Research Assistant

Job Details

Job Title: Research Assistant

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 4

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 29 August 2025

Contact: Jaan Murphy, 6277 5105, jaan.murphy@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Research Branch of the Parliamentary Library is recruiting a Research Assistant with legal qualifications for the Law and Bills Digest Section.

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).

Who we are looking for

The Law and Bills Digest Section is looking for a legal researcher 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 legal issues and legislation in a clear, non-technical manner.

This role requires an ability to write clearly and succinctly, and to quickly find and provide accurate, relevant information and advice to parliamentary clients.

This is an ongoing position. Any 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.

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).
• 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 4 

Branch: Research 

Section: Law & Bills Digest 

Immediate supervisor: Parliamentary Executive Level 1 (Senior Researcher)

Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the Parliamentary Service Level 4 classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Undertaking less complex research tasks (including the identification, retrieval, analysis and synthesis of information from multiple sources) for the benefit of parliamentary clients and internal stakeholders.
2. Undertaking less complex writing, advisory, information management and dissemination tasks, including the preparation of advice and information products for parliamentary clients and internal stakeholders and contributing to publications and papers.
3. Developing and maintain professional networks, and knowledge and understanding of information sources and developments. Actively developing effective, collaborative and strategic working relationships across the organisation, with other organisations, and with clients and other stakeholders.
4. Contributing to building and maintaining section resources and to corporate activities, including by providing administrative and technical support to the senior officers in the section and branch.

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 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:  

•    access to flexible work arrangements 
•    ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities 
•    a competitive remuneration package
•    free secure underground parking
•    free gym membership and access to recreational facilities
•    on-site childcare, banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more.

Salary

Currently, the salary range for this position is $80,672 - $87,659 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.