How to apply

Application

When applying for a job, the application provides an opportunity for you to showcase how your skills, knowledge, and abilities align with the position. Each job posting will have a set of application questions based on the criteria listed in the Position Description.

Step 1.Write your resume

Start by creating an up-to-date, clear, concise, and well-organised resume. It's best to tailor your resume to the job you're applying for, including personal details, education, qualifications, work experience, skills, achievements, and references. To read more information about preparing your resume, download our Tips for Writing Your Resume flyer(PDF, 639KB).

Step 2.Answer the application questions

When drafting your responses, write them in a Word Document so you can save and edit them along the way. The length of your answer will depend on the complexity of the question and the level of the position you're applying for. It's best to write your answer in sentence format, but dot points can be used when outlining tasks or actions taken.

Step 3.Tips

Be specific – don’t tell us what you think you might do in the situation – tell us what you did
Use full sentences, check your spelling and grammar and stay within the word limit. The online system will not spell check for you, so it is recommended that you type your responses in a Word document first.
Remember communication skills are important for all jobs
If you don't have the ticket or qualification, part way through or willing to get it, it is important to fill out your application honestly. Explain this in your answer and include expected completion date if you are part way through.

Interview

Step 1.Preparing

Make sure you look at the skills and experience we are looking for in the Position Description and think about times when you've used those skills in your current or past jobs. Make a list of examples for each skill and practice explaining them out loud. You may even bring some notes to the interview to help you remember.

Depending on the job you are applying for, you may need to attend a behavioural interview or an alternative assessment. In a behavioural interview, you will be asked to provide examples from your past employment of specific situations which demonstrate your experience relevant to the question. Alternative assessment is designed specifically to the role. For example, if you apply for a concreter position, you may be invited to a technical skills assessment to demonstrate your skills and experience in concreting.

We’re committed to being inclusive when we hire people and understand that workplace adjustments are sometimes needed. Applicants can ask for an adjustment when applying for a job. To read more information about preparing for an interview, download our Preparing for an Interview flyer(PDF, 500KB) .

Step 2.Tips on the day

If you don't understand the question, ask the panel to rephrase the question for you
Feel free to bring along additional supporting information such as a portfolio or examples of previous work experience
Dress according to the role you are applying for. For a field-based role, smart casual wear is appropriate. It is expected that you would wear a suit or corporate attire for a professional or corporate position
If a panel member knows you and your situation, explain the scenario as if all panel members don't know you
If you don't have relevant work experience, use examples from other areas of your life, such as university, sports, or community involvement.
You will be asked in the interview if you have any further questions. We strongly suggest using this opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the role and our organisation's culture.

Step 3.What to bring?

You don’t need to bring anything unless requested. The panel may request you bring along: identification/proof of right to work in Australia (e.g. driver license or passport), your qualifications or any related licenses and/or tickets as listed in the Position Description.

Bring along your originals and a copy, as the panel will keep the copy.

Step 4.Reference and screening checks

Depending on the role, we may ask you for working with children checks, employment history checks, qualification, licence and ticket checks, confirming your right to work in Australia, referee checks, and/or pre-employment medical history.

If you are one of the candidates most suited to the job, we will contact two of your referees including your most recent supervisor.

We will ask you to consent to us contacting your referees before we do the checks. It’s worth contacting them at this point to make sure they are aware of what is required of them.

Offer

If you are successful, congratulations! However, if you are not successful, we may offer you a place on our eligibility list. This means you have met the job requirements and we can consider you for the same job for up to 12 months.

Our recruitment process is based on merit, which means we select the person who is best suited to the job requirements and the needs of our organisation. Sometimes we may target a specific group, such as people with a disability or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to build a workforce that reflects the community we serve. However, merit still applies to all candidates, and it's only the pool of candidates that is different.