Working in the Office of the Legislative Assembly

Thank you for considering a position with the Office of the Legislative Assembly (OLA).

We offer our people interesting, diverse and challenging work opportunities that support all facets of the Assembly's operations, allowing its members and the institution to effectively perform a range of accountability, representation and legislative functions.

In serving the community, the Assembly, its members and the Office of Speaker, the Office values:

Independence - We value our independence from the Executive, not being subject to direction by the Executive or any Minister in the exercise of our functions. We value the principles and guidelines embodied the Latimer House Principles as a clear statement of the best practice operation of, and relationship between, the three branches of government. We value the checks and balances embodied in the ACT’s form of government, established in the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988, in which there are three separate and distinct branches of government (the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary).

Honesty and integrity - We are scrupulously honest in our dealings with MLAs, their staff, members of the community and each other and we stand up for our values in all of our dealings.

Interparliamentary relationships - We value the Office’s participation in, and interactions with, the wider community of parliaments.

Parliamentary service - We value the institution of parliament and the legislative, representative and accountability related roles performed by the Assembly and its committees. We value parliamentary service and the primacy of the legislative arm of government as the most direct embodiment of the will of the people of the ACT.

Respect - We show respect in all of our professional relationships.

Transparency and accountability - We are open about how we perform our roles and the decisions we make and we are accountable to the Office of the Speaker, the Assembly and its committees for the work we do.


Current vacancies

All vacancies are advertised on the Jobs ACT website. Click here to view the current vacancies (external site)


Temporary employment register

The Office of the Legislative Assembly Temporary Employment Register aims identify appropriately skilled and experienced individuals who may, at short notice, be further assessed to fill casual or fixed term vacancies for up to 12 months.

Casual employment opportunities

The Office will, from time to time, seek to employ on a casual basis the following:

Hansard editors are responsible for the production of the transcripts of assembly and committees proceedings.

Casual work may be offered during periods of peak workload, particularly assembly sitting weeks. Where possible, Hansard Editors are given advance warning that their services will be required. Casual work is generally offered between Monday and Friday, and may include some night work. Work will be offered on an hourly, part-day or daily basis depending on operational requirements at the Administration Services Officer 6 classification but casual staff receive a 25% loading in lieu of paid leave and payment for public holidays.

Attendants are responsible for providing front line customer service to Members of the Legislative Assembly, their staff, the Office of the Legislative Assembly staff, officials, visitors and the general public. Attendants conduct security screening; issue visitor passes; respond to telephone and face to face enquiries; provide administrative support to the Office including support for room hire arrangements; and work within the Assembly Chamber during sitting periods.

Attendants are engaged at the Administration Services Officer 2 classification but casual staff receive a 25% loading in lieu of paid leave and payment for public holidays. Attendants can be expected to work extended hours if engaged on Assembly sitting days. The Assembly sits for approximately 13 weeks per year.

Other employment opportunities

The Office is also interested in registering individuals who may be suited to work in the various functions performed by the Office including:

Fixed term vacancies of up to 12 months may arise in positions from an Administration Services Officer 2 to Senior Officer Grade A Classification.

Interested and suitably experienced individuals can register their interest in being considered for any fixed term vacancies that may arise within the Office by emailing a current resume and a cover letter detailing relevant experience and attributes to OLARecruitment@parliament.act.gov.au

Registrations of interest  will be assessed as fixed term vacancies arise and will remain active for a period of 12 months.


The selection process

The following information is intended to assist you in submitting your application and give you an understanding of OLA's recruitment procedures. It also provides some advice about employment conditions in OLA and, more generally, the ACT Public Service of which OLA is apart of.

Applicants are assessed via the selection process with staff being appointed to positions in OLA based on the merit, relevant abilities, qualifications, experience, personal qualities and the potential for development. The principles of merit, equity and diversity and procedural fairness are integral to the recruitment process.

Eligibility to apply

All applicants must meet the minimum citizenship requirements below:

Note: A New Zealand citizen who resides in Australia and holds a Special Category temporary residence visa (SCV) under the Migration Act 1958 (Commonwealth) is treated as a permanent resident of Australia.

Statement addressing the selection criteria

It is essential that you provide an outline of your claims in respect of each criterion. It is suggested that you use the selection criteria as headings and, under each, explain the relevance of your abilities, experience, qualifications and personal qualities. This is the most important part of your application. In preparing the statement, concentrate on the quality of the information provided, not quantity. Highlight achievements, which will demonstrate your claims against each of the criteria.

It may also be worth making contact with the contact officer to find out specific details of the position; this can help you when responding to criteria as they will be able to share more information with you about this position than what was in the documentation.

Conducting some research about OLA before responding to criteria may also assist you in responding to criteria, making your responses more relevant to our organisation.

Applicants should also refer to OLA's Capability Framework (PDF, 394KB)

which set out the key capabilities that staff are expected to demonstrate in order to fulfil their duties.

Note: Applications that do not address each of the selection criteria may not receive further consideration.

Submitting your application

To submit your application please visit the Jobs ACT website and click on the Apply Now button, complete each section of the online form, and attach your statement of claims against each of the selection criteria and current resume/CV.

If you do not have access to email, hard copy applications can be mailed to:

Recruitment, HR and Entitlements, Business Support Branch

Office of the Legislative Assembly
GPO Box 1020
Canberra ACT 2601

Late applications

Ensure that you lodge your application by the closing date. If you cannot meet the deadline for applications, you should discuss this with the contact officer, who may agree to accept a late application.


The interview process

The process of short listing applicants will be typically undertaken after the closing date for applications. This involves assessing your written application (resume/CV) and your responses to the selection criteria as outlined in the position description. Those candidates that are assessed as best meeting the selection criteria may be invited to attend a formal panel interview.

A panel will generally be comprised of at least three people and the interview will take between 30 minutes and one hour and may include a written work test. Applicants will be asked a series of questions that will draw out the candidates' capacity to undertake the duties of the position and meet the selection criteria.

For applicants who are assessed as being in contention for the advertised role, the selection panel will generally conduct referee checks.


Keeping you informed

You will be notified of the outcome of your application. If selected, an appointment offer letter will be provided to you as soon as possible after the recommendation has been approved. If unsuccessful, you will be notified via email to your nominated email address.

Note: Offers of employment are made under the Public Sector Management Act 1994 and are made on the basis that the applicant satisfies all pre-employment checks, including medical assessment and criminal history records check.


Workplace diversity

OLA values diversity and aims to ensure that fair, equitable and non-discriminatory consideration will be given to all applicants.

Assistance with application information, building access, interpreters or other services are available throughout the recruitment process. Should you need assistance, please discuss such requirements with the contact officer or OLA Recruitment.

Relay services

Hearing or speech-impaired applicants may wish to use the relay services provided by the Australian Communication Exchange.

If you are deaf, or have a hearing impairment, contact us through the National Relay Service: TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for (02) 62050444

Speak and listen users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for (02) 62050444

Internet relay users - visit the National Relay Service website then ask for (02) 62050444


Conditions and benefits of employment

OLA is committed to providing employees with excellent working conditions. Some of the benefits that you will experience while working for OLA include:

Further information on employment conditions is outlined in the Office of the Legislative Assembly Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026 (PDF, 1.8 MB)


Surveillance policy

To satisfy the requirements of the Workplace Privacy Act 2011, OLA's Workplace Surveillance Policy is provided to new workers before commencement. This policy provides notification about the surveillance devices in operation at OLA.

Legislative Assembly Members Staff Workplace Surveillance Policy is provided to new workers before commencement. This policy provides notification about the surveillance devices in operation in Member's offices.