What is an Advisory Panel?
Creative Victoria’s Advisory Panels are groups of people (generally between four and ten people) with skills and experience within the arts, creative and other complementary sectors who bring independent and specialist knowledge to the grant evaluation process.
Advisory Panels assess grant applications, make recommendations to the Minister for Creative Industries and occasionally provide advice on Creative Victoria policies and projects.
Creative Victoria staff select Advisory Panel members from the Advisory Panel Register based on how their expertise and experience relates to a particular funding program or relevant project area.
We’re always looking for a balance of artform and industry expertise, general skills, gender, Indigenous, multicultural and regional representation for our Advisory Panels. See Funding opportunities for more information on the funding programs managed by Creative Victoria.
What is the role of an Advisory Panel member?
As a panel member you’ll be required to read applications, view support materials, write notes and assess applications for the specific funding program. It’s important to keep in mind some programs can attract several hundred applications each round.
You’ll then attend assessment meetings – which can vary from half day to two days– to discuss, deliberate and make recommendations to the Minister for Creative Industries regarding which applications should receive support.
Each Advisory Panel has a chairperson – also drawn from the Advisory Panel Register – who is chosen based on their skills, experience and knowledge of the funding program. The role of the chair is to preside over panel meetings and assist the group in reaching the best possible decisions in the most efficient way.
All panel members are required to follow a Code of Conduct (which you will receive before joining the panel) and you’ll be paid an honorarium and reasonable expenses for time spent reviewing applications as well as attending assessment meetings.
You’ll be given your own copy of application forms to review. If you can’t view the material on your own computer, Creative Victoria will make arrangements for you to use the Creative Victoria offices to view support material. All materials are confidential and must be returned to Creative Victoria.
How much time will I have to commit to the role?
As a panel member, you’ll be responsible for reviewing and assessing funding applications and attending assessment meetings. The time required to perform these functions will vary depending on the number of applications received for any particular program.
The number of panel assessment meetings also varies with each funding program. The majority of programs have meetings twice a year, but there may be significant variation across the suite of funding programs. Panel assessment meetings are held in the Melbourne CBD and run anywhere between three hours and two full days. If you’re approached to serve on a panel, you’ll be advised by a Program Manager of the particular requirements of that program before you commit.
You’re expected to read applications and view support materials, write notes and score applications in preparation for assessment meetings.
How long will I be required to serve on an Advisory Panel?
The usual term for a member of an Advisory Panel Register is three years, but it’s up to you to decide whether or not you’re available to take part each time you’re called upon.
How many people sit on each Advisory Panel?
The composition and number of members on an Advisory Panel reflects the size and needs of the specific funding program. On average, Advisory Panels range from four to ten people. Each panel will be made up of a significant proportion of arts and creative practitioners and managers. Expertise from complementary areas such as marketing, education, business, law, as well as from community representatives will be sought.
Will I get paid to sit on an Advisory Panel?
Yes. You’ll receive an honorarium to read and assess applications before meetings (preparation fees) and to attend panel assessment meetings (‘sitting fees’). To receive payment, you must submit a tax invoice which includes your ABN to Creative Victoria.
Payment rates will be advised when you’re approached to sit on a panel. Public sector employees please note that you’re only eligible to be remunerated for being on a panel if your substantive employer confirms in writing that the work involved with the panel commitment can be, and will be, performed in your own time.
Creative Victoria will reimburse any reasonable out of pocket expenses you incur attending assessment meetings or viewing support material at Creative Victoria. Please submit evidence of any expenditure, such as receipts or tickets, and itemise the expense(s) on the tax invoice you submit to Creative Victoria.
Reasonable expenses include:
- tram, train and bus tickets
- car parking
- personal car expenses (to be paid at the appropriate rate per kilometre)
Creative Victoria will pay for overnight accommodation and breakfast if you’re required to travel from regional areas to attend an assessment meeting.
Will I be provided with any training?
As you’re recruited for panels based on your existing experience and expertise, there’s no formal training required. If you accept a position on a panel, Program Managers will provide you with an in-depth briefing and you’ll receive a copy of Creative Victoria’s Advisory Panel Induction Handbook and a step-by-step guide for using the Assessment Portal. Creative Victoria can assist you with any enquiries.
What is the Code of Conduct for panel members?
To ensure that Advisory Panels provide Creative Victoria with independent advice, panel members are required to abide by a Code of Conduct. The code sets out that you will treat any information provided to you as part of your role as a panel member as confidential. You need to remain impartial, and you must declare any conflicts of interest. See the Code of Conduct for more information on what is required.
If I'm asked to be on an Advisory Panel, am I compelled to take part?
No. It’s up to you to determine whether or not you’re available to take part in a panel. Declining a request to sit on a panel won’t affect your chances of being part of a panel in future.