Becoming a Consumer Representative at QEC | QEC Skip to main content

We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Traditional Owners of the lands on which we together walk, live and raise our children. 

We pay our respects to Traditional Owners past, present and future. 

We acknowledge the importance of children being raised with connections to culture, community and family. View our Acknowledgement of Country.

Inclusion statement

At QEC, we work together with families and communities to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment. We celebrate the different strengths and experiences that everyone brings.

We embrace diversity and want to make sure our places, processes, and services are fair, more accessible, and open to all.

It is important to us that people can express their beliefs, values and needs and that these are heard and understood so that everyone feels safe, respected, and a sense of belonging.

Thank you for your interest in joining the Family Advisory Committee. Your experience as a parent, carer or family member can help shape how we support families at QEC.

If you have any accessibility, literacy, dietary, religious or cultural needs, please tell us. We want to support you in a way that works for you.

If you're thinking of joining our Family Advisory Committee (or FAC for short), you're welcome to visit one meeting first as a guest, no obligation to continue, before deciding if you'd like to join ongoing.
 

Interested in joining? Here's what happens next

1. Let us know you're interested - fill out the form and we'll be in touch.

2. Apply for your Working with Children Check (volunteer) and complete your police check (our People & Culture team will email you the details). These checks won't cost you anything, but you'll need to upload some documents, so have your ID and Medicare card ready. Please let our team know if you'd like some assistance with either check.

3. Watch a short welcome video.  This will help you learn more about QEC and how we keep people safe. (about 15 minutes)

4. Understand what's involved in joining the FAC (about 30 minutes)

5. Sign an online Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest form (about 5 minutes).
 

What meetings are like

Before a meeting
We'll send you the agenda so you know what will be discussed. There's no such thing as a silly question, so please email your contact person before if you’d like anything explained prior. 

During a meeting
Ask questions, share your thoughts, or if you’d prefer to just listen at your first one, that’s fine too! If there's something specific you'd like to raise, let your contact person know beforehand so there's time set aside for it.

After a meeting
If something didn't sit right with you, or you just want to debrief, reach out. We're always glad to make time for that conversation.

Saying thank you
We give members a Coles gift voucher as a way of saying thank you for their participation at meetings.

One membership, many committees
Once you're a member here, you may hear about opportunities to join other QEC committees too. When a new committee or project needs family input, we let the FAC  know. If it sounds like something you'd like to be part of, you're welcome to put your hand up.

If you join, you won't need to redo any of the steps above. You'll just need to read that new committee's Terms of Reference, and we'll put you in touch with its chair to get you started.

Every committee is different, but what you bring stays the same: your lived experience as a parent, carer or family member. That's the only "hat" you need to wear. 
 

Who's here to support you

Your main contact is the Quality and Consumer Engagement Officer or the Communications and Consumer Engagement Manager. Reach out to them any time you have a question, feedback, or just want to talk something through.
 

Common questions

Find answers to some of the most common questions about becoming a Consumer Representative.

How do I know what's expected of me?

It's all in the Position Description and Terms of Reference for your specific role. If anything's unclear, just ask your contact person, they're always happy to talk it through.

Will I get any training or support?

Yes. You can chat with your contact person before you start if you'd like to know what to expect. And afterwards, you can always ask for a debrief to talk through anything you weren't sure about.

What if I'm finding something difficult?

Talk to your contact person. Please don't hold back, we want you to feel safe, comfortable and genuinely included every step of the way.

Can I get help setting up Teams for meetings?

Of course. If you'd like a hand getting set up before your first meeting, just ask, we're happy to do a quick test call with you.

I don't have my immunisation or flu vaccination records handy, what do I do?

No problem, this isn't required unless you'd like the option to attend an in-person meeting. If you'd like help tracking down records, just let us know.