Benefits of working in the PBO
The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) is a small vibrant office of around 40 staff. The PBO commenced operations as an independent institution of the Australian Parliament on 23 July 2012.
The purpose of the PBO is to inform the Parliament by providing independent and non-partisan analysis of the budget cycle, fiscal policy and the financial implication of policy proposals. The PBO deals in facts and objective analysis, remains non-partisan at all times, and does not take sides in policy debates.
The PBO seeks to help level the political playing field by preparing policy costings and budget analyses for any parliamentarian who requests such services. The PBO also promotes transparency and public understanding of the budget and fiscal policy settings through its self-initiated program of published research.
The PBO offers staff a wide variety of work, to both challenge and develop their skills. The PBO’s mandate spans the entire breadth of the Australian Government’s budget and associated fiscal policies. This means that PBO staff quickly gain exposure to a wide range of fiscal policy issues. In doing this important work, the PBO and its staff are in a unique position to help educate the public and facilitate policy development across the political spectrum.
The PBO has a flexible working environment that provides opportunities for staff to work together collaboratively, often across formal organisational boundaries. Internal and external opportunities for learning and development are promoted, including access to studies assistance to undertake training which directly relates to the PBO’s functions and helps staff reach their career development goals.
The PBO is a close-knit working community that values the diverse range of skills and experience of its staff and actively encourages knowledge sharing between different staff groups. Free expression of ideas is also encouraged, with staff having ready access to the Senior Executive team and the Parliamentary Budget Officer to discuss constructive suggestions for improving the PBO’s operations.
The PBO has competitive remuneration arrangements in place that ensure it can attract and retain appropriately qualified and skilled staff who are in high demand from other Commonwealth agencies.
The PBO’s physical location is also a plus. As the PBO is located within Australia’s Parliament House, staff have access to a wide variety of amenities including cafes, on-site childcare, recreational gym facilities, a post office and bank, free and secure car parking, the Parliamentary Library, and peaceful courtyards and gardens to be enjoyed.