Govern one of Australia’s most trusted charities — and one of the world’s leading animal welfare organisations
- One of only two NSW charities with statutory enforcement powers
- From prevention to prosecution — the full spectrum of animal welfare
- Help shape laws that protect animals in NSW for generations to come
The organisation
Founded in Sydney in 1873, RSPCA NSW is one of Australia’s most respected animal welfare organisations, working to protect animals, prevent cruelty and empower communities to value humane treatment. RSPCA has ranked #1 in the YouGov Charity Rankings for five consecutive years (2022–2026).
RSPCA NSW operates across the full spectrum of animal cruelty prevention, from proactive upstream intervention through to reactive enforcement. On the upstream end, our Inspectorate conducts proactive inspections, while our education programs, desexing days, vaccinations and advocacy work to prevent cruelty before it occurs. In the middle, we provide accessible veterinary care, pet pantry support, crisis boarding and case management for animals and owners at risk. And at the reactive end, our Inspectorate (one of only two non-government bodies in NSW with statutory powers under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979) investigates cruelty complaints, issues animal welfare directions, seizes animals and prosecutes offenders. No other organisation in NSW governs across this entire spectrum simultaneously.
RSPCA NSW operates at meaningful scale, with approximately $87.5 million in annual revenue, 500 staff, 2,100 volunteers, 5,000 members, and more than 16,700 cruelty investigations undertaken in FY24–25. The decisions made by the Board over the coming years will help shape animal welfare outcomes across New South Wales.
For Directors drawn to complex governance and purpose-led stewardship, this is an opportunity to help shape the future of one of Australia’s most recognised animal welfare organisations and the communities it serves.
Why these roles matter
The decisions made at Board level over the next decade will shape animal welfare outcomes in New South Wales for generations to come. RSPCA NSW governs at the intersection of statutory enforcement, public trust, charitable purpose and government partnership — a combination almost no other organisation in Australia faces. We are looking for Directors who are energised, not daunted, by that complexity.
The opportunities
Each of these roles requires a strong governance foundation as a non-negotiable baseline. What distinguishes the three appointments is the additional specialist capability each brings to the Board, in addition to fulfilling the collective governance responsibilities all directors share.
RSPCA NSW is seeking to appoint three Non-Executive Directors to strengthen the Board’s collective capability, resilience and strategic oversight. To support this next stage of Board renewal, RSPCA NSW is seeking Directors with capability aligned to the following areas:
RSPCA Australia Representative: A significant national-facing governance role, representing RSPCA NSW within the broader RSPCA Federation and contributing to shared animal welfare outcomes across Australia. The role calls for legal, constitutional, regulatory, commercial or governance expertise, ideally gained in federated, member-based or complex multi-entity environments. Strategic judgement, diplomacy and influence will be important. Note: this role requires attendance at bi-monthly RSPCA Australia Board meetings held interstate on Saturdays.
Finance, Audit & Risk: An opportunity to help steward financial sustainability, risk maturity and organisational resilience. Relevant experience may include senior finance, audit, risk, assurance or governance leadership, with the ability to provide strategic insight across financial, reputational, WHS, cyber and operational risk. Treasurer and FARC Chair succession potential will be highly regarded.
Government Relations, Policy & Advocacy: This role sits at the intersection of animal welfare, public policy and government decision-making in NSW. The Board is seeking senior experience across government, public policy, regulatory or stakeholder environments, with current government relationships, policy insight and sound stakeholder judgement.
Candidates need to attend 6 Board meetings a year in Sydney, in person. We welcome applications from candidates within reasonable driving distance of Sydney, including those in regional NSW and the ACT.
Succession Planning
As part of its Board renewal and succession planning, RSPCA NSW is also interested in candidates who can strengthen the Board’s collective capability in one or more of the following areas:
- Technology, data and cyber governance
- Fundraising, philanthropy and bequests
- Operations and complex service delivery systems
- Strategy, organisational change and transformation
These additional areas are not mandatory requirements for the three Director appointments, but candidates who bring relevant experience are encouraged to highlight this in their cover letter, to assist the Board’s broader succession planning and capability mix.
Please note: Directors must be members of RSPCA NSW. These appointments will be made by co-option, and membership must be approved prior to appointment. If you are not already a member, or have any questions about the membership process, please contact [email protected] who will assist you directly. To find out more about becoming a member, please visit: https://www.rspcansw.org.au/ways-to-give/become-an-rspca-nsw-member/
Submit your expression of interest
People for Purpose is partnering with RSPCA NSW to lead the search for this role.
- We invite you to read the Board Pack (https://shorturl.at/m98ZD), which includes relevant position descriptions for each opportunity.
- To review RSPCA NSW’s annual reports and financial statements, please visit their website at https://www.rspcansw.org.au/ and ACNC profile at https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/c6107d58-38af-e811-a960-000d3ad24282/profile
- Once you have absorbed this information and completed your own research, if you have specific questions, please call us on 0468 625 252 or email [email protected]
- Your expression of interest will indicate which position(s) you wish to apply for, including your CV and cover letter outlining how your skills and experience align to this opportunity and why you are interested in joining RSPCA NSW.
Applications close at 5pm on Sunday, 16 August 2026