Audience

I am a parliamentarian

If you are a parliamentarian, these resources can help guide you through the election and beyond. If you are not, please navigate back to the last page and choose another tile.

Factsheet

Behaviour Code for Australian Parliamentarians

The Behaviour Code for Australian Parliamentarians sets out expectations for how parliamentarians engage with others in the course of their work, while recognising parliamentary privilege.
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Recruiting Staff

Recruiting the right people is key. It is important to have an understanding of the skills, capabilities, qualifications, and experience required for positions.
Factsheet

Performance Management

This factsheet provides Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MOP(S) Act) employees with guidance on performance management matters.
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Contact

All people who work in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, past and present, have access to confidential, trauma-aware conflict resolution, support and assistance through the PWSS, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. MoP(S) Act staff and parliamentarians also have access to an employee assistance provider.
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for MOP(S) Act employees and parliamentarians

Current MOP(S) Act employees and parliamentarians, and their immediate family and household members, have access to free, professional and confidential counselling through an Employee Assistance Program. If you are not a MOP(S) Act employee or a parliamentarian, you are unable to access this service. Please seek advice from your employer about whether they provide an EAP service.
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Work Health and Safety Duties

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) and the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 parliamentarians, the PWSS and Finance share the responsibility for eliminating or minimising WHS hazards and risks. All workers, including parliamentarians and MOP(S) Act employees, have a duty to take reasonable care that their behaviour does not affect their own health and safety, or that of other persons.

Other Resources for you

The PWSS is working with several other entities to provide a complete suite of services to MOP(S) employees and Parliamentarians during and after the election.

  • If you have questions about travel during the election period, please contact IPEA.
  • We have a deferral tool on our website to provide advice around employment arrangements during an election, but for queries about entitlements upon cessation of employment, please refer to the Department of Finance Final Entitlements Estimator or contact Ministerial and Parliamentary Services (MAPS).
  • Additionally, please update your personal details in PEMS as communication about MOP(S) employment will use current information in the system. If this information is incorrect, you may not receive the details you need, when you need them.
  • For IT concerns related to the election or deferral periods please contact the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) ICT services desk at 2020 Online or phone 02 6277 2020.
  • For access to parliamentary and electorate offices please speak to your Parliamentarian or to access:
    • your parliamentary office (APH) – contact the APH Security Pass Office on 02 6277 5989
    • your electorate office – contact your MAPS State Office.

Important guidance has recently been published to assist various groups. This includes:

Related resources

Poster

Support available to MOP(S) Act Employees

Support contacts available to staff of Parliamentarians or anyone employeed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MOP(S) Act) Including EAP, Before Blue, PWSS Academy

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Related courses

Course

Mental Health First Aid

Learn how to provide support to adults who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis in this PWSS Academy course.
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MOP(S) Induction

PWSS Academy runs this training course and everyone employed under the MOP(S) Act, including existing Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplace staff, are encouraged to complete this one hour course.
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De-escalating Challenging Conversations

De-escalating Challenging Conversations training course is run by PWSS Academy. This 1 hour session supports Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplace staff to maintain safe and effective communication during challenging interactions, whether in person, in writing or over the phone. Participants are encouraged to explore their existing strategies and discuss additional techniques that are useful for their specific context.

View all courses