How many staff do senators/members have in their office?

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Senators and members of the House of Representatives are able to employ staff to help them with their parliamentary and electorate duties under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MOP(S) Act).

Under this Act, senators and members can employ 4 full-time electorate officers. Members with large electorates can employ extra staff.

Electorate officers work in electorate offices helping senators and members assist the people in their community. One electorate officer per office can assist in the Parliament House office as well.

Some senators and members also have personal staff. These are usually:

  • Ministers and assistant ministers
  • The Leader of the Opposition and shadow ministers
  • The leader of minor parties (who have at least 5 members each), who shares the staff with minor party members
  • Government, opposition and minor party whips

The prime minister decides who gets personal staff. Members of parliament with a special role (eg as a ‘Special Envoy’) may be given an extra staff member. Currently, independent and minor party senators and members have a personal staff member each.