Senior Legislation and Procedure Officer

The Department of the Senate is seeking applications from those interested in joining the Procedure Office in the role of Senior Legislation and Procedure Officer.

Senior Legislation and Procedure Officers are responsible for drafting amendments to legislation, private senators’ bills and procedural motions.

Senior Legislation and Procedure Officers are required to respond quickly and effectively to requests for information about legislation and Senate procedure from non-government senators and their staff, particularly on Senate sitting days.

Senior Legislation and Procedure Officers provide support to the Clerk Assistant (Procedure), the Director, Procedure and Research, the Assistant Director, Legislation and Procedure and other senior officers of the department, including undertaking research on topics relating to legislation, the Senate and the Parliament.

Senior Legislation and Procedure Officers undertake other work to support the Procedure and Research Section, as required.

The key duties of the position include:

1. Under guidance from senior officers:

- draft legislative documents, including private senators’ bills and amendments to legislation for non-government senators;
- provide written and verbal advice about legislation and Senate practice and procedure to non-government senators and their staff; and
- draft procedural motions for non-government senators.

2. Review documents prepared by senators and their staff, such as explanatory memorandums and second reading speeches.

3. Conduct research and analysis on subjects relating to legislation, the Senate and the Parliament.

4. Liaise with senators and their staff, departmental employees and senior officers as required.

5.



Provide administrative and other support to the Clerk Assistant (Procedure) and Procedure and Research Section, including guidance to junior staff.

Eligibility

Desirable

- Relevant tertiary qualifications (or progress towards relevant tertiary qualifications).
- Familiaritywith, and/or knowledge of, legislation.

Notes

A secondment arrangement from a Commonwealth department or agency may be considered.

The Department of the Senate is committed to being an inclusive employer. We aim to provide a supportive, versatile, 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.

Getting to know the Department of the Senate

The Department of the Senate provides the secretariat to the Senate – enabling its legislative and accountability activities – and to dozens of parliamentary committees, whose work encompasses the Senate’s scrutiny functions and its exercise of Parliament’s broad inquiry powers. In doing so, departmental officers provide the Senate, its committees, the President and other senators expert, impartial advice about Senate and committee operations. We publish the Senate’s records, and produce an array of information resources so that people may understand and engage in its work. With our colleagues across the Parliamentary Service we also provide specialised advice and logistical support to senators so they may undertake their duties.

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📌 Senior Legislation and Procedure Officer (Canberra)
🏢 Department of the Senate
📍 Canberra