Department of Parliamentary Services

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The Department of Parliamentary Services is one of four Australian parliamentary departments, providing facilities, technology, security, library and research, Hansard, visitor, and other support services that enable the Australian Parliament to function and maintain Parliament House in Canberra.

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
aph.gov.au

About Department of Parliamentary Services

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is a core support agency of the Australian Parliament, based at Parliament House in Canberra. It provides a wide range of non‑partisan services that allow the House of Representatives and the Senate, their members and staff, and visitors to operate safely and effectively. DPS manages building operations and maintenance, security services at Parliament House, information technology and networks, the Parliamentary Library and research services, Hansard (the official parliamentary record), visitor services, tours, events support, and retail and catering outlets within Parliament House.

A charge from the Department of Parliamentary Services (or a similar description such as “Aust Parl DPS”, “Parl House Canberra” or “APH DPS”) may appear on your bank or card statement when you pay for goods or services connected with Parliament House. Common reasons include venue or room hire, catered events, conferences and functions held at Parliament House, paid tours or education programs, purchase of publications or official transcripts, retail purchases from the Parliament Shop, parking fees, or café/restaurant payments processed under the DPS merchant facility. Some charges may be recurring if you have an ongoing service agreement or regular booking, and you may also see temporary authorisation holds when you make or modify online bookings.

To verify a DPS charge, start by checking your calendar and emails for recent visits to Parliament House, event confirmations, invoices issued by the Parliament, or receipts from the Parliament Shop, cafés, or function venues. Compare the date and amount on your statement with any booking confirmations or tax invoices you have received. If you still have questions, you can contact DPS through the contact details on aph.gov.au (search for “Department of Parliamentary Services contact”) or phone the Parliament House switchboard and ask to be directed to the relevant area (for example, venue hire, visitor services, or the Parliament Shop). Have your transaction date, amount, and any reference numbers ready, as this will help them locate your payment, clarify what it relates to, and discuss options if a billing error or refund is required.

Bank Statement Variations

3 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Department of Parliamentary Services.

  1. DEPT. OF PARLIAMENTA CANBERRA AUS
  2. DEPT. OF PARLIAMENTARY CANBERRA AU
  3. Dept of Parliamentary Capital Hill AU

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of payments commonly appear as a Department of Parliamentary Services charge?

DPS charges most often relate to venue or room hire at Parliament House, catering for events or functions, parking fees, paid tours or education programs, and purchases from the Parliament Shop or on‑site cafés and restaurants. If you attended a conference, reception, guided tour, or school visit at Parliament House, or made a retail purchase on site, the payment is likely to be processed under a DPS merchant ID and appear on your statement accordingly.

Why is my DPS charge for an unusual or high amount?

Larger DPS charges typically relate to venue hire, security services, audio‑visual or technical support, and catering for official events or conferences held at Parliament House. These services are often billed together on a single invoice, so you may see one higher‑value charge rather than multiple smaller amounts. Review any formal booking agreements or invoices you received from Parliament House and compare the total to the amount on your statement.

Can I be charged recurring or scheduled payments by the Department of Parliamentary Services?

Most DPS transactions are one‑off charges for specific bookings or purchases, but recurring payments can occur where there is an ongoing room booking, long‑term parking arrangement, or a standing service agreement. In such cases, charges usually follow the schedule outlined in your contract or confirmation email. If you see repeated DPS charges you do not recognise, contact DPS finance or accounts (via the details on aph.gov.au) to confirm whether a recurring arrangement is in place.

How do I cancel or change a booking associated with a DPS charge?

To cancel or amend a Parliament House venue, tour, or event booking, refer to the contact details and cancellation conditions in your original confirmation or invoice. Most bookings must be changed or cancelled in writing (for example, by email) within a specified timeframe to avoid full or partial charges, especially where catering or security has already been arranged. If you are unsure who to contact, use the “Contact us” section on aph.gov.au and select the option for venue hire, events, or visitor services.

How can I request a refund or dispute a Department of Parliamentary Services transaction?

If you believe you have been overcharged or charged in error, first locate any receipts, invoices, or booking confirmations and confirm the agreed amount and terms (including cancellation policies). Then contact DPS using the finance or accounts payable/receivable details provided on your invoice, or via the general contact form on aph.gov.au, and provide the transaction date, amount, last four digits of your card, and any reference numbers. DPS will review the transaction, and if a billing error is confirmed or a refund is allowed under the relevant policy, they will process a reversal or credit back to your original payment method.

Why do I see a small or temporary DPS charge that later disappears?

When you make certain bookings or payments online or by card, DPS or its payment processor may place a temporary authorisation hold on your card to confirm that funds are available. This can appear as a pending or small test charge, but it should either convert into the final transaction or automatically drop off your account within a few business days. If a pending DPS authorisation remains on your account for an extended period or converts to an unexpected final charge, contact your bank and DPS to investigate.

How can I get a copy of my receipt or tax invoice for a DPS payment?

If you paid in person at Parliament House, a printed receipt is usually offered at the time of purchase; for online or pre‑booked services, invoices are typically emailed to the address you provided during booking. If you need a replacement tax invoice or receipt, contact the relevant DPS area (such as venue hire, the Parliament Shop, or visitor services) and supply details like the date and amount of the transaction, the name of your organisation, and any booking reference. They can usually reissue documentation by email for your records or for reconciliation purposes.

What should I do if I don’t recognise a DPS charge and I haven’t visited Parliament House?

First, check with family members, colleagues, or your organisation’s travel or events team to see whether anyone used your card or company account for a Parliament House booking or purchase. If no one recognises the transaction, contact DPS through the details on aph.gov.au and provide the charge amount, date, and the merchant description from your statement so they can search their records. If DPS cannot locate a matching legitimate transaction or you suspect card fraud, immediately notify your bank or card issuer so they can secure your account and investigate the charge.

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