Parliamentary Workplace Support Service
PWSS
1 October 2023 – present
Independent statutory agency that provides human resources advice, workplace support, training and complaint resolution services to parliamentarians, their staff and others in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces.
How it came into existence
Established on 1 October 2023 as an independent statutory agency by the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023, implementing recommendations of the Set the Standard review (2021). It took over the interim Parliamentary Workplace Support Service that had operated within the Department of Parliamentary Services, and later took on human resources functions for staff employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 from the Ministerial and Parliamentary Services division of the Department of Finance, which kept payroll, enterprise agreement and employment framework responsibilities.
- Interim Parliamentary Workplace Support Service
Legislation: Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023
Changes during its life
- Human resources services for parliamentarians' staff
Transfer of HR functions from Ministerial and Parliamentary Services; date uncertain.
Main functions
- Human resources advice and support for parliamentarians and their staff
- Confidential support and counselling services
- Resolution of workplace complaints and reviews of serious incidents
- Workplace training and education
- Policy advice on safe and respectful parliamentary workplaces
- Support for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Finance.
- Type of body
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Finance
- Accountable authority
- Chief Executive Officer – Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 section 12(3)(b)
- ABN
- 87 599 800 740
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance)
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 31 December 2023 to the latest release (30 June 2026))
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.