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The Department of the House of Representatives provides services to support the efficient conduct of the House of Representatives, its committees and certain joint committees as well as a range of services and facilities for Members in Parliament House. The Department also undertakes activities to promote the work of the House in the community and is responsible for the conduct of the Parliament's international and regional relations. The Department of the House of Representatives is "Investors in People" accredited. "Investors in People" is an internationally recognised quality standard that sets a level of good practice for improving performance through people. Investing in people gives us a practical link between our personal development and corporate goals.
The Department of the Senate provides the Senate, its committees, the President of the Senate and Senators with a broad range of advisory and support services related to the exercise of the legislative power of the Commonwealth. In supporting the operations of the Senate and its committees, the Department provides services in four main categories: Senate support, committee support, Senators' services and public education and awareness. The Department is responsible to the Senate and all Senators and maintains complete impartiality in serving Senators from all political parties and independent Senators.
The Department of the House of Representatives and the Department of the Senate are offering placements, for periods of 3 months, to graduates who have been accepted into existing government department graduate programs. The Graduate Program is designed to give graduates exposure to the Departments' work in supporting the Parliament.
The skills and knowledge graduates obtain through the Program will assist in building the foundation for career progression and professional development. We are looking for outstanding graduates from a range of disciplines who are highly motivated with sound research and analytical skills, effective communication skills and good people skills.
A placement with either department is a graduate’s opportunity to be involved in the political process without being political. A diverse range of challenging and rewarding work for graduates is offered through a variety of work areas.
Placements offer graduates a rewarding opportunity in a high-profile environment with excellent professional development opportunities. The parliamentary departments have a strong commitment to the development of their people and graduates will have access to parliamentary specific training during their placement.
Graduates can expect to work in areas which complement placements in their employing departments. Placements may include:
work with a Committee Secretariat providing research and administrative support to Parliamentary Committees;
providing support to the House of Representatives or Senate Chamber;
work with the Parliamentary Relations Office, supporting the work of international parliamentary relations; or
work with the Liaison and Projects Office or the Senate Procedure Office promoting the community’s understanding of, and interaction with, the work of the Houses and the Commonwealth Parliament.
Performance Assessment At the end of the placement, a formal assessment of the graduate’s work performance against set work objectives will be conducted. The assessment will involve consultation between the graduate and their supervisor. A report outlining the assessment findings will be forwarded to the graduate’s employing department at the completion of the placement.
Graduates participating in existing graduate programs with Commonwealth Government Departments are eligible to apply. Graduates are assessed on the basis of their academic achievements.
Graduates from a wide range of disciplines are encouraged to apply. Disciplines may include, but are not limited to, economics, law/legal studies, engineering, business/administration, industrial relations, languages, environmental studies, accounting, statistics, commerce, social and public policy, politics, arts, agriculture, human resources, fisheries and science. Successful applicants will be placed in a work area that complements their experience while developing their skills.Conditions of service and salary will continue to be administered by the graduate’s employing department. At the completion of the placement the appropriate parliamentary department will reimburse the employing department for the graduate’s associated salary costs.
Applications are subject to a merit selection process. As a minimum requirement applicants must:
be participating in an existing graduate program with a Commonwealth Government Department;
hold a 3-year bachelor degree from an Australian University or a degree recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition as equivalent; and
be an Australian citizen.
To be successful in obtaining a position as a Graduate with the parliamentary departments, applicants will need to possess:
appropriate academic qualifications;
high level analytical, research and evaluation skills;
sound written and oral communication skills;
an ability to contribute ideas and demonstrate initiative and flexibility;
the ability to organise, schedule, prioritise and complete assigned tasks; and
a genuine interest in parliamentary procedure and practice.
Applications for the 2009 Graduate Program have now closed.
Got a question about our Graduate Program? Check our Graduate FAQs.
Read the testimonials of some of our past Graduates.
For further information about the Graduate Programs, please contact:
Leesa Jess
Assistant Director (A/g)
People Strategies
02 6277 4146
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The Department of the House of Representatives is an Investor in People organisation and it upholds the principles and practices of Workplace Diversity. |