Parliamentary Workplace Support Service
| PWSS | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 October 2023 |
| Jurisdiction | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Headquarters | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Employees | 67 (ASL, 2025-26)[1] |
| Minister responsible |
|
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Department of Finance |
| Website | www |
The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS) is an independent Australian Commonwealth statutory agency that provides human resources services and trauma-informed support to people who work or volunteer in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces. Its functions include human resources advice for parliamentarians and staff employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, work health and safety services, education and training, and confidential complaint resolution. The PWSS was established by the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 and operates within the Finance portfolio.[2][3][4]
History
The PWSS was created in response to Set the Standard, the 2021 Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission and led by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.[5] Legislation to establish the PWSS commenced on 1 October 2023.[2]
Functions
Under the Act, the PWSS is responsible for:
- delivering human resources advice and assistance to parliamentarians and MOP(S) Act employees
- providing work health and safety services
- offering trauma-informed counselling and support
- resolving complaints related to conduct in parliamentary workplaces
- delivering education and training to support safe and respectful workplaces.[2][3]
The Act also establishes the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission to deal with conduct issues under parliamentary behaviour codes and standards. The PWSS provides support to the Commission.[2]
Governance
The PWSS is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity in the Finance portfolio. The Special Minister of State has ministerial responsibility for the agency. Leonie McGregor was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2024.[4]
Resources and staffing
According to the 2025-26 Portfolio Budget Statements, total resourcing for the PWSS is $35.7 million in 2025-26, with an Average Staffing Level of 67 in 2025-26, up from 59 in 2024-25.[1]
Reporting and activity
The PWSS annual report for 2023-24 outlines workload and activity following establishment on 1 October 2023.[6] Independent coverage in 2024 reported that between October 2023 and June 2024 the PWSS handled 339 matters, including 30 reports of serious workplace offences such as sexual assault, stalking and intimidation.[7][8]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Portfolio Budget Statements 2025-26 - Finance Portfolio: Parliamentary Workplace Support Service" (PDF). Department of Finance. March 2025. pp. 201–213. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023". Federal Register of Legislation. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "About the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service". Parliamentary Workplace Support Service. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS)". Australian Government Directory. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ "Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces". Australian Human Rights Commission. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ "Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Annual Report 2023-24" (PDF). Parliamentary Workplace Support Service. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ "Australian parliament staff report workplace offences as it seeks to address sexual misconduct". Reuters. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ "Australian parliament still unsafe, Mark Butler says, after 30 serious allegations reported to HR body". The Guardian. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
External links
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