Our structure

The department is responsible to the Senate through the President of the Senate. The administrative head of the department is the Clerk of the Senate. The department is organised into seven offices.

Diagram of the structure of the Dept. of the Senate

Clerk's Office

  • Advice on, and support for, proceedings of the Senate and its committees.
  • Leadership and strategic direction for the department.
  • Secretariat and advisory support to the Procedure and Privileges Committees.
  • Procedural information and related resources for senators and the department.

Procedure Office

  • Legislative drafting and procedural support to non-executive senators.
  • Procedural and parliamentary research services and training.
  • Secretariat support to legislative scrutiny committees.
  • Parliamentary information for public servants and the community.
  • Advice and support for inter-parliamentary relations.

Parliamentary Education Office

  • Curriculum-aligned programs for students and teachers delivered at Parliament House and by videoconference.
  • Produce relevant and accurate print and digital education resources.
  • Manage, update and refresh the Parliamentary Education Office website.
  • Provide a range of resources and services that facilitate parliamentarian engagement.

Table Office

  • Programming and procedural support to the Senate and the legislative process.
  • Publication of formal and informal records of Senate business.
  • Receipt, dissemination and storage of documents.
  • Secretariat support for the Publications; Selection of Bills; and Senators' Interests committees.

Senate Public Information Office

  • Produce, publish and manage information resources about the activities of the Senate and its committees.
  • Liaise with the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) and others in relation to the ICT systems and resources that underpin the support provided to the Senate, including system enhancement and development.

Committee Office

  • Secretariat support and procedural advice to the legislative and general purpose standing committees, select committees, and certain joint committees.
  • Drafting of Senate committee reports in accordance with committee requirements and within deadlines set by the Senate.
  • Coordinate and run public hearings at Parliament House, around Australia and by videoconference.
  • Publication of inquiry information, evidence and reports upon authorisation.

Black Rod's Office

  • Chamber, committee room, office and printing support, ceremonial services, and security advice.
  • Corporate services, including payroll services for senators and human resources strategies and services for departmental staff, and support to the Clerk in meeting public governance, performance and accountability and certain record keeping requirements.
  • Support services, in conjunction with the Department of the House of Representatives, to the Association of Former Members of the Parliament of Australia (AFMPA).
  • Financial management and human resource corporate services to the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO).