The Working in the LC Program

The Working in the Legislative Council program, a Professional Development initiative is a 12-week program offered to departmental officers who want to gain first-hand experience of the operations of Parliament, including Legislative Council committees and the annual budget estimates process. The program runs from September to November each year.

The program, which began in 2004, allows participants to gain experience working in the Legislative Council, and facilitates an exchange of ideas and experiences between participants, sponsorship agencies and the Council. The program is open to high performing NSW public service officers at the Clerk Grade 7/8, 9/10 or equivalent. The successful applicant's agency is required to meet their officer's salary costs during the placement. Participants are not eligible to apply for a position in the Council during the placement or for six months following the end of the placement.

Here is what a former participant had to say about their experience:
"The working in the LC program was a fantastic opportunity. I worked with Legislative Council Committee Secretariat and for the majority of my secondment I was part of the Budget Estimates Secretariat. I was given a large amount of responsibility to ensure the coordination of the hearings, questions on notice, website reporting and tabling of the budget estimates reports. I also had the opportunity to clerk a hearing which was something that I may not ever do again.

As part of my secondment I was also lucky enough to work on a Law and Justice Committee Inquiry. The experience was invaluable and I have been able to incorporate new skills into my current work and studies. The week that I spent with the procedure office was great and I had the opportunity to learn about the Legislative process and gain a better insight into the everyday running of parliament.

Overall my experience with Legislative Council was fantastic, the people were constantly willing to help and teach and I was given opportunities that I never expected to have been given while I was in the program. It has been great to bring this experience and learning back to RailCorp."
The program is advertised on jobs.nsw.gov.au and in the Recruitment section of Parliament's website in May or June each year.

More information
For more information contact Ms Rachel Callinan, Director – Committees on 9230 2976 or rachel.callinan@parliament.nsw.gov.au