Department of Health

Key messages

  • Class A cemetery trust members are appointed by the Governor in Council.
  • Each Class A cemetery trust has between six and nine trust members.
  • Class A cemetery trust members are appointed for up to 3 years and are eligible for reappointment.

Class A cemetery trust appointments

Under s. 6A and schedule 1A of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003 (the Act), Class A cemetery trust members are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the department’s Minister.

There must not be fewer than six or more than nine Class A trust members.

Appointments are made in accordance with the Appointment and Remuneration GuidelinesExternal Link ,and Diversity on Victorian Government Boards GuidelinesExternal Link issued by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Class A terms of appointment

Under clause 1 of schedule 1A of the Act, Class A trust members hold office for a period not exceeding 3 years and are eligible to apply for reappointment.

Note: There is a tenure limit of 10 years applicable to an individual on the same trust, except in extenuating circumstances.

Class A appointment process

The department manages the appointment process for Class A cemetery trusts and based on the appointment expiry dates of existing trust members. The department will notify trusts when a scheduled appointment round is due to commence.

The appointment process for Class A trusts is as follows:

  • The department will initiate an appointment round for Class A trust member and/or chairperson positions.
  • The department will consult with the Office for Women, Aboriginal Victoria, Multicultural Affairs and Social Cohesion Division and the Office for Disability to seek their input in the recruitment planning process
  • All Class A trust vacancies will be advertised on the Join a public board websiteExternal Link and in relevant regional newspapers.
  • All applications must be submitted via the Join a Public Board websiteExternal Link . Application requirements are explained in the applicant guidelines which are available for download.
  • Applications will be assessed against key selection criteria and a skills-based matrix designed to ensure each trust has the appropriate mix of skills and expertise necessary to govern the trust effectively.
  • Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by a selection panel and considered for appointment by the Minister, Cabinet and the Governor in Council.

All applicants are required to read the Class A cemetery trust applicant guidelines.

Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be required to complete a declaration of private interests.

Class A trust member remuneration

Under clause 5 of schedule 1A of the Act, each Class A trust member is eligible for remuneration. Current remuneration rates are published in the trust member and chairperson position descriptions.

Class A trust member resignations

Under clause 3 of schedule 1A of the Act, a trust member may resign from their position by means of a letter of resignation, which should be addressed to the Minister, care of Cemetery Sector Governance Support Unit.

On the recommendation of the Minister, the Governor in Council may – at any time – remove a trust member from office. However, this will only occur in exceptional circumstances.

Reviewed 17 October 2023

Health.vic

Contact details

Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Cemetery Sector Governance Support GPO Box 4057, Melbourne , VIC 3001

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