DPS Library Temporary Employment Register 2026/2027

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, the ongoing maintenance of Australian Parliament House (APH); and ensuring the building, and the important activity that takes place within, are accessible.

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.

Who is the Parliamentary Library looking for?

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) invites expressions of interest for inclusion in the Parliamentary Library Temporary Employment Register. Working in the Parliamentary Library offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-quality research, information services, client engagement, communications and publishing in a professional and intellectually stimulating environment.

Our ideal candidates will:

• demonstrate strong research, information management and customer service skills
• have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• show attention to detail and sound judgement
• work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• be adaptable and able to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you!

The 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.

About the Opportunities

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

Roles in the Parliamentary Library are varied, but generally involve three key types of work: research and analysis, library services, and other specialist functions that support the delivery of high-quality services to parliamentary clients. These roles require sound judgement, strong communication skills, attention to detail, adaptability and a commitment to confidential, impartial and client-focused service. Relevant tertiary, vocational or professional qualifications may be required for some roles and highly regarded for others.

Research roles

Research roles support the Parliament by providing impartial, confidential and high-quality information, analysis and advice across a broad range of public policy, legislative, statistical, and parliamentary subjects.

PSL2-5

Candidates will be expected to:

• provide administrative support to information and research staff, as well as the section Director
• undertake research tasks, including identifying, retrieving, analysing, and synthesising information from a range of sources.

PSL6-PEL2

Candidates will be expected to:

• undertake high-quality professional, specialist, and technical research on complex issues, including identifying, retrieving, analysing, and synthesising information from diverse sources
• provide analysis and advice to clients
• produce research publications to inform parliamentary clients and other stakeholders, while maintaining the Library’s high standards of scholarship and integrity.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• excellent research and analytical skills
• excellent written communication skills, with the ability to write for diverse audiences
• strong communication and client service skills.

Relevant tertiary qualifications and experience in a related field are advantageous, but not essential.

Library technical and professional roles

Library roles may involve client service, reference and enquiry support, circulation, interlibrary loans, collection management, digitisation, acquisitions, description, metadata management, and support for library systems and databases. Candidates may work directly with clients, connect requests with appropriate expertise, contribute to collection maintenance and development, and support access to reliable information resources.

Qualifications or experience in library and information studies, information management, client service, training, metadata, digitisation, collection management or related fields may be desirable or essential, depending on the role and classification level.

At higher classification levels, candidates may be expected to supervise people or processes, manage complex services or projects, provide professional or strategic advice, represent the Library in relevant forums, and contribute to policy, planning and continuous improvement activities.

Specialist roles

Specialist roles may support a range of functions, including publishing, communications, web content, data visualisation, digital services, project delivery, systems, procurement, contracts, finance, stakeholder engagement and other professional functions. Depending on the role, candidates may be required to prepare and distribute communications, maintain digital platforms, contribute to accessible publications and information products, and work collaboratively with colleagues to support services for parliamentary clients.

Relevant qualifications or experience in communications, publishing, design, digital content, project management, information technology or related specialist fields may be highly regarded, depending on the role.

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 at APH
• childcare (pending availability), banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more available at APH.

Conditions of Employment

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

• Australian citizenship: Section 22 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 requires that employees of the Parliamentary Service are generally required to be Australian citizens. However, if you are not an Australian citizen you may be considered for engagement on the condition that you are able to gain Australian Citizenship within a specified time. Failure to obtain citizenship within the timeframe could lead to termination of employment.

• Loss and resumption of Australian citizenship: Under historical provisions of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 (section 17), some Australian citizens automatically lost their citizenship if they voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country between 26 January 1949 and 3 April 2002. This loss occurred by operation of law and may not have been known to the individual at the time. Although these provisions were repealed in 2002 to allow dual citizenship, the repeal did not restore citizenship that was previously lost. Individuals who believe they may be affected are recommended to seek advice about resuming their Australian citizenship. Further information, is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
  • Applicants who progress to the offer stage with our department who have been affected by the loss of citizenship as outlined above will be required to demonstrate within a reasonable time that they have resumed, or are actively undertaking the process to resume, Australian citizenship.

• 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.

• 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.

If you experience any difficulties submitting your online application, please contact the DPS Recruitment Team on (02) 6277 5200 (option 1) or dps.recruitment@aph.gov.au

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.

Classifications

• 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 Wednesday, 30 June 2027. After this time you will need to renew your registration by re-applying.

Contact details

Name:  DPS Recruitment
Phone Number:  02 6277 5200
Email:  dps.recruitment@aph.gov.au

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.