Career
He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Nordland in 1965, and was re-elected on three occasions. He had previously served in the position of deputy representative during the term 1958–1961, during which he met as a regular representative meanwhile Kolbjørn Sigurd Verner Varmann was appointed to the Cabinet, and also during the term 1961–1965. Hellem was involved in local politics in Ankenes from 1951 to 1955.