Parliamentary Library Officer

Job Details

Job Title: Parliamentary Library Officer

Employment Type: Ongoing/Non-Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 4

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEST, 28 August 2026

Contact: Robin Bell, 02 6277 2648, robin.bell@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for a Parliamentary Service Level 4 (PSL4) Parliamentary Library Officer within the Parliamentary Library.

The Parliamentary Library provides high quality information, analysis and advice to Senators and Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary and representational roles. This position sits within the Library Collections and Systems Branch, which develops and maintains the information resources that support the research needs of our researchers, delivers news content for the current awareness of our parliamentary clients, and provides first-line client services. 

An ongoing opportunity is currently available in the Collection Management team, which shepherds deselected material through required financial asset procedures, coordinates the binding and repair of collection material, and assists with day-to-day serials tasks and library collection maintenance. 

This recruitment process will also be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing positions as they arise throughout the next year. The Library Collections and Systems branch employs PSL4 officers in the following other teams:

• Client Services and Engagement
• Library Subscriptions
• Library Databases
• Research Support and Coordination
• Cataloguing

Who we are looking for

Our ideal candidate will have:

• A client and teamwork focus
• Strong digital literacy and attention to detail
• Excellent communication and organisation skills
• Flexibility and a willingness to learn new skills
• An awareness of the work of the Parliament

Job Specific Requirements: 

• May require physical capacity to operate storage units and to manually handle collection material up to 6kg.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) security clearance.

Desirable qualifications:

• Qualifications in library or information studies are desirable.
• For roles involving research, writing and advisory tasks, applicants should have a university degree.

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 4 

Branch: Library Collections and Systems 

Section:  

Immediate supervisor: Assistant Director or 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. A focus on one of the following:
   
   

• • Delivering client service, in person, online and by phone, through tasks such as collection circulation, interlibrary loan, quick reference, and enquiry triage.
  • Shepherding deselected material through required financial asset procedures, coordinating the binding and repair of collection material, and assisting with day-to-day serials tasks and library collection maintenance. 
  • Assisting with library resource subscriptions through paying invoices, liaising with vendors, assisting users, and collating usage statistics.
  • Undertaking less complex research, writing and advisory tasks, including the analysis of information and preparation of advice and information products for parliamentary clients and internal stakeholders.
  • The cataloguing of print and electronic resources, and assisting in the maintenance of the catalogue authority database and discovery platform holdings.
  • Selecting articles from newspapers, journals and online sources relevant to the parliamentary environment, and enhancing their access by creating and quality assuring meaningful metadata.
    
    

2. Contribute to the continuous improvement of library and research services to ensure the needs of parliamentary clients are met, including day-to-day procedures and guidelines, as well as projects that align to the Library’s strategic goals.
   
   
3. Contribute to client service delivery by liaising with clients, colleagues, vendors, and external agencies, through requests received through systems, in the office, and at service points.
   
   
4. Contribute to corporate activities as required, by contributing administrative, technical and project support.

Selection Criteria

1. Experience in one or more of the following:
   
   

• • Delivering client service, in person, online and by phone, through tasks such as collection circulation, interlibrary loan, quick reference, and enquiry triage.
  • Shepherding deselected material through required financial asset procedures, coordinating the binding and repair of collection material, and assisting with day-to-day serials tasks and library collection maintenance. 
  • Assisting with library resource subscriptions through paying invoices, liaising with vendors, assisting users, and collating usage statistics.
  • Undertaking less complex research, writing and advisory tasks, including the analysis of information and preparation of advice and information products for parliamentary clients and internal stakeholders.
  • The cataloguing of print and electronic resources, and assisting in the maintenance of the catalogue authority database and discovery platform holdings.
  • Selecting articles from newspapers, journals and online sources relevant to the parliamentary environment, and enhancing their access by creating and quality assuring meaningful metadata.
    
    

2. Strong digital literacy skills and experience working in an online environment with the ability to quickly adapt to new systems.
   
   
3. Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team and respond in a positive and flexible manner to change.
   
   
4. Ability to meet work objectives and standards, completing tasks accurately and in a timely way to agreed priorities, while demonstrating high-quality recordkeeping.
   
   
5. A strong client focus and an ability to work to a high standard in a service delivery environment, liaising with clients, colleagues, vendors and external agencies as required.
   
   
6. An awareness of politics and current affairs.
   
   

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 (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 your application, please refer to 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 this position is $83,415 - $90,639 per annum.

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.