Department of the Senate

The Department of the Senate is committed to the principles of workplace equity and diversity. Selection for vacancies is made on merit.

Selection for employment opportunities would normally be based on applications, referee reports, skills tests and interviews.

Employment opportunities

The Department of the Senate uses an online recruitment system to manage employment opportunities and vacancies. Interested applicants should visit the Department of the Senate Recruitment Portal to submit an application.

CURRENT VACANCIES

Current recruitment processes

Classification Position title Employment type Closing date and time Current status
APS 3 Administrative Officer Ongoing/non-ongoing Sunday, 6 April 2025 In progress
APS 3  Supervisor, Senators' Services Ongoing Sunday, 18 May 2025, 11:30pm  In progress
APS 6 & PEL 1 Senior Research Officer and Principal Research Officer Ongoing/non-ongoing Monday, 9 June 2025, 11:30pm Accepting applications
APS 1 to PEL 2 Temporary Employment Register Non-ongoing Sunday, 8 March 2026, 11:30pm Accepting applications

Parliament of Australia graduate program

The Department of the Senate generally offers six month placements to graduates who have been accepted into existing Australian Government department and agency graduate programs. Applications generally open in October each year. Further information can be found on the Parliament of Australia Graduate Program.

Information for applicants

Thank you for your interest in employment with the Department of the Senate. The following information may assist you when preparing your application and understanding the recruitment process.

  • Read the job description, which includes the duties and selection criteria, and other information provided.
  • Take the opportunity to seek clarification or additional information from the contact officer.
  • Submit your application via the online recruitment system. Applications sent by other methods may not be accepted.
  • Include your résumé and a statement of claims. These documents will support the selection advisory committee in assessing your suitability for the position. It is important that you provide sufficient evidence in your application to support your claims.
  • There is a 14,500 character limit imposed by the online recruitment system. For vacancies where a word limit applies, the limit will be stated.
  • Review your application before it is submitted. Once your application is submitted, it cannot be edited.
  • Submit your application by the closing date and time. The department does not accept late applications unless there are extenuating circumstances. If such circumstances exist, you are required to contact the Human Resource Management section before the closing time of the vacancy. Documentary evidence may be required for those seeking an extension (e.g. a medical certificate or statutory declaration).
  • A selection advisory committee will usually comprise two or three members.
  • Shortlisting of applications will be rigorous, and only the most competitive applicants (i.e. those most likely to be selected for the vacancy) will be assessed further.
  • Not all recruitment processes will involve an interview; the selection may be based on applications and referee reports where a clear result can be determined from these.
  • Additional information, other than that provided by you in your application, may be sourced and considered during the recruitment process. This may include information contained on social media sites (e.g. Twitter or Facebook), other websites and from other relevant persons or organisations.
  • The selection advisory committee will contact your referees for comment if they are considering recommending you for the position or for inclusion on an order of merit. (An order of merit is a list of ranked applicants deemed suitable for the position. Should the same or a similar position become vacant during the 12 months after the original vacancy was advertised, the order of merit may be used to select an applicant to fill the position).
  • Applicants will generally be informed of the outcome of the selection process verbally and/or in writing (i.e. via an automated email from the e-recruitment system).
  • At the end of the selection process the selection advisory committee will, on request, provide you with verbal feedback on your application and/or your performance in any further assessment undertaken. The department will not provide written feedback including copies of individual assessments, if they were prepared, to applicants.
  • Please note that the Department of the Senate's recruitment processes are merit-based and conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 including section 10A. The Department of the Senate neither engages recruitment providers to source applicants for advertised vacancies nor does it pay placement fees for applicants referred by recruitment providers.

Employment with the Department of the Senate is subject to conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 and subordinate determinations and rules.

The Department of the Senate will consider applications from non-Australian citizens on a case by case basis in accordance with the merit principle as required by subsection 10A(2) of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999.

Applicants who remain subject to a 'redundancy benefit period' from a Commonwealth employer will not normally be engaged.

Engagement may also be subject to probation, security and character and health clearances.

Certain promotion decisions which result in the promotion of an employee to the classifications of Australian Parliamentary Service Level 1 to Australian Parliamentary Service Level 6 (inclusive) may be subject to review.

To be eligible to seek a review of a promotion decision, you must be an ongoing Parliamentary Service or Australian Public Service employee who was an applicant for promotion to the relevant employment opportunity.

A promotion decision can only be reviewed on the grounds of merit.

Applications for review of a promotion decision must be lodged with the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), and must be received by the Parliamentary Service Merit Protection Commissioner by 5:00pm on the 14th day after notification of the promotion in the Gazette (APSJobs.gov.au). Details regarding procedures are available from:

The Review Team
Australian Public Service Commission
PO Box 20636
WORLD SQUARE POST OFFICE
SYDNEY NSW 2002

Or by accessing the following link: http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Service_Legislation

Further information

Contact the Human Resource Management section, Department of the Senate, (02) 6277 5924 or HRM.sen@aph.gov.au. Additional information about the Department of the Senate, including the Enterprise Agreement (containing rates of pay and conditions of service), is available in our departmental pages.