Between them the department’s three Clerk Assistants lead and manage five offices in the Senate department. The current allocation of offices to each position, and the responsibilities of those offices, can be found here. Candidates will have a high degree of managerial expertise and exceptional skills leading and developing staff.

Each Clerk Assistant plays a pivotal role in providing advice and support to the President of the Senate, the Deputy President and other senators in the Senate, to facilitate its proceedings. They also provide more detailed advice, both orally and in writing, in a variety of settings. This includes drafting procedural and legislative materials, providing secretariat support to Senate committees and managing a range of parliamentary and corporate matters.

The department has a policy of rotation at this level and a factor in any selection process is the suitability of applicants to move between the different positions. In the past this has included rotation to the position of Usher of the Black Rod/Chief Operating Officer. All SES positions have a significant element of personal responsibility for the direct delivery of services and advice including providing advice to senators in the Senate.

All SES officers participate in the corporate and strategic leadership of the department and are involved in the delivery of seminars and information sessions to others, including senators, their staff and incoming parliamentary delegations, on the operations of the Senate.

1. Provide advice to senators and others about the operations of the Senate and its committees.
2.



Manage one or more offices providing parliamentary advice and support and delivering a diverse range of services.
3. Serve as a Clerk at the Table in the Senate.
4. Draft, and oversee the drafting of, procedural and legislative material.
5. Provide advice and support to Senate committees.
6. Undertake high-level departmental management responsibilities and liaise with colleagues across the parliamentary service.
7. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, including by mentoring staff and leading learning and development activities.
8. Represent the department at high-level interdepartmental committees, working parties and conferences.

To apply, you are asked to provide a two-page pitch detailing your suitability to perform the duties of the position. You are also asked to provide a copy of your CV or résumé and performance assessments or equivalent documentation, from the previous two years.

This position will involve working additional hours when parliament is sitting. Domestic and international travel may be required.

Senior Executive Service employees are required to declare any actual or perceived conflicts of interest annually.

The Department of the Senate is committed to being an inclusive employer. We aim to provide a supportive, adaptable, and fair workplace that recognises the diversity within the Australian community, where all employees feel respected, valued and supported to best contribute to our work. We encourage applications from First Nations’ people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQA+, mature aged employees and people with caring responsibilities.

📌 Clerk Assistant (Australia)
🏢 Department of the Senate
📍 Australia