myfuture :: Occupation Information - Parliamentarian / Councillor

Parliamentarian / Councillor
( Senator, Politician, Parliamentarian, Member of Parliament, Local Councillor, City Councillor )


	Duties and Tasks Quick Facts Work Conditions Personal Requirements Related Industries Labour Market Related Jobs Earnings Related Courses Further Information State Specific Information	Federal Parliament
	Parliamentarians are elected by the people (constituents) of a particular region (electorate) to represent their interests. They make decisions in federal, state or territory parliaments and undertake activities in their local electorates.

Duties and Tasks

Parliamentarians may perform the following tasks:

present issues for debate and discussion in parliament
propose changes to existing legislation and policy that best serve the interests of the public and the electorate
investigate matters of concern to the public or particular interest groups
present petitions on behalf of concerned interest groups
serve on parliamentary committees or enquiries
manage an office in their home electorate and in the house of parliament.

Quick Facts

Learning Area	Economics English History
Work Demand	Including mainly indoor work Including reading or writing Including sitting for long periods
Work Field	Business, Administration and Sales Health and Community Services
Work Interest	Helping or Advising Organising or Clerical Persuading or Service
Skill Level	Para Professional Jobs Professional Jobs

Work Conditions

Parliamentarians have a high level of personal contact with the public. Elected parliamentarians tend to spend most of their time working with constituents who are seeking assistance with issues such as pensions, taxation, immigration, visas and other matters of public concern.

Personal Requirements

good oral and written communication skills
enjoy talking to, working with, and helping people
able to apply sound judgement
enjoy dealing with issues in current affairs and politics
prepared to work long hours
willing to travel and live away from home when required
sound management skills.

Related Industries

Public Administration
Personal and Other Services

Labour Market

Vacancies

Work Opportunities websites

Earnings

Income of persons working full-time, 2006

Legislators and Government Appointed Officials
Income per Week	Number	Share (%)

$1000 or more	2,565	86.5
$400 - $599	76	2.6
$600 - $799	94	3.2
$800 - $999	161	5.4
Less than $400	70	2.4

This information is based on the 2006 census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Earnings of persons working full-time and part-time, 2006

Legislators and Government Appointed Officials
Employment Status	Weekly Income ($)

Full-time	2,884
Part-time	368

This information is based on the Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership survey conducting annually by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

Australasian Political Studies Association
Office Manager - Parliamentary Education Office

State Specific Information

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Debating Chamber, The House of Representatives