Project Officer

Office of Senator the Hon Sue Lines; Perth; On-site; AUD 74,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

A government office in Perth is hiring a First Nations Project Officer to lead community engagement initiatives. The role involves building relationships with First Nations communities and assisting in funding proposals. Applicants should demonstrate strong organizational skills, a connection to First Nations communities, and familiarity with local governance. A starting salary between $74,537 to $78,911 per annum is offered, with potential allowances for travel and additional work hours.

Benefits

Superannuation contribution of 15.4%

Travel allowances

Qualifications

• Connection to Western Australian First Nations Communities is essential.
• Understanding of government services and broader political landscape.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities while meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Engage with community networks across Western Australia.
• Assist in grant application processes for stakeholders.
• Report to the First Nations Adviser in Community Engagement.

Skills

Knowledge of Western Australian First Nations Communities

Organisational and time-management skills

MS Office Suite familiarity

Creative problem solving

Political landscape understanding

Job description

12-month non-ongoing contract with the possibility of extension

Senator the Hon Sue Lines is advertising for a First Nations Project Officer based in the West Perth Electorate Office.

Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification and is identified under Section 50(D) of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. Senator Lines seeks to recruit an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander into this position.

About Senator Lines

Senator Lines has been President of the Australian Senate since August 2022 and a Senator for Western Australia since 2013. Senator Lines was born in Western Australia attending Gosnells Primary School and Armadale Senior High School before obtaining a Bachelor of Education from Murdoch University.

She is the first female Labor President of the Senate since Federation and the second only female President following the election of Liberal Senator Margaret Reid in 1996.

As a Senator for WA, Senator Lines has travelled extensively throughout regional and rural areas meeting with First Nations women, farming groups, Aboriginal corporations, and community leaders.

Team Values

• Reliability
• Determination
• Respect & Equality
• Making a Difference
• Humanity
• Uncompromising
• Passionate
• Supportive
• Role Models

Role Description

The Project Officer would be a key member of our community engagement team, working closely with Senator Lines' adviser on First Nations community and stakeholder engagement projects across Western Australia.

The role will include on-going relationship‑building work with Senator Lines' established and new community networks as well as liaising with Commonwealth and State ministerial offices, departmental contacts, and community, non‑profit and private sector organisations.

We value the strong professional and/or personal connection to First Nations communities and organisations that you can bring to this role and see the possibility of shaping the role to the right candidate's skills, experience and connections.

We want to hear what you can add to our professional, diverse team.

Key Duties

Project Work – First Nations Community Engagement

• Consult with established and new community contacts across Western Australia to enable individuals and organisations to connect and maximise their influence with relevant Commonwealth Government ministers and departments on their policy and funding priorities.
• Map and re‑engage with Senator Lines' existing community networks and identify new opportunities for engagement.
• Provide support for organisations in grant application process – reporting to First Nations Adviser in Community Engagement.
• Assist stakeholders in the process of developing potential funding proposals.
• Monitor outcomes of submitted funding proposals.

Ongoing Community Engagement responsibilities

• Maintain and update contact lists for community networks.
• Help plan and manage events and engagement opportunities with stakeholders.
• Undertake research and compile briefing notes and reports for Senator Lines and senior staff on issues relevant to the role.
• Facilitate meetings between community stakeholders and relevant Commonwealth and State ministerial offices.
• Work with senior staff to devise and execute outreach projects for Senator for Western Australia including:
• Plan and arrangements of WA travel – engaging with relevant local stakeholders.
• Regional travel as required.
• Act as contact point for WA Labor and State offices when required.
• Coordinate, in conjunction with senior staff, visits and ministerial meetings for organisations and other stakeholders to Parliament House, Canberra.
• Promote, support and maintain a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace culture.
• Regional and interstate, including Canberra, travel may be required for this role, with irregular work hours, particularly during parliamentary sitting periods, to assist with stakeholder visits and ministerial meetings.
• Assist with photography and other media tasks for Senator at local events.
• Assist senior staff to develop a visit plan according to focus of visit.
• Work with senior staff on event coordination and support to Ministerial offices for ministerial visits.
• Develop personal areas of policy or research interest to contribute to the office's overall community engagement agenda.
• Undertake relevant professional development and training opportunities as provided by Ministerial and Parliamentary Services and external training providers.

Skills and Experience Required

• Knowledge of and connection to Western Australian First Nations Communities.
• An understanding of local and national issues, government services, the Government's objectives, and the broader political landscape.
• An understanding, or keenness to develop an understanding, of Australia's system of government and parliamentary processes.
• The ability to effectively manage multiple responsibilities and meet competing deadlines while following a plan.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated professional integrity and the ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• A respectful demeanour when engaging with office staff and constituents.
• A collaborative and respectful approach.
• Being a creative and flexible problem solver.
• Familiarity with MS Office Suite.

Employment conditions:

• A commencing salary at Electorate Officer A classification between $74,537 to $78,911 per annum will be negotiated depending on experience and relevant skills.
• An additional optional allowance may be considered in recognition of, and as compensation for, reasonable additional hours of work.
• A nightly travel allowance will be paid for overnight travel.
• An employer superannuation contribution of 15.4% will be payable.
• A probationary period of three months will apply.

How to Apply

Applications should be forwarded directly to Clare Davidson at [e-mail] and include a CV with the names of two referees and a covering letter of no more than two pages that addresses your interest in the position and your suitability to carry out the responsibilities outlined above.

Applications close COB Thursday 16 January 2026.

For further information please contact Clare Davidson on [phone].

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?