Independent Review of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Support System

The Special Minister of State, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, has established an Independent Review of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Support system to ensure it is fit for purpose and meets community expectations. Read the media release.

Objective

The Independent Review is an opportunity to look at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Support System as a whole and consider what changes are required to ensure it better meets the needs of parliamentarians and their staff both now and into the future.

Previous reviews have looked at the system in part, often in constrained timeframes and in response to particular events.

The Independent Review's key objective is to recommend better ways to support Commonwealth parliamentarians and their staff with a modern, flexible and efficient system that helps keep them safe, gives them the resources they need, helps them do their complex work in our democracy and meets the public’s expectations for transparency and accountability.

Public consultation on the Issues Paper

On Thursday 9 July 2026, the Independent Review released an Issues Paper – Overview of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Support System – for public consultation. In line with the Review’s objectives to consider the system of support for Commonwealth parliamentarians as a whole, the Issues Paper canvasses and invites responses to high level key questions relevant to the Review. Further Issues Papers may be published over the course of the Review.

Read a copy of the Issues Paper.

You are invited to make a submission on the Issues Paper by Friday 21 August 2026. The Review will also accept relevant submissions after this date.

How to make a submission

Please read the Independent Review’s Submission Guidelines before making a submission.

You can make a submission via our web form.

Submissions can also be made to ParliamentaryReview@finance.gov.au, or via letter to:

Independent Review of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Support System
Parliamentary Review Taskforce
Department of Finance
1 Canberra Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603

Terms of Reference

The review is wide-ranging and includes:

statutory reviews of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 and the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984
a review of the implementation of the Australian Human Rights Commission's Set the Standard report and
a review of the arrangements that support the safety and security of parliamentarians and their staff in the workplace.

The review is also considering recommendations arising from related reviews.

The following are out of scope of the review:

individual workplace conduct
individual expense matters and
operational matters.

Read a copy of the Terms of Reference.

Conduct of the review

The Minister has appointed Mr Mathew Jose and Ms Rachael Thompson to conduct the review. The review commenced on 28 April 2026.

A taskforce has been established in the Department of Finance to provide dedicated support to the independent function of the review.

The independent reviewers are consulting widely on the issues set out in the Terms of Reference and are preparing a report with recommendations for the Special Minister of State. The review is expected to take 18 months and as such, the report is expected in late 2027.

The report will be tabled in each House of Parliament.

The independent reviewers may invite submissions, publish responses and request information from individuals, organisations and the broader Australian community.

This website will be updated regularly to provide information on opportunities to contribute to the review.

Frequently asked questions

For more information about the review, read the frequently asked questions.

Support services

If you need support, services are available to you.

Parliamentarians

For people currently working or volunteering in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces (CPWs) across Australia, as well as former parliamentarians, staff and volunteers of CPWs (not limited by location):

PWSS Counselling - free, confidential, in-house counselling and support for work and personal issues. Access via Suite M2.105, support@pwss.gov.au, SMS 0487 112 755, or call 1800 747 977 option 1 - 24/7.

Employee Assistance Program – Current MOP(S) Act employees and parliamentarians, as well as their immediate family and household members have free access to TELUS Health counsellors and supports for work and personal issues.

Access via 1300 360 364 or via PWSS website using the following details:

Username: pwss
Password: Wellbeing

Culturally appropriate support for First Nations people – a dedicated support line is available with clinicians who either identify as, or who have in-depth cultural awareness and experience supporting, First Nations people.

Access via TELUS Health on 1800 816 152.

Before Blue – an early intervention mental health program which provides tools and support to manage stress, build resilience, and enhance overall mental wellbeing.

Call 03 9810 6100 or register via the website using company code PWSS B4B.

Current MoP(S) Act employees can also access the following service:

Early Intervention Program – available if an employee sustains a work-related physical or psychological illness or injury and includes up to $5000 to reimburse out of pocket medical costs incurred accessing relevant treatment.

Access via PWSS at support@pwss.gov.au or whs@pwss.gov.au, SMS 0487 112 755 or call 1800 747 977.

Broader community

For the broader community, contact:

LifeLine Australia
Crisis support and suicide prevention
Ph: 13 11 14
SMS: 0477 13 11 14
Website: www.lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service

Counselling to people affected by suicide
Ph: 1300 659 467
Website: suicidecallbackservice.org.au

1800 Respect

Sexual assault, domestic and family counselling
Ph: 1800 737 732
SMS: 0458 737 732
Website: www.1800respect.org.au

MensLine

Counselling service and support for men
Ph: 1300 789 978
Website: www.mensline.org.au

Beyond Blue

Mental health information and support
Ph: 1300 224 636
Website: www.beyondblue.org.au

Q Life

Anonymous, free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral
Ph: 1800 184 527 (3.00pm to midnight)
Website: www.qlife.org.au

Contact

ParliamentaryReview@finance.gov.au