Department of Employment and Workplace Relations Executive Assistant Temporary Employment Register 2026

The Executive Assistant Temporary Employment Register is open for eligible candidates to register an Expression of Interest (EOI) for non-ongoing (temporary) employment with the department as an executive assistant. The register enables the department to access suitable and experienced individuals for non-ongoing employment opportunities across a broad range of classifications and business areas at short notice.

The department is committed to having a flexible and inclusive workplace and recognises and values the diversity of the wider Australia community. We encourage and welcome applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.

Our online application form will ask you to express an interest in roles from the APS Level 4 to APS Level 6 classifications and indicate your preferred locations. We also ask that you fill out some basic information about yourself as well as attaching an up-to-date resume.

Positions may be full-time or part-time depending on business needs and requirements. You will only be contacted regarding your application if an opportunity arises that matches your skills and experience.

• Roles are intended to be offered on a temporary basis only (non-ongoing specified term).
• Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled as a specified term vacancy for an initial period of up to 12 months. *Specified term vacancies may be extended up to a maximum period of 18 months in total duration.
• Ongoing engagement or promotion under the Public Service Act 1999 are not possible through this recruitment register.
• You will only be contacted in the event a vacancy arises that matches your skills and experience.
• Your application is not a guarantee that an offer of employment will be made.
• Application will remain active until 31 January 2027. Applications are not carried over after this time, you will be required to submit a new application for the 2027 Temporary Employment Register.

We’re looking for experienced, enthusiastic and highly organised Executive Assistants to manage the office of at least one SES Band 1, SES Band 2 or SES Band 3. To succeed in this role, you will have great people skills, the ability to anticipate the needs of senior executives and demonstrate flexibility and resilience.

As an Executive Assistant, you will:

• Proactively support senior executives by undertaking front of office functions, including greeting visitors, receiving and responding to phone calls, emails and correspondence, directing enquiries to the most appropriate service channel and assisting in resolving client issues.
• Apply sound judgment in providing executive and administrative assistance to senior executives including managing diaries, organising conferences and meetings and collating required documentation.
• Advise, organise, schedule and coordinate multiple diaries and the reprioritisation of tasks to accommodate competing and changing priorities.
• Build and sustain relationships and obtain cooperation and assistance within the work area and other areas of the department.
• Communicate with employees at all levels of the department, ministerial offices, external government departments and members of the public on behalf of the senior executive.
• Be responsive to changes and use common sense to solve problems that may be complex yet broadly similar to previous situations, and research solutions.

To be eligible for employment at the department, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be Australian citizens or going to be granted Australian citizenship before commencement. You will be asked to provide evidence.
• Applicants are required to have a minimum Baseline security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance at a level appropriate to the position. Depending on the type of work, some roles will require a higher security clearance. See Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) for additional information.
• Successfully undergo a National Police Check (NPC).
• New APS employees may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical supplier.
• Applicants engaged into the APS may be subject to a probation period.
• Depending on the role into which you are placed, you may also be required to obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People/Children registration (or equivalent).

Our ideal candidate

• Has a strong background working in an Executive Assistant or similar role.
• Is great at establishing strong working relationships and takes a client-centred approach to their work.
• Has well-developed organisational skills including the ability to manage competing priorities whilst delivering a very high standard of work.
• Exercises sound judgement and shows a high degree of integrity and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive business matters.
• Is proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.