Key Responsibilities & Operational Scope

The core responsibilities and primary duties for this position within Department of the Senate include:

• The Clerk of the Senate is the principal adviser in relation to the proceedings of the Senate to the President of the Senate, the Deputy President and Chair of Committees, and to senators generally. The Clerk’s advice is given both in the Senate chamber when the Senate is sitting and at other times, and may be in oral or written form. Each senator has access to the advice on an equal and confidential basis. Advice principally goes to the operations of the Senate and its committees; the powers, privileges and immunities of the Senate, and parliamentary administration. The Clerk is secretary and adviser to the Senate Procedure Committee.
• As the Accountable Authority and departmental head of the Department of the Senate, the Clerk is responsible for the leadership and setting the strategic direction of the department. The Clerk performs the functions of a secretary of a department under the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 and other laws governing the Commonwealth public sector, such as the Public Performance, Governance and Accountability Act 2013.
• The Clerk works with the heads of the other parliamentary departments (Department of the House of Representatives, Department of Parliamentary Services and Parliamentary Budget Office) and the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service to identify opportunities for collaboration and cooperative decision-making, strengthening the effectiveness of the parliamentary administration to advance its common purpose of supporting Australia’s Parliament and parliamentarians.
• Mandatory statutory requirement
• Extensive knowledge of, and experience in, relevant parliamentary law, procedure and practice.
• The Clerk is appointed by the President of the Senate after consultation with senators for a non-renewable term of 10 years. The position is located in Canberra, Australia. The total remuneration package is currently $502,180 (Australian Dollars), with other terms and conditions determined by the President of the Senate.

Mandatory Eligibility & Security Clearance

Applicants must satisfy the following statutory and organizational requirements:

• Citizenship: Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, candidates must generally be Australian citizens to be eligible for engagement.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) security clearance (Baseline, Negative Vetting 1, or Negative Vetting 2 as required by the agency).
• Probationary Period: Employment may be subject to a probationary period, character checks, and pre-engagement screening.

Working Arrangements & Public Sector Benefits

Work Model: On Site. Details: Canberra.

Australian Public Service positions provide comprehensive Commonwealth benefits including a standard 15.4% employer superannuation contribution, attractive leave provisions, and structured career progression pathways across the Australian Public Service.