Find more information below, including how to submit an Expression of Interest for the position. A downloadable PDF version is also available here.
Closing date for submissions is 14 June 2026.
The Australasian Pelvic Floor Procedure Registry welcomes Expressions of Interest (EOI) from consumers with lived experience of a female pelvic floor procedure/s related to stress urinary incontinence and/or pelvic organ prolapse, who are motivated to serve as one of the Registry’s Lived Experience Consumer Representatives.
The Australasian Pelvic Floor Procedure Registry
The Australasian Pelvic Floor Procedure Registry (APFPR) was established in mid-2019 following recommendations from the 2018 findings of the Senate Inquiry into transvaginal mesh implants and related matters.
The APFPR records information about prospective surgeries in Australia for selected stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) procedures, and is a clinician-led, national clinical quality registry managed by Monash University.
The APFPR collects information with the primary aim to improve quality of care for patients undergoing pelvic floor procedures. From the data collected we track the long-term safety and performance of these procedures and establish the best surgical practice for the best patient health outcomes.
Purpose of the role
The Registry aims to ensure that its work is informed by consumers with a range of experiences and perspectives, including those who have lived experience of having had surgery for pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence. Consumer representatives ensure that the patient perspective is central to what the registry does. Evidence shows us that this partnership can deliver improved health outcomes for patients and improved delivery of health care services.
Position objectives and responsibilities
- Read the resources available to them to understand the role of the Registry and deepen their knowledge of pelvic floor procedures;
- Identify and communicate consumer perspectives and experiences;
- Advise on communications activities including those specifically targeted to inform consumer organisations and consumers; and
- Ensure there is a two-way flow of information and learning between the consumers and the registry
- Support promotional registry activities including potentially speaking at conferences or to media, with the support of APFPR leadership
While the consumer should bring a critical lens to the consumer-related activities of the APFPR, they must also be an advocate of the aims and achievements of the APFPR. The consumer representative’s focus is to bring the lived experience perspective to the work of the operations team through their active participation in the Consumer Reference Group.
This includes attendance and contribution to the biannual (with potential for extra meetings as required) APFPR Consumer Reference Group meetings, reviewing public facing materials for consumers developed by the APFPR team, and establishing links with other consumer representatives and groups from states and territories.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Required
- Undergone surgery for female stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse within the past 3 years
- The confidence to speak up and ask questions in a respectful and sensitive way
- Ability to sensitively develop, represent, support and expand consumer engagement
- An ability to engage, facilitate and work with other consumers in a productive way
- Some knowledge of pelvic floor surgical procedures
- Some understanding of communication techniques including social media, newsletter production, focus group activation and a familiarity with media engagement
- Some knowledge of the Australian health system – for instance the work of the TGA, Commission, health departments
- Alignment with the Registry’s organisational purpose and values
Preferred
- Networking experience, including effective participation in external working groups and engagement with organisations
- Experience in representing an organisation in public forums, committees and steering groups
- Consumer participation in an existing consumer network
- Lived experience of having had pelvic floor surgery that did not involve the use of mesh (e.g. surgery using native tissue) for female stress urinary incontinence
Key Competencies
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- High-level communication skills
- Conflict management
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated ability to bring an evidenced approach to drawing conclusions and decision-making, to avoid systematic error through bias
Availability:
- Meetings are typically held during working hours of 11-6 PM AEST to accommodate all Australian states and territories as well as New Zealand
- The Consumer Reference Group meets twice per year. Attendance at these meetings is a requirement of the role
- Attending additional ad hoc meetings if required
- Reading and other preparation of materials ahead of the meeting
How we will support you
We will:
- provide you with an orientation into the purpose and operations of the Registry
- provide you with a clinical debrief to further develop your understanding of our clinical domain
- clearly explain the role and responsibilities
- identify a key registry support person who can assist you with any questions or concerns
- seek regular feedback regarding your participation
- assist in developing and resourcing opportunities for a wider consumer voice, e.g. through partnering to convene consumer consultations
Remuneration
For this position we will offer a middle range (category 2) allowance set by the Remuneration Tribunal for offices not-specified. See page 5 (Table 2 – Other Office Holders): F2021C00097.pdf (remtribunal.gov.au).
Payment to Consumer Representatives is a formal acknowledgement of the value of their knowledge and experience. Remuneration in the form of a sitting fee per hour or per meeting is accepted as best practice consumer engagement. Recommended rates have been derived from the (category 2) allowance set by the Remuneration Tribunal for offices not-specified. See page 5 (Table 2 – Other Office Holders): F2021C00097.pdf (remtribunal.gov.au).
The consumer representative will be required to
- Provide evidence of entitlement to work in Australia, the maintenance of such entitlement being critical to continuance in the role.
- Have some flexibility in work hours to meet any reasonable demands of this position.
- Provide together with their submission for consideration, a “Declaration of Clinical Relationship” identifying whether they have received treatment from any of the APFPR’s Steering Committee members.
Deadlines and submission process
Please submit a copy of your CV and a short statement (maximum 400 words) to apfpr@monash.edu advising of your interest in the role and how your experience relates to the requirements mentioned above.
You are welcome to submit any questions to the email address provided.
Closing date for submissions is: 14 June 2026