Salary Level: 4/5 - $87,712 to $105,254 per annum + superannuation (Anticipated increase to $92,098 to $110,517 following General Agreement registration)

Are you interested in legislation and topical matters affecting the lives of Western Australians? Do you have experience undertaking research, providing high level analysis, preparing written reports, briefing notes and discussion papers? If so, you are invited to apply for the Research Officer role with the Legislative Council of Western Australia. We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated individual to fill this interesting role in the unique parliamentary environment.

Background

The Department of the Legislative Council supports six standing committees and two joint standing committees. These committees are made up of Members of Parliament and conduct inquiries into current issues and important matters affecting our State. The Research Officer will work in the Legislative Council Committee Office (LCCO) providing impartial and apolitical support to the work of the Legislative Council’s committees and assisting one or more Advisory Officers undertaking significant and interesting inquiries.

What you'll do as a Research Officer

Committees gather evidence and produce reports on their inquiries. In performing their function, committees are supported by Advisory Officers, researchers and a small secretariat team.

The Research Officer is assigned to committees requiring additional research and other support to complete their important inquiries. The Research Officer works closely with a Committee’s Advisory Officer, providing research support, analysis and summaries of submissions, and preparing draft reports and other committee materials. The Research Officer may also assist the Advisory Officer and a Committee Clerk with secretariat support managing a Committee’s inquiry.

You will:

undertake research and provide well written analysis of materials

prepare draft reports, briefing papers and discussion papers

assist with the communication of strategic and procedural advice to Committees

work well under pressure

be able to switch between various tasks efficiently

have excellent time management skills

have an ability to interpret procedural rules and administrative instructions

The secretariat work for parliamentary committees includes:

taking minutes of meetings

publishing committee material

maintaining the committee’s records

arranging committee travel

organising committee meetings and hearings

liaising with witnesses and other stakeholders

providing procedural advice when required

Reporting and Location

The position is based in the Legislative Council Committee Office, located in a new office building opposite Parliament House in West Perth. You will report to the Clerk Assistant (Committees) and assist one or more Advisory Officers with a parliamentary committee.

Benefits of Working at Parliament

At the Parliament of Western Australia, we value our employees and are dedicated to providing a supportive and fulfilling work environment. The workplace benefits we currently offer include:

Flexible working arrangements

Comprehensive professional development programs

Onsite parking

Access to Health and Wellbeing initiatives

Gymnasium facilities

The Parliament of Western Australia values diversity and champions Equal Opportunity Employment. We’re committed to attracting and retaining a workforce that reflects us all, and to making Parliament an inclusive and supportive workplace, free from discrimination.

We encourage all suitable people of any age, sex, gender, family status or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply, including First Nations people, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disability.

The attached job description form contains more information about the role.

How to apply
If you’re interested in applying, please send us:
· A completed application for employment form
· A response (in no more than two pages) addressing the selection criteria, as set out in the job description form.
· An up-to-date CV (no more than four pages) that clearly outlines your skills and experience as relevant to this position.

A job description and application form can be downloaded from the Parliament of Western Australia's career's page Employment (parliament.wa.gov.au) or by clicking ‘Quick apply' above. Applications must be emailed to [email protected] by 4.00pm Friday, 16 May 2025.

Please note that you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen with a special category visa, to apply for this role.

If you have any access needs that may require adjustment to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, including alternate methods of communication, or to request a document in an alternative format please contact Human Resources on (08) 9222 7877 or [email protected].

Please contact Grant Hitchcock, Clerk Assistant (Committees) on (08) 9222 7891 or e-mail [email protected].