Legal Researcher and Senior Legal Researcher

Job Details

Job Title: Legal Researcher and Senior Legal Researcher

Employment Type: Ongoing/Non-Ongoing

Classification: PSL6 & PEL1

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, Sunday 29 March 2026

Contact: Michele Brennan, 02 6277 2764, michele.brennan@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Research Branch of the Parliamentary Library is recruiting Legal Researchers and Senior Legal Researchers for the Law and Bills Digest Section. These positions require legal qualifications.

Parliamentary Library researchers provide high quality information, analysis and advice to Senators and Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary and representational roles. The work is diverse and challenging and involves providing information or tailored briefings directly to Senators, Members and their staff, often within tight deadlines. The work also involves writing publications, which may include analysis of policy, budget documents and legislation.

The Law and Bills Digest Section works across a range of legal issues of relevance to the Parliament, including responding directly to requests for information from parliamentarians and preparing publications (in particular, Bills Digests). 

A merit pool created from this recruitment process may be used to fill ongoing or non-ongoing positions that may arise over the next 18 months. Candidates are welcome to apply and be considered for both positions during the application process.

Who we are looking for

The Law and Bills Digest Section is looking for legal researchers and senior legal researchers with sound judgement who can work across a range of areas of law and legal issues relevant to Parliament. You will need to be able to succinctly and accurately summarise and explain complex legal issues and legislation in a clear, non-technical manner.

The roles requires an ability to write clearly and succinctly, and to quickly find and provide accurate, relevant information and advice to parliamentary clients. As a guide, Legal Researchers are generally expected to have a minimum of 2-3 years experience, while Senior Legal Researchers typically bring at least 4 years of relevant experience.

Job Specific Requirements: 

• Researchers in the Law & Bills Digest Section are required to have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) qualification (as a minimum). 
• Skills in writing for non-technical audiences is highly desirable. Also important is the ability and willingness to develop knowledge in new areas.
• 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 - Legal Researcher

Classification: Parlimentary Service Level 6

Branch: Research 

Section: Law & Bills Digest 

Immediate supervisor: Senior Legal Researcher

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. Providing high quality research, analysis and advice on complex issues (including the identification, retrieval, analysis and synthesis of information from diverse sources) to clients and internal stakeholders on legal matters.
   
   
2. Write or contribute to Bills Digests as allocated and in accordance with requirements, including adherence to timeframes. 
   
   
3. Contribute to research papers and information resources on a range of matters to inform parliamentary clients and other stakeholders, and that maintain the Library’s high standards of scholarship and integrity.
            
4. Providing high quality service delivery or corporate support functions, including managing client expectations.
   
   
5. Continue to develop professional networks, competence and expertise, especially in new areas. Actively developing effective, collaborative and strategic working relationships across the organisation, with other organisations, and with clients and other stakeholders, and if necessary supervising, mentoring, and/or coaching other staff.

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.

Duty Statement - Senior Legal Researcher

Classification: Parlimentary Executive Level 1

Branch: Research 

Section: Law & Bills Digest 

Immediate supervisor: Principal Legal Officer

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. Providing high quality research, analysis and advice on complex issues (including the identification, retrieval, analysis and synthesis of information from diverse sources) to clients and internal stakeholders on legal matters
   
   
2. Write, co-write and/or review Bills Digests as allocated and in accordance with requirements, including adherence to timeframes
   
   
3. Preparing research papers and information resources on a range of matters to inform parliamentary clients and other stakeholders, and that maintain the Library’s high standards of scholarship and integrity
   
   
4. Providing high quality service delivery or corporate support functions, including managing client expectations
   
   
5. Actively developing effective, collaborative and strategic working relationships across the organisation, with other organisations, and with clients and other stakeholders, and if necessary supervising, mentoring, and/or coaching other staff.

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.

Selection Criteria - Legal Researcher

1.Ability to perform complex research and analysis

• Conducts high-quality research and analysis, and provides advice on complex issues
• Uses diverse information and database services
• Works quickly while maintaining accuracy
  
  

2. Cultivates productive working relationships

• Develops internal and external relationships to support work objectives
• Facilitates cooperation and works collaboratively
• Values individual differences and diversity
• Works constructively to resolve conflict
  
  

3. Personal and professional qualities

• Works under limited supervision and manages competing priorities
• Possesses strong client service ethic
• Demonstrates probity and accountability, initiative, resilience and good judgement
• Prepared to develop new areas of expertise, and committed to professional development
  
  

4. Communication skills

• High-level writing skills and the ability to write research and analysis products in various formats
• Communicates clearly and appropriately, including listening, understanding and adapting to audience
• Negotiates persuasively
• Tailors responses according to client requirements
  
  

5. Understanding of the parliamentary and political environment

• Knowledge of the context, role and operations of Parliament.
• Understands the role and functions of key Parliamentary bodies and processes.
• Deals sensitively, impartially and objectively with controversial issues.
  
  

6. Eligibility and/or job specific requirements

• Applicants should have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD), as a minimum.
• Skills in writing for non-technical audiences is highly desirable. Also important is the ability and willingness to develop knowledge in new areas.
  
  

Selection Criteria - Senior Legal Researcher

1.Ability to perform complex research and analysis

• Conducts high-quality research and analysis, and provides advice on complex issues
• Uses diverse information and database services
• Works quickly while maintaining accuracy
  
  

2. Cultivates productive working relationships

• Develops internal and external relationships to support work objectives
• Facilitates cooperation and works collaboratively
• Values individual differences and diversity
• Works constructively to resolve conflict
  
  

3. Personal and professional qualities

• Works under limited supervision and manages competing priorities
• Possesses strong client service ethic
• Demonstrates probity and accountability, initiative, resilience and good judgement
• Prepared to develop new areas of expertise, and committed to professional development
  
  

4. Communication skills

• High-level writing skills and the ability to write research and analysis products in various formats
• Communicates clearly and appropriately, including listening, understanding and adapting to audience
• Negotiates persuasively
• Tailors responses according to client requirements
  
  

5. Understanding of the parliamentary and political environment

• Knowledge of the context, role and operations of Parliament
• Understands the role and function of key Parliamentary bodies and processes
• Deals sensitively, impartially and objectively with controversial issues
  
  

6. Eligibility and/or job specific requirements

• Senior Researchers in the Law & Bills Digest Section should have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD), as a minimum.
• Skills in writing for non-technical audiences is highly desirable. Also important is the ability and willingness to develop knowledge in new areas.
  
  

How to apply

Please upload a pitch (750 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 at APH
• childcare (pending availability), banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more available at APH.

Salary

Currently, the salary range for the PSL6 Legal Researcher position is $101,168 - $113,706 per annum. 

For the position of PEL1 Senior Legal Researcher an attractive salary, which could be negotiated with the successful candidate, is on offer.

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.