Media release: Tabling of the 2025 Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplace Report

Leonie McGregor
Chief Executive Officer
Parliamentary Workplace Support Service

13 May 2026

Release of the 2025 Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplace Report

The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS) 2025 Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplace Report has been tabled. It is the first report to bring together consolidated information on workforce composition, and perceptions of the culture, performance and safety of Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (CPWs).

The report fulfils the annual reporting requirement set out under section 22 of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 and provides a shared evidence base to support Parliament’s understanding of how Federal parliamentary workplaces are experienced. While there was a relatively low response rate in some cohorts, for the  first Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces Culture Survey, we expect the response rate to grow over time and future editions of the annual survey will continue to enable progress to be assessed.

Drawing on workforce and remuneration data, work health and safety reporting and the voluntary 2025 Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces Culture Survey, the report shows respondents are highly committed, capable and motivated by service to democracy and community. Respondents to the survey report strong interpersonal trust within teams, a shared sense of purpose and positive perceptions of professionalism and ethical intent.

The report also identifies areas where experiences across CPWs are less consistent. Many who took the survey reported workloads above their capacity, variation in leadership capability and confidence in how unacceptable behaviour is addressed varied by cohort. 

The report also includes information about the operations of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC), which commenced in October 2024. It suggests awareness of and confidence in the IPSC is still developing.

This report is not an analysis of how individual workplaces or offices are performing, and it does not prescribe solutions or apportion responsibility for workplace satisfaction. Its purpose is to establish a shared evidence base to monitor trends over time and inform conversations about creating and sustaining safe, respectful and effective Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces.

‘Our hope is that this report, and the conversations that it starts, will encourage all those working in parliamentary workplaces to continue taking action to further build positive culture, prevent inappropriate behaviour and to create workplaces that all Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplace participants love turning up to, and where they can do their best work.’

For media inquiries, please contact media@pwss.gov.au.