Find out what it is like to work at the Department of the House of Representatives.
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Staff of the department embody the Australian Parliamentary Services values. These values are:
- committed to service
- ethical
- respectful
- accountable
- impartial.
The department is working hard to build a safe and welcoming culture where people can bring their whole selves to work.
The diversity of our staff is very important to us and we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ people, women and people with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
We recognise the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the unique knowledge First Nations employees bring to our workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from First Nations Australians for vacancies in the department.
The department operates in a dynamic political and economic environment and is accountable to a wide range of stakeholders with an interest in its work. In working for the department, you will be involved in providing expert support, a shared responsibility for stewardship of the institution of parliament, and robust stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
Benefits and conditions
We provide a supportive environment, generous leave entitlements, flexible working conditions and competitive salaries; joining the department can be rewarding, both professionally and personally.
Leave
Our generous leave conditions give staff the flexibility to achieve results and maintain a balanced personal life.
We offer comprehensive leave conditions that can be accessed at various stages of your time with us. Some of our leave conditions include:
- 4 weeks annual leave
- 18 days personal/carers' leave
- long service leave
- study leave
- maternity/parental leave
- compassionate leave
- miscellaneous leave.
Further leave entitlements are outlined in our Enterprise Agreement.
Flexibility and balance
The department understands it is important for staff to strike a balance between their work and personal lives.
All staff have access to flexible working arrangements. Whether you have commenced the recruitment process for one of our roles or are considering working with us in future, a position with us means that as soon as you start, you can discuss possibilities around how and when you work. Flexible working options could include:
- full-time and part-time options
- flexible start and finish times (within core hours)
- flex time for Parliamentary Service level 1–6 employees
- flexible working arrangements for all staff
- access to phased retirement
- leave options that support your current life circumstances, including time off in lieu (where applicable), miscellaneous leave, study leave, leave without pay to undertake personal or career development activities and more.
Salary, entitlements and benefits
The department offers competitive salaries which increase in line with our Enterprise Agreement. The department also offers access to a range of entitlements and benefits, such as:
- access to onsite childcare at Parliament House
- superannuation contributions of 15.4%
- capped reimbursement for approved fitness equipment including clothing and footwear
- reimbursement of eyeglass lenses for screen-based work
- flexible salary packaging.
Professional development
The department offers many opportunities to learn and develop professionally, through online learning, face-to-face sessions, lunch-time seminars, shadowing opportunities as well as on the job training. Your formal learning is supported by a generous study assistance scheme, offering both financial support and study leave arrangements for ongoing employees.
Wellbeing
The department offers a variety of initiatives that support your wellbeing including; flu vaccinations and reimbursement for approved fitness equipment, including clothing and footwear. We also offer a free and confidential employee assistance program to all staff and their immediate family.
Enterprise Agreement
More information on our conditions of service is available in the following publications:
Australian Parliament House stands on the traditional lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, also known as Canberra. It is where all members of parliament meet, and the department’s staff are all based in Parliament House.
Parliament House is one of the largest buildings in the southern hemisphere. When Parliament meets, 4000 to 5000 people work in the building.
For more information on the Department of the House of Representatives and the House of Representatives more broadly: