DPS Library Temporary Employment Register 2025/2026
Date: 1 Jul 2025
Location: AU
Company: Department of Parliamentary Services
About the Department of Parliamentary Services
The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) supports the functions of the Australian Parliament and the work of Parliamentarians through the provision of professional services, advice and facilities, and the ongoing maintenance of Australian Parliament House (APH). Employing over 1,000 people, DPS works to deliver a diverse range of services including: security, reporting and broadcasting, library research, catering, visitor experience, art collections, building design integrity, Hansard, information technology and maintenance. The Department also has corporate and administrative functions including Human Resources, to support a growing diverse workforce.
The Parliamentary Library Temporary Employment Register
This register is designed to establish a database of appropriately skilled and experienced individuals, who may, at short notice, be further assessed to fill temporary non-ongoing positions for up to 18 months. Non-ongoing (temporary) employment opportunities may be offered on a full time, part time or intermittent / irregular (casual) basis.
You will only be contacted regarding your application if a vacancy arises that matches your skills and experience. There is no guarantee that an offer of employment will be made whilst your application remains on the register.
Roles within the Parliamentary Library
Since its establishment in 1901, the Parliamentary Library has served as a trusted source of information, analysis and advice for the Australian Parliament. The Library's services are confidential, impartial, and offered on an equal basis to all parliamentarians, parliamentary committees, and to staff acting on their behalf.
The Parliamentary Library provides access to books, journals and newspapers, comprehensive media monitoring and specialist databases. The Parliamentary Library is also one of Australia's major research libraries, providing tailored, confidential briefings and statistics to parliamentarians, parliamentary committees, and staff acting on their behalf. Expert researchers provide independent analysis of Bills before Parliament and publish quick guides, chronologies and in-depth research publications on issues before Parliament. The Parliamentary Library also maps a range of data including election and census results.
Take a look at our services to see just how much we do: aph.gov.au/library
From time to time positions are available in the following areas:
Research Branch
The Research Branch has 8 sections covering economic policy; foreign affairs, defence and security; law; politics and public administration; science, technology, environment and resources; social policy; statistics and mapping; and research support and coordination.
PSL2-5
Candidates will be expected to either provide administrative support to information and research staff and the director of the section, or undertake research activities (including identification, retrieval, analysis and synthesis of information from diverse sources). You will also perform writing, advisory, information management and dissemination tasks, including the preparation of reports, information products, publications and papers.
PSL6-PEL2
Candidates will be expected to undertake high quality professional, specialist and technical research on complex issues (including identifying, retrieving, analysing and synthesing information from diverse sources). You will provide analysis and advice to clients, research papers and information resources on the subject areas covered by the section to inform parliamentary clients and other stakeholders while maintaining the Library's high standards of scholarship and integrity. You should have excellent skills in research and writing, communicating, client service, with academic qualifications and experience in relevant fields. Relevant tertiary qualifications are advantageous but not essential.
Communications and Publishing
PSL4-PEL1
The Communications and Publishing team manages the library’s online presence including our website, Client Portal (intranet) and coordinates publication of engaging research, legislative analysis and data visualisation. We create and distribute Library communications to Parliamentarians and the wider community, and manage our social channels. Candidates will be expected to develop and distribute communications, maintain web platforms for the Parliamentary Library, and collaborate with researchers to enhance and publish engaging publications. Some roles lead graphic design and layout for promotional material, print publications and online content. You will actively develop effective working relationships across the Library, have close attention to detail and demonstrate a strong customer focus. Qualifications and/or experience in web publishing, communications or graphic design are highly desirable.
Client Services and Engagement
PSL3-PSL6
The Client Services and Engagement team delivers personalised outreach and training for parliamentarians and their staff to promote the use of library services and products. The team also provides front of house services (in person, online and by phone) to fulfill clients’ information needs, and connect them with subject experts and specialists. Candidates will work from the Central Enquiry Point (CEP).
Duties of PSL3 positions primarily include circulation, interlibrary loan, collection management and digitisation services. The duties of other roles vary according to the level but generally include, welcoming and onboard new clients, providing general and tailored training on library services and products, front of house information services and allocation of client requests.
All roles require excellent customer service and communication skills. Qualifications in library studies/information sciences are essential for the PSL3. Experience delivering training to clients and/or providing information or research services and/or a recognised library and information qualification is well regarded for PSL4-PSL6 positions.
Library Collections and Systems Branch
PSL2-5
Candidates will be expected to undertake the day-to-day activities related to acquisition, description, maintenance and development of library collections, both print and electronic. In Library Databases you will contribute to our digital repository through adding content and maintaining metadata. Skills in digitisation, digital collection development, and metadata editing, as well as strong computer literacy, will be highly regarded. In Collection Management you are expected to undertake activities to maintain the library collection, such as shelving, processing invoices and new acquisitions, or creating or amending bibliographic metadata. Vocational or professional degree qualifications in the library and information studies field are desirable.
PSL6-PEL2
Candidates will be expected to carry out the day-to-day management of the library collections by supervising teams and processes. You will undertake management activities related to procurement, contracts, projects, systems, finance, personnel, and stakeholder engagement. You will represent the Library in forums across the parliamentary departments, provide strategic advice to the Assistant Secretary and Parliamentary Librarian, and assist in the development of policy around the Library’s collecting activities and services. Professional degree qualifications in library and information studies, or qualifications in project management and/or information technology are essential.
Conditions of employment
Employment opportunities at the Department of Parliamentary Services is subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:
Australian citizenship – to be eligible for employment with DPS, you must be an Australian citizen.
Security clearance and character clearance – if selected, you 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.
External Work Approval – Employees must seek approval for any paid employment outside the department and declare voluntary activities that could impact their role.
How to apply
Applicants are invited to register their interest by completing the online application form. Please ensure you nominate your Temporary Employment Register ‘Area of Interest/s’ and ‘Classification’. You will be required to upload a current resume and provide a 300 word pitch stating why you are interested in working in the Parliamentary Library and what skills and experience you can bring to the department.
Important Notes
- Employment opportunities may be offered on a short-term, non-ongoing, full-time, part- time, irregular/intermittent or sessional basis for an initial period of up to 12 months.
- There is no guarantee that an offer of employment will be made whilst your application remains on the register.
Classification
Parliamentary Service Level (PSL) positions are similar to Australian Public Service (APS) positions.
Parliamentary Executive Level (PEL) positions are similar to Australian Public Service Executive Level (EL) positions.
Closing date
The Parliamentary Library Temporary Employment Register will remain active for 12 months, closing 11:30pm Tuesday, 30 June 2026. After this time you will need to renew your registration by re-applying.
Contact details
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.
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.