Customer Service Retail Assistant

Job Details

Job Title: Customer Service Retail Assistant

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 1

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 2 February 2026 

Contact: Bente Phillips, 02 6277 5050, bente.phillips@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

Would you like to work in one of Australia’s most iconic buildings, Australian Parliament House (APH), in a rewarding customer service role? The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is inviting applications for part-time and casual PSL 1, Customer Service Retail Assistants to work in the Parliament Shop.

We are seeking team members who are available to work across a 7-day roster, as APH is open to visitors 364 days a year. 

Who we are looking for

Our ideal candidates will have a passion for and experience in customer service, can communicate with confidence and display engaging interpersonal skills.

Job Specific Requirements: 

•    The positions require walking and standing on a range of surfaces. It also requires talking and interacting with the public and building occupants for extended periods. 
•    The successful applicants will also work on a roster where weekend, public holidays and some after-hours work may be required.  
•    Willingness to wear a uniform. 
•    Successful candidates will undertake a pre-employment medical assessment prior to commencing work.

•  The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) security clearance.

At DPS, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as neurodivergent, and mature aged people.

Duty Statement

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 1 

Branch: Parliamentary Engagement 

Section: Parliament Shop & Ecommerce 

Immediate supervisor: Parliament Shop Manager

Duty Statement

Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the specified classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.    Provide high quality customer service to visitors and building occupants in the Parliament Shop

2.    Support the Parliament Shop through providing services including answering enquiries, promoting products, undertaking point of sale transactions and gift wrapping

3.    Understand and support the strategic direction for the Parliamentary Engagement Branch, and specifically for the Parliament Shop & E-Commerce section

4.    As part of a team participate in learning and professional development programs to enrich your knowledge and develop skills

5.    Perform administrative tasks and other duties as required by the management team, aligning to work level standards. 

Selection Criteria 

1. Communicates with Influence

  
•    Well-developed interpersonal communication, ideally developed in a customer service role. 
•    Adapts communication style to address the needs of different customers.
 
 2. Achieves results in a customer focused workplace

 
•    Demonstrated experience in delivering high quality customer service for visitors and guests.  
•    Works proactively with colleagues to meet deadlines and time frames. 
•    Ability and willingness to utilise a variety of computer applications including the Microsoft Office suite of products.
  
3. Displays personal drive and integrity 

•    Remains positive and responds to pressure in a calm manner. 
•    Ability to take responsibility for allocated tasks and work in line with appropriate policy and work procedures.
 
4. Supports productive relationships 

•    Ability to work as a flexible member of a team to support organisational goals, values and codes of conduct. 
•    Builds and sustains positive relationships with team members and customers.

Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.

How to apply

Please upload a pitch (500 words maximum) describing how your skills and experience would contribute to the role and work of the department. 

Your pitch is an opportunity to tell us why you want to work at DPS, why you are interested in the role and what you can offer in the role. Frame your pitch around the role description and relevant ILS Profile. Make sure to use relevant examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the role. 

For additional guidance when crafting you application, please refer to the the DPS Recruitment Candidate Information Pack, which provides helpful tips on how to structure your pitch and highlight your most relevant skills and experience effectively.

Our purpose and values

We proudly provide innovative, unified, and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and parliamentarians. We are a values driven department, placing our values at the heart of everything we do; from our service offerings and decision making to our interactions with stakeholders and each other.  

Our people are employed in a broad and unique range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles, all joined by a shared purpose: to make an enduring contribution to Australia’s parliamentary democracy. We have an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. While we come from all walks of life, we share a commitment to care for and protect our iconic workplace. 

Every year, almost one million people visit Australian Parliament House to experience the parliamentary process, the building’s architecture, nationally significant art collections, events, tours, and food and dining experiences – all made possible by our people, who are active participants in an environment where no two days are the same.

What we can offer

Join our community based on innovative, unified, and client-focused services, where your skills and development will be nurtured. You will also enjoy:  

• flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational needs of the roles
• ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities 
• a competitive remuneration package
• free on-site parking
• free gym membership and access to recreational facilities available a APH
• childcare (pending availability), banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more available at APH.

Salary

Currently, the salary range for this position is $61,100 - $69,910 per annum.

Conditions of Employment

Employment opportunities at Department of Parliamentary Services are subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:

•    Australian citizenship – to be eligible for employment with DPS, applicants must be an Australian Citizen. 

•    Security clearance and character clearance – the preferred applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level specified, as well as complete and be deemed suitable through a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. 

•    Health assessment – a pre-employment health assessment will be required where there are physical or medical requirements for the role.