About the Merit Protection Boards

The Merit Protection Boards is an independent statutory body established to hear grievances, appeals and reviews from employees of the Department of Education.

On this page

• The role of the Merit Protection Boards
• Annual reports

The role of the Merit Protection Boards

The Merit Protection Boards is an independent statutory body established under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 to:

• advise the Minister and Secretary to the Department of Education about principles of merit and equity to be applied in the teaching service
• hear reviews and appeals in relation to decisions made under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (except section 2.4.59F (Unsatisfactory Performance), section 2.4.61 (Misconduct) and section 2.4.61A (Serious Misconduct)), or any other Act
• advise the Minister or the Secretary about any matter referred to them by the Minister or the Secretary relating to merit and equity in the teaching service
• hear reviews and appeals in relation to any decision prescribed by the regulations to be a decision in respect of which there is a right of review or appeal to a Merit Protection Board.

Each board has 3 members selected by the senior chairperson from the following 3 pools of people.

• persons who have been nominated by the Minister to be chairpersons
• persons who have been nominated by the Secretary
• employees in the teaching service who have been nominated by the Minister.

The senior chairperson is Steve Metcalfe, Greg Donaghue is the manager/registrar.

The Merit Protection Boards provide an independent mechanism to hear appeals and grievances for employees of the Department of Education and associated education statutory authorities. Appeals and grievances include:

• transfer and promotion
• sexual harassment and discrimination
• incapacity
• grievances of a general personal nature
• grievances in relation to police record checks.

Appeals and grievances are heard online via Webex.

The Merit Protection Boards, through the hearing process, must ensure that all applicants receive fair and equitable treatment and that the principles of natural justice apply.

Access to the processes of the Merit Protection Boards is available to all employees of the Department of Education including teachers, school-based non-teaching staff and public servants.

The Merit Protection Boards also conducts a training program in the principles of merit and equity for Department employees.

Annual reports

The annual reports of the Merit Protection Boards and the Disciplinary Appeals Boards are contained within the Department of Education’s annual reports and can be found on the pages listed below.

Information for Board Members

Information designed to assist Board members of the Merit Protection Boards and Disciplinary Appeals Boards discharge of their important duties

Education & training

Updated 16 February 2026

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