Join AELERT’s CoP leadership team

Nov 19, 2025

Expressions of interest are now open for Chair and Co-chair leadership positions of AELERT’s Communities of Practice

Are you ready to take the next step in your professional journey and help shape the future of environmental regulation and compliance? Expressions of interest are now open for members to join the leadership team across our various Communities of Practice (CoP) network groups in 2026 and beyond.

AELERT operates 17 individual CoPs arranged by function to reflect the business-as-usual activities undertaken by our member agencies. Currently there are over 1,600+ active members who have joined the CoPs and regularly meet and provide support to one another through collaboration, information sharing and solving shared challenges across jurisdictions.

This is a unique leadership opportunity to contribute your expertise, collaborate with peers across jurisdictions, and play a key role in guiding the strategic direction of AELERT’s CoPs. Whether your focus is on policy, operations, science, or innovation, your voice and experience can help drive meaningful conversations and outcomes within your area of practice.

Why get involved?

Serving as a Chair or Co-Chair offers a valuable platform to develop leadership, facilitation, governance and strategic thinking skills in addition to building your own professional development. These strategically significant roles also allow you and your agency to identify new approaches and opportunities in your everyday work and pose new ideas to be undertaken as part of AELERT’s annual work programs.

You will set the agenda, lead discussions, communicate with group members, and influence the growth and evolution of your Community of Practice, inspire innovation and foster a culture of continuous improvement between members across jurisdictions.

We are seeking members to join the Community of Practice leadership team to lead and/or support the Chairs of the following network groups:

Operations Cluster:Biodiversity & Protected Areas
Emergency Operations
Local Government
Waste Crime
Wildlife Crime
Regulation & Engagement Cluster:Better Regulation
Compliance Auditing
Energy and Mining
Impact Assessment
First Peoples Environmental Regulators
Legal Practice and Policy
Water Compliance
Capability Building Cluster:Organisational Maturity
Professional Development

Expectations of the Chair/Co-Chair

The Chair(s) and Co-Chair(s) play a key leadership role in guiding each Community of Practice, with the support of the AELERT Leadership Team. These roles are central to fostering collaboration, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring the Community of Practice delivers value to its members.

The Chair(s) and Co-Chairs(s) positions involve:

  • Setting the agenda for meetings and ensuring alignment with the priorities and topics contained within the group’s Terms of Reference (ToR)
  • Planning and coordinating meetings in collaboration with the AELERT team
  • Identifying and inviting relevant speakers to contribute expertise and insights
  • Influencing the growth and direction of the Community of Practice
  • Sharing information and resources to strengthen knowledge exchange among members (where appropriate and approved by your organisation)
  • Communicating with group members, stakeholders, and the broader AELERT network

Who should apply?

We welcome expressions of interest from individuals from AELERT member agencies at all levels who are:

  • Passionate about their area of practice,
  • Eager to actively contribute to the broader regulatory community,
  • Looking to grow professionally and personally,
  • Supported by their agency to take on a leadership role.

The CoP Chairs and Co-Chairs are asked to commit to a term of 12-months with an option to extend for a further 12-months. Each Community of Practice runs approximately six online group meetings per calendar year and engages through AELERT’s dedicated online platforms and via email.

Submit your expression of interest

We encourage you to discuss this opportunity with your manager or supervisor as part of your professional development planning if applicable and submit a brief expression of interest (no more than 200 words) outlining your background, area of expertise and relevant Community of Practice network group(s).

Please share this opportunity within your team or department or any relevant colleagues who may be interested in this valuable professional development opportunity.

Download a copy of the AELERT CoP Chair and Co-Chair Expression of Interest

Expressions of interest can be made by email to aelert@sa.gov.au for consideration.

Privacy and confidentiality in the AELERT Network

Privacy and confidentiality in the AELERT Network

One of the most valuable things about being part of the AELERT network are the conversations that happens inside it. Candid, cross-jurisdictional, peer-to-peer dialogue that you can't replicate at the same level anywhere else. Regulators tackling complex environmental...

read more
Have Your Say on AI in Environmental Regulation

Have Your Say on AI in Environmental Regulation

Artificial Intelligence is already influencing inspections, investigations, prosecutions and judgments in ways we barely notice. Our international partners in Europe have launched the 2026 IMPEL Survey on AI in Environmental Protection through the ARTIC Project...

read more
IAIA 2027 heads to Christchurch

IAIA 2027 heads to Christchurch

The International Association for Impact Assessment has released the First Announcement for its 46th Annual Conference, and this one lands much closer to home than usual. IAIA27 will be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand, from 20 to 23 April 2027, under the...

read more
Learning Opportunities in Climate Change and Health

Learning Opportunities in Climate Change and Health

AELERT is pleased to share a curated selection of online learning opportunities and resources from our colleagues at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), focused on Health Impact Assessment (HIA), One Health, and Climate Change and Health. These courses are...

read more
Expression of Interest: Conference Technical Committee

Expression of Interest: Conference Technical Committee

Help shape the direction, content and impact of our upcoming conference We are seeking Expressions of Interest to join the conference technical committee for the upcoming AELERT 2026 Conference. The technical committee plays a strategic, advisory role, supporting the...

read more
Adam Slater takes the helm at AELERT

Adam Slater takes the helm at AELERT

This week, AELERT enters an exciting new chapter as Adam Slater steps into the role of CEO, bringing fresh ideas, deep regulatory expertise and a clear focus on driving practical benefits for regulators across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Adam has settled...

read more
Have your say! 2026 member survey is live

Have your say! 2026 member survey is live

This year marks an important moment for the Australian and New Zealand Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators neTwork (AELERT). As we prepare for the AELERT 2026 Conference, welcome a new Chief Executive Officer, and finalise the 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, we are...

read more
Upcoming Community or Practice Schedule (February-March)

Upcoming Community or Practice Schedule (February-March)

AELERT’s Community of Practice (CoP) network groups are back in action for 2026, bringing expert speakers, cross‑agency insights, and practical knowledge you can take straight back to your organisation. We have been working closely with your CoP Leads for each group...

read more
All In for National Reconciliation Week 2026

All In for National Reconciliation Week 2026

Reconciliation Australia has announced the theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026: All In is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day. All In makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport, and that all of...

read more
AELERT’s 2026 Conference theme revealed!

AELERT’s 2026 Conference theme revealed!

We’re excited to unveil the theme for the AELERT 2026 Conference, Future ready regulation: embracing innovation, leading change, and strengthening regulatory systems, set to take place over three days between late October and mid-November 2026 in one of Australia's...

read more
2025 in focus: a year in review

2025 in focus: a year in review

2025 was a big year for AELERT, focused on delivering member value through knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and tools. With members, CoPs, Council, and global partners, we ran events and webinars to help regulators tackle emerging issues and build vital…

read more
New Environment Protection Reform Bills passed by Parliament

New Environment Protection Reform Bills passed by Parliament

The Australian Parliament has passed the Environment Protection Reform Bills. This occurred on Friday 28 November. The Bills received Royal Assent from the Governor General on Monday 1 December. They are now officially law. Some laws take effect immediately. Others...

read more