The Department of the Senate offers targeted training programs for public servants and representatives from not-for-profit organisations. Sessions are offered in-person and online, although in-person attendance is encouraged for some sessions. See further information about registrations and visiting Parliament House.

Connection details for online participants and information for attending in-person will be provided five business days prior to the session date, after registrations have closed.

Not-for-profit training

Engaging with Senate committees

10:00 am – 12:00 pm AEST

This session is designed to introduce representatives from not-for-profit organisations to the Senate’s committee system. It will explore the purposes, powers and operation of different types of committees. Participants will receive practical information about engaging with Senate committees including preparing submissions and providing evidence at committee hearings.

Format: Online
Cost: Free
Audience: Representatives from not-for-profit organisations

Dates: 4 August

APS training program

Senate fundamentals

10:00 am – 1:00 pm AEDT / AEST

This session is designed to provide public servants with an introduction to the Senate’s origins, work and functions. It examines the Senate’s constitutional powers and limitations and includes an overview of how the Senate’s work is carried out in the chamber and through Senate committees, including in relation to legislation and government scrutiny. Participants will learn how to access information to assist them in monitoring and understanding the Senate’s work.

Format: Online and in-person (includes a chamber visit therefore in-person attendance is encouraged)
Cost: $360 per person
Target audience: APS officers who engage with or monitor the work of the Senate

Dates: 17 February 25 August

The legislative process

10:00 am – 1:00 pm AEST

This session is designed to give public servants an understanding of the legislative process and provide some strategies for monitoring and facilitating the progress of bills through the Parliament. It provides an overview of the legislative process, including the amendment of bills, the role of Senate committees in reviewing legislation, disagreements between the two houses, and royal assent and commencement. It also provides an overview of parliamentary consideration of delegated legislation. 

Format: Online and in-person
Cost: $360 per person
Target audience: APS officers engaged in developing or monitoring the passage of legislation through the Parliament

Dates: 5 May 29 September

Senate estimates for non-SES officers

10:00 am – 1:00 pm AEDT

This session is designed to support public servants who monitor the estimates process or who prepare information for their department or agency for estimates. It takes a detailed look at the estimates cycle, including the questions on notice process, and provides users with practical skills and resources to engage in all aspects of the estimates process.

Format: Online and in-person
Cost: $360 per person
Target audience: APS officers who monitor or provide information for Senate estimates

Dates: 22 April 1 September

Engaging with Senate estimates for SES Officers

10:00 am – 1:00 pm AEDT

This session is designed for Senior Executive Service officers and focuses on the accountability of public servants to Parliament. It provides an in-depth look at the Senate’s role in scrutinising government expenditure and operations and examines the key procedural points for Senate estimates hearings. Participants will explore practical aspects of appearing before estimates committees.

Format: Online and in-person (in-person attendance is encouraged to facilitate group discussion)
Cost: $360 per person
Target audience: Senior Executive Service officers

Dates: 21 April 22 September

Senate committees inquiries

10:00 am – 12:00 pm AEST

This session is designed to introduce the Senate’s committee system to public servants who prepare submissions and other forms of evidence or information for Senate committees. It provides an overview of the powers and operation of different types of Senate committees. Participants will receive practical strategies for monitoring and engaging with different aspects of the committee process.

Format: Online and in-person
Cost: $240 per person
Target audience: APS officers who monitor or prepare submissions or briefings relating to Senate Committee inquiries

Dates: 16 June

Working with the Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee

10:00 am – 12:00 pm AEST

This session is aimed at those involved in developing primary legislation and accompanying explanatory materials. It focuses on the technical scrutiny principles against which the Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee assess legislation. It considers the committee’s expectations in relation to the framing of legislation and related explanatory materials, their reporting processes, and the main sources of guidance and support for negotiating the passage of legislation through the legislative scrutiny process.

Format: Online and in-person
Cost: $240 per person
Target audience: APS officers engaged in developing or monitoring primary legislation

Dates: 19 May

Working with the Senate Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee

10:00 am – 12:00 pm AEST

This session is designed to provide public servants involved in developing or drafting delegated legislation and explanatory statements with practical guidance for working with the Senate Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee. The session focuses on the expectations and work practices of the committee in relation to delegated legislation. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the committee’s technical scrutiny principles against which it assesses delegated legislation, as well as the committee’s expectations for explanatory statements.

Format: Online and in-person
Cost: $240 per person
Target audience: APS officers engaged in drafting or monitoring delegated legislation 

Dates: 21 July

Working with the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights

10:00 am – 12:00 pm AEST

This session is designed for public servants responsible for preparing delegated and primary legislation, as well as explanatory materials, particularly statements of compatibility with human rights. It explores the role and functions of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, focusing on the analytical framework used by the committee in its scrutiny of legislation. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the committee’s expectations for statements of compatibility with human rights, its legal scrutiny and reporting processes, and the key resources available to support effective engagement with the committee’s work.

Format: Online and in-person
Cost: $240 per person
Target audience: APS officers engaged in developing, drafting or monitoring primary legislation

Dates: 10 November

Further information

Payment, cancellation and refund policy

Prices are current as of 1 January 2026.

All registrations, cancellations and amendments for training sessions close at 5 pm five business days prior to the session date. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after these deadlines or for non-attendance. Payment instructions will be issued once registrations have closed. Payment is due prior to attendance.

The department reserves the right to cancel sessions at any time. In this event, participants will be advised of this cancellation as soon as possible and no fee will be charged.

Privacy statement

The department of the Senate collects, holds and uses your personal information to administer the event that you have registered for and for associated support, and to respond to your enquiries or feedback. The department may also use your details to inform you of other relevant training and events that are provided by the department.

By registering for an event, you consent to the department collecting, holding and using your personal information for the purposes outlined above.

Visiting Parliament House

Information about visiting Parliament House, including parking arrangements, accessibility and security screening, is available at www.aph.gov.au.

Booking and contact information

For bookings and further information, please contact the Training Team by email to senate.training@aph.gov.au or phone on (02) 6277 3648.