Career Opportunities: EL1 - Assistant Directors, Ministerial, Cabinet, Parliamentary ******)
Requisition ID
*****
-Posted
10/09/2026
-
$126,838
-
$144,278
- Location of Position (1) -
Ongoing
-
Full Time
EL1 - Assistant Directors, Ministerial, Cabinet, Parliamentary, Government and Business Services
Title:
EL1 - Assistant Directors, Ministerial, Cabinet,
Parliamentary, Government and Business Services
Classification(s):
Employment Type:
Ongoing , Full Time
Business Division:
Enabling Services
Branch / Section:
Government and Business Services/Ministerial Services and
Cabinet
Government and Business Services/Parliamentary Services
Location:
We want to recruit the best people to our department. Our roles
support flexible work arrangements including the opportunity to
work from one of our departmental offices and hybrid (mixture of
office and home-based work).
These roles are located in Canberra.
A merit pool may be formed and used to fill future similar
vacancies in this location.
We actively seek to reflect the diversity of the Australian community in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople, people with disability and/or who are neurodivergent, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including people of all genders and gender identities. We uphold gender equality as a core organisational value. If you're interested in the role but feel uncertain, we still encourage you to apply if you feel your passions, transferable skills and valuable experience align with this position.
The chance we have available
Operating in a dynamic and complex environment, the Government and Business Services Branch is a trusted, client‐focused branch which enables the department to support Ministers' Offices through fit‐for‐purpose services and expert advice to support ministers and the department to make informed decisions and satisfy ministerial and parliamentary obligations. It is a respectful, inclusive and enjoyable place to work and grow.
There are several expected opportunities in our ministerial, parliamentary and Cabinet teams.
The
Ministerial Services and Cabinet
Section
and the
Parliamentary Services Section
play pivotal roles in the effective and effective management of workflow between the department and Ministers' Offices, Cabinet coordination functions, and supporting Parliamentary activities through providing strategic advice and support. This includes managing high-priority matters, coordinating processes, clear communication, and building and maintaining strong relationships with others. The Assistant Directors work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and seamless delivery across the department.
The Ministerial Services team leads and is responsible for the delivery of the ministerial workflow process and provides advice to the department and agencies on ministerial business processes and documents such submissions, briefs, and correspondence. The team manages workflows via PDMS+ ensuring documented procedures are followed and provides a daily courier service to ministers' offices.
The Cabinet team leads and is responsible for the delivery of the department's Cabinet business and support for Cabinet and Cabinet committee meetings, documents and procedures in accordance with Cabinet protocols via CabNet+. The team administers CabNet+ and manages the lodgement of the portfolio's Cabinet submissions, and coordinates and lodges departmental views on non-portfolio Cabinet submissions. The team also manages the handling of classified information via secure systems including the distribution of international cables.
The Parliamentary Services team leads and is responsible for the delivery of the department's involvement with Parliamentary processes and committees such as Question Time Briefs and Questions on Notice; manages the Tabling, Senate Estimates, Orders for the Production of Documents, and Parliamentary Committee Inquires functions and oversees the management and administration of the Parliamentary Document Management System (PDMS+). The team administers PDMS+ and the management, coordination, clearance and tabling of parliamentary documents, including reports, responses, and submissions. The team also manages the distribution of parliamentary material, sitting week products and committee correspondence.
What you will do
Assistant Directors in the ministerial, parliamentary and Cabinet teams provide high-level strategic and operational advice and support to the department including the Executive, departmental liaison officers, and ministerial offices. They exercise a high degree of autonomy, judgement and initiative to manage competing priorities, support decision-making and ensure the effective delivery of business outcomes. The role requires flexibility and responsiveness, including the capacity to meet demanding and often competing deadlines, with occasional work outside standard hours to support priority business.




You will have a varied and dynamic role with the following key duties:
provide strategic direction to the team to deliver efficient and effective services, supp ort for the department's processes, and to meet applicable government requirements
oversee the management and handling of ministerial, Cabinet or parliamentary business documents and coordination and liaison with business areas
build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders including the Executive, Departmental Liaison Officers, divisional/group support units, and colleagues in portfolio agencies and other portfolios
uplift staff capability and understanding of relevant protocols across the department and ensure the department and relevant agencies have access to high‐quality support and training
drive business improvement, including initiating, reviewing and managing implementation of streamlined workflows, quality assurance processes, guidance materials
lead, manage and develop team members and manage the team's workload, particularly during peak periods, and promote wellbeing, inclusion and psychological safety.
These roles may require the successful candidate to have occasional out‐of‐hours availability for Cabinet and Parliamentary related work including in the lead up to and during Budget, MYEFO and Senate Estimates periods.
All positions are expected to work collaboratively with Assistant Directors across the section and the wider Branch to coordinate activities, resolve cross‐team issues and provide operational coverage as required.
Inherent requirements for the role
The inherent requirements for this role include demonstrated capability against the El1 Work level standards and:
Strategic thinking
- Providing clear direction by aligning daily activities with the Department's strategic objectives, clearly communicating purpose, expectations, and how individual contributions support broader goals. Demonstrating a solid understanding of the Department's mission, considering the long‐term impacts of decisions, and ensuring operational alignment. Uses sound judgment and critical thinking to gather and analyse information, exploring different perspectives, identifying gaps, and developing solutions to support effective outcomes.
Achieving results
- Contributing own expertise to team goals. Reviewing performance to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and enhanced outcomes. Adaptable to changing requirements and leveraging the knowledge of others. Supports others through change, fostering collaboration by sharing information, and seeking stakeholder feedback to inform improvements
Cultivating productive working relationships
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Anticipating and responding to stakeholder needs through open communication and collaboration. Working effectively as part of a team, encouraging different perspectives and fostering inclusive, high‐performing team environments. Identifying development opportunities, delegating tasks to build capability, setting clear expectations, and providing timely feedback
Exemplifying personal drive and integrity
- Upholding the APS Values and Code of Conduct and acting with professionalism, ethically, and impartiality. Representing the Department effectively, providing forthright, impartial advice and constructively engaging with issues. Demonstrating accountability, taking ownership of own and team deliverables, showing initiative. Pursues continuous personal and professional development with a proactive and growth‐focused mindset.
Communicating with influence
- Communicates with clarity and confidence, using concise and unambiguous language tailored to audience. Structuring written and verbal communication for maximum impact, actively listening to others, and ensuring mutual understanding. Engages with stakeholders to build support and work toward outcomes that deliver mutual benefit.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.
The RecruitAbility minimum requirements are listed above under 'inherent requirements for the role'.
You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You must tick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will not automatically include you.
We provide reasonable adjustments such as access,



equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or get in touch with the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.
Desirable requirements include experience in using relevant information management systems such as the Parliamentary Document Management System (PDMS+) and CabNet+, or the ability to quickly learn use of these systems.
Cultural capability requirement
The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy *******.
As an EL1 you will be expected to:
Lead the integration of cultural considerations into work area outcomes.
Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
Champion cultural capability within teams and challenge culturally unsafe practices.
What else can we offer?
We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:
Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
Improve your leadership skills, through the department's Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
Flexible working opportunities, including part‐time hours, home based work and job sharing.
We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month's accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full‐time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.
Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well‐being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.
Eligibility requirements
Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act **** including:
Citizenship:
candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
Health Assessment:
The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department's preferred medical provider.
Security Clearance:
The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline for ministerial and parliamentary positions and Negative Vetting 1 clearance for Cabinet positions, or the ability to obtain this level of clearance. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website .
Police check:
The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
Integrity and Performance check:
The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.
Timeline and assessment
A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.
If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.
Applications open: 11 September ****
Application shortlisting: 2 October ****
Further assessments: week commencing 12 October ****
Offers and announcements: 6 November ****
Your application will be assessed against the inherent requirements of the role , the Work level standards and in comparison to other candidates who applied . Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews and reference checks.
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📌 El1 - Assistant Directors, Ministerial, Cabinet, Parliamentary (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
📍 Canberra