Host Boards

LEAD THE CHANGE: AN INVITATION TO FOR-PURPOSE BOARDS

Help transform Australia’s boardrooms while strengthening your own. 

The Observership Program invites Not-for-Profit and Government Appointed Boards for an opportunity to participate in the development of the next generation of directors, by joining our 2026 Program. We are expanding our network of host boards for the 2026 Program and are keen to hear from you.

The Program provides a pathway for talented professionals to gain valuable board experience and governance training. Observers gain practical boardroom experience while participating in a comprehensive governance training program supported by Program partners; the Australian Institute of Company Directors and The Ethics Centre.

Participation in the Program will inject a fresh, diverse perspective into the Boardroom ​through a Program that offers an unique and proven, professional development and learning opportunity with tangible outcomes in leadership development, approaches to decision-making, strategic thinking, planning and collaboration.​

 

THREE WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH THE OBSERVERSHIP PROGRAM: 

1. Draw from the Program’s talented pool of applicants. Access professional skills and experience and fresh, diverse perspectives to enrich board discussions.
2. Nominate a person  from within your network. Develop someone with potential for a future board appointment.
3. Nominate a newly appointed board member. Underpin the appointment with 11 governance training sessions and a supportive network of like-minded leaders

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR BOARD FOR THE 2026 PROGRAM 

 

 2026 PROGRAM KEY DATES    

                                                       New Host Boards on-boarded:       Until 30 September 2025 

                                                       Observer matching process:            October – December 2025 

                                                       Program Launch:                               February 2026 

 

Accessible documentation and collateral
We have an accessible website; we have ensured that our website and the application platform meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1 to at least a level AA compliance. 

• An accessible copy of the FAQs can be found here
• An accessible copy of the 2025 Handbook can be found here
• An accessible copy of the Host Board Information
• An accessible copy of our Terms and Conditions 
• Emails and invitations are accessible. 
• An accessible presentation on ‘Disability Confident Boards’
• An accessible presentation on ‘Disability Confident Observer Experiences’

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR BOARD FOR THE 2026 PROGRAM 

 

Should you require further information, please contact:

Victorian Program:
Catherine Reiser, Director, The Observership Program, Victoria, catherine.reiser@observership.com.au

Sydney and Brisbane Programs:
Rachel Exton, NSW and Brisbane Program Lead, rachel.exton@obervership.com.au

 

Acknowledgement of Country 

The Observership Program acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging. We also accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart to walk together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a movement of the Australian people for a better future. 

Accessibility Statement
The Observership Program is committed to ensuring user experience and accessibility for people with disability. We will continue to evolve and improve the accessibility of our Program by listening and learning from people with lived experience of disability.