumer experience and voice at its heart.
A typical week might see you doing a range of tasks:
Coordinating the Executive Director’s busy diary in liaison with senior stakeholders across the WA health system
Organising the Executive Director’s email inbox ensuring that priority emails are identified and actioned
Following up on actions as directed by the Executive Director and senior staff
Assisting with planning and delivering a range of events, workshops and activities by organising attendee lists, logistics and catering and consumer payments and enquiries
Drafting, coordinating and proof-reading papers for upcoming Board meetings
Attending workshops and events when required to – this may include occasional after hours working
Greeting visitors to our offices, responding to our reception phone calls, and responding to emails through our main inbox
Managing the training room and equipment register
Monitoring and updating organisational policies, procedures and registers
Scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and recording minutes
Managing stakeholder contact details through our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system
General office admin including organising travel and accommodation
Generating simple reports and analysis from existing systems including data entry
See the job description for a full outline of responsibilities for the role.
Selection criteria
Essential
A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a similar Executive Assistant role with a deep understanding of the requirements for attention to detail and confidentiality
Well-developed interpersonal and verbal skills, with a demonstrated understanding of the sensitivity and empathy needed when communicating with vulnerable community members and senior stakeholders
Well-developed written communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely for internal and external use
Excellent organisational skills, with high attention to detail and the ability to manage and prioritise deadlines and own workload with limited supervision
Demonstrated ability to use initiative and solve problems within own area of responsibility
Be adept, or be able to quickly become adept in, a range of office software programs including Microsoft Office 365 Suite, project management software, and accounting software
Desirable
A demonstrated interest in the aims and purpose of HCC, for example, experience as a health consumer representative or volunteering in a similar advocacy organisation
Experience working in community services and not for profit sector
Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, and navigate difficult conversations when required
To apply for the position
Read the job description and send a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the selection criteria, along with a current resume outlining your work experience, skills and any relevant education or training to jobs@hconc.org.au.
Please submit your application no later than 8am on Tuesday 27 January.
However, note that applications will be considered as received and we reserve the right to progress recruitment before the closing date – so get your application in early.
Applications that do not address the criteria may not be considered.
If you require any adjustments to submit your application or wish to have a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Clare Mullen, Executive Director on (08) 9221 3422
