Career Development Opportunities

A career in the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) offers professional and career development opportunities. As a Commonwealth employer, the AEC can help you with developing to your full professional potential by providing opportunities for:

• training and development
• study leave, and
• gaining skills and experience within the AEC and the Australian Public Service.

Conditions of Employment

Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) are now available to all ongoing staff. An AWA can facilitate more flexible employment arrangements that balance the AEC's business needs and your individual needs and circumstances, subject to operational requirements. You can access cost neutral flexibilities in arranging your employment conditions using a AWA. Except where otherwise specified in the AWA, your terms and conditions are those that apply under the current AEC Collective Agreement.

Employees also have the option of having their pay and conditions set under the AEC's Certified Agreement. Both the current  AEC Collective Agreement and AWAs allow for a range of flexible work conditions and leave allowances including:

• a standard working week of 37½ hours
• Flextime under which you can use extra time worked to take time off work
• four weeks of annual leave per year
• personal leave that covers a range of circumstances
• the opportunity to purchase extra leave per year, and
• office shut down between Christmas and New Year.

Flexible Work Environment

Employees with family responsibilities in the AEC are able to fulfil these responsibilities with minimum conflict between employment and family and without being subject to discrimination.

The following options are available to assist employees to help them to balance their work and personal lives. Arrangements may include:

• regular part-time work
• working from home
• purchased leave, which allows employees to purchase leave that may be used to fulfil family commitments/responsibilities
• maternity and paternity leave
• family rooms where available
• personal leave for carers purposes, and
• confidential access to the AEC's Employee Assistance Program.

Political Neutrality

The AEC places special emphasis on political neutrality because it is responsible for providing the Australian people with an independent electoral service.

It is essential that all AEC employees are, and are seen to be, politically neutral.

Values and Code of Conduct

The AEC is committed to the APS Values and Code of Conduct contained in the Public Service Act 1999. The AEC Standard of Conduct incorporates the APS Values and Code of Conduct which were created to ensure, among other things, that all employees in the APS work in an environment that allows them to reach their full potential.

Workplace Diversity

Workplace diversity involves recognising and valuing individual differences in the workplace.

Diversity covers gender, age, language, ethnicity, cultural background, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation and family responsibilities. Diversity also refers to the other ways in which we are different such as educational level, work experience, socio-economic background, personality and marital status.

The AEC's Workplace Diversity Program not only encompasses but goes beyond the traditional view of EEO. While the EEO concept of rectifying ongoing disadvantage to particular groups of people remains an important foundation, workplace diversity focuses on the positive contribution that a diverse workforce can make to organisational effectiveness and morale. It encourages innovative and creative ways of thinking and problem solving. Workplace diversity is about the culture of the AEC and permeates all areas of the organisation.

Occupational Health and Safety

The AEC is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its employees while at work in accordance with the OH&S Act (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991. The AEC recognises it has a duty of care to undertake all reasonable practicable steps to protect and promote the health and safety of its employees whilst at work, using its facilities, or while on AEC premises. This duty of care also extends to members of the public whilst on AEC premises.