Senior Communications Officer

Job Details

Job Title: Senior Communications Officer

Employment Type: Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Service Level 6

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEST, 27 August 2026

Contact: Melinda Jones, 02 6277 8665, melinda.jones@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for a Parliamentary Services Level 6, Senior Communications Officer within the Communications and Media section.

In this role you will work with stakeholders to understand their communication needs and develop and implement communication approaches.

You will also draft, edit and publish high-quality content for intranet, internet and other channels. 

You will need to maintain and manage a communications approval process, coordinating stakeholder input in accordance with governance arrangements and timeframes. 

The role also requires the ability to develop and sustain productive relationships across DPS and other Parliamentary Departments.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced and motivated communications professional to join the Communications and Media Team. The ideal candidate will have experience leading and delivering communication plans and activities, including evaluating outcomes that support organisational objectives.

Excellent writing and editing skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to produce clear, accurate and fit-for-purpose content across a range of channels and audiences are essential.

You will also need to demonstrate the ability to plan and manage competing priorities with minimal supervision, in a fast-paced and flexible environment.

A sound understanding of the workings of the Australian Parliament, government and media cycles is highly desirable. A relevant qualification and/or a minimum of 5 years working in a communications role will be highly regarded.

Job Specific Requirements:

  
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 6 

Branch: Parliamentary Communications and Governance

Section: Communications & Media 

Immediate supervisor: Assistant Director, Communications and Media

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.    Engage with stakeholders to scope communication needs and develop and implement communication approaches, key messages and content that support DPS priorities and business outcomes.

2.    Draft, edit and publish high-quality content for intranet, internet and other channels, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, brand alignment and appropriate handling of sensitive information.

3.    Maintain and manage a communications approval process, coordinating stakeholder input to produce and disseminate key communications in accordance with agreed governance arrangements and timeframes.

4.    Develop and sustain productive relationships across DPS and other Parliamentary Departments to support coordinated messaging, manage interdependencies and deliver communication outcomes.

5.    Monitor and evaluate communication activities against objectives, using data and stakeholder feedback to provide insights, identify risks and opportunities, and drive continuous improvement and innovation.

6.    Provide timely, practical communication advice and support to business areas and the team, including contributing to issues management and time-critical tasks as required.

7.    Model APS/Parliamentary Service Values, support a positive and inclusive team culture, and share knowledge to strengthen team capability and delivery.

Selection Criteria 

1.    Demonstrated experience leading and delivering communication plans and activities, including identifying objectives, development of key messages, implementation and evaluation in line with achieving organisational objectives.

2.    Excellent writing and editing skills with strong attention to detail, including the ability to produce clear, accurate and fit-for-purpose content across a range of channels and audiences within tight timeframes.

3.    Demonstrated ability to plan and manage competing priorities with minimal supervision, including coordinating approvals, changes and delivering high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced and flexible environment.

4.    Well-developed stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to build trust, negotiate outcomes, manage sensitivities, and provide timely, considered communication advice to influence decisions.

5.    Demonstrated integrity, professionalism and sound judgement, including maintaining confidentiality, acting with integrity and modelling behaviours consistent with the Parliamentary Service Values and Code of Conduct.

6.    Sound understanding of the workings of parliament house and government operations.

 
7.    Experience working with SharePoint, Sitecore and Canva. A relevant tertiary qualification and/or a minimum of 5 years working in a communications role will be highly regarded. 

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 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 a 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 $101,168 - $113,706 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.