They're back - what happens in parliament

OPENING DAY

* Parliamentary church service at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church 7.30am.

* Welcome to Country by local indigenous people at 9am.

* Proclamation, summoning parliament, read by the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives at 10.30am.

* MPs and senators are sworn into office; election of the Speaker of the Reps and President of the Senate.

* Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove addresses a joint sitting of both chambers at 3pm, outlining the government's agenda for the 45th parliament.

* At the conclusion of his speech, there will be a 19-sun salute.

* Formal business gets under way in both chambers before adjournments at about 5pm.