Parliamentary Reporter

About the role:

If you have a passion for language, an enthusiasm for politics and current affairs, and a desire to work in the heart of the democratic process, put your editing skills to the test in the challenging and dynamic environment of the New South Wales Parliament.
Hansard is recruiting to increase its pool of Casual Reporters and to develop a talent pool to fill future temporary full-time vacancies.

Casual Reporters: Ad hoc hours and shifts as needed by Hansard, including working evenings and nights as per the Parliament's Sitting calendar.
Temporary full-time Reporters: A talent pool will be created from which future temporary full time employment offers may be made.
Extensive training provided.
Casual: $82.22 per hour (inclusive of a 15% casual loading), plus 1/12th in lieu of leave accrual.

Temporary full-time: Salary range $130,563 to $149,360 per annum, plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.

Work is primarily based at NSW Parliament, Sydney CBD.

About us:
Based in NSW Parliament, the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is a specialist service department working to support the operation of the Parliament of NSW by providing logistical support and advice to members, the Departments of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly and the people of New South Wales.
Our office is found close to public transport in the heart of Macquarie Street CBD, next to the State Library and Sydney's Botanic Gardens.
Enabling the Parliament, serving New South Wales: We demonstrate and foster in others a commitment to the five values of the Department of Parliamentary Services: collaboration, innovation, excellence, integrity and service.
Our commitment to diversity: We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and encourage women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, mature-age people, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this role.
About you:
NSW Hansard is seeking to increase its pool of casual Hansard Reporters to support the Hansard team during Parliamentary sittings, Budget Estimates, committee peaks or to cover staff absence during non-sitting periods.
Hansard is also seeking to develop a talent pool to be used to fill temporary full-time Reporter vacancies should they become available.
Responsibilities

You will transcribe and edit proceedings to provide an accurate, substantially verbatim record to an acceptable literary quality, adhering to the Hansard standard of style and quality.
Transcripts must be accurate.
Reporters are responsible for undertaking the requisite research to ensure the accuracy of their transcript.
Transcription experience and prior Parliamentary or equivalent reporting experience will be highly regarded.

Training will be provided on the specifics of transcribing in a parliamentary context and parliament systems.
Work is performed in house, at Parliament House in Sydney.

Shifts

Casual hours and shifts are assigned on an ad hoc basis based on Hansard operational need and the Parliamentary sitting calendar.
Casual Reporters are placed in a casual resource pool, with shifts assigned based on availability.
Casual Reporters are typically required on all Parliamentary sitting days.
The 2025 sitting day calendar can be found here, https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Pages/sitting-day-calendar.aspx.

Sitting days typically begin from 10 AM and continue until the adjournment of the Houses, typically requiring work until 12 AM (though may be earlier and at times may be later).
Casual Reporters are often required to assist with committee transcription during non-sitting periods (9 AM – 5 PM).
Casual Reporters are frequently required during Budget Estimates periods (indicated on the Sitting Day calendar).
Budget Estimates days typically begin from 9 AM and continue to 6 PM.
Temporary full-time staff are required to work the long and late hours of Parliamentary sitting days.

To be successful in the role you will:

have proficiency in spoken and written English comprehension;
have excellent attention to detail;
be able to consistently follow formatting and style guidelines;
be reliable, organised, punctual and prepared to work long and irregular hours at a fast pace;
transcription or prior parliamentary or equivalent reporting experience highly regarded;
have a strong interest in current affairs;
thrive on deadlines; and
enjoy working in a team environment.

Further information to assist you with applying for this role:
How to apply:
To apply for this role please provide:

An up-to-date Resume (maximum five pages) which clearly details your skills and experience as relevant to this role and

A response (maximum two pages) to the Targeted Questions below.

Applications that do not include a response to the targeted questions will not be progressed to the next stage of assessment.
Copies of qualifications, certificates or documentation (other than requested) is not required at this stage in the recruitment process and will not be included with application documents.
Candidates who meet the selection criteria and satisfactorily answer the targeted questions will be invited to undertake an editing/grammar and general knowledge assessment.
The assessment takes place in person at Parliament House, Sydney.
Only those applicants who meet the required standard, and who perform best at the assessment, will be invited to the next stage of assessment (i.e., panel interview).
Targeted questions:

Please indicate if you are interested in Casual work, being placed in the temporary full-time Reporter talent pool, or both.
Please outline your experience in transcription and/or editing the written word.
Your response should outline how you acquired your skills as well as your experience with relevant technologies such as publishing and text formatting software, voice recognition programs, audio recording equipment, etc.
Describe an occasion or occasions where you have had to deal with extreme time pressures to meet tight deadlines and worked long hours to meet those time frames (as may be required during long sessions of either House of Parliament).

Electronic attachments must be MS Word compatible or in pdf format.
Technical assistance: Should you encounter any technical problems, please contact 'I work for NSW' or the helpdesk on 1800 562 679 (Monday - Friday).
To be eligible to apply for this role, you must meet one of the following criteria:

an Australian Citizen
a permanent resident of Australia; or
a New Zealand citizen.

Come and explore the Parliament online and click on our "360-degree Virtual Tour":
Thank you for your interest in this role.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Job Reference: 492485
CLOSING DATE: Sunday, 14 September 2025 (11.55pm)

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