FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is an eligible applicant for an advertised public service position?
  
  
  • Australian Citizenship or permanent residency is an essential requirement for permanent positions in the public sector. Non-permanent residents who have an appropriate visa are eligible for fixed term appointments.
    
    Section 73 of the Public Sector Management Act also restricts the employment of those officers employed in Ministerial offices. Those officers should contact the Human Resource Services Branch for advice.

• Why is your application important?
  
  
  
  • Your written application will be used by the selection panel to determine whether you will be selected for an interview.
    
    As there may be many other people applying for the position, your application needs to demonstrate that you meet all the essential selection criteria and stand out from other applicants.

• What are the selection criteria?
  
  
  • The selection criteria are the skills, qualifications and experience that the selection panel consider are needed to successfully do the work of the advertised position. Selection criteria are divided into two types, those skills and experience that are essential for doing the work and those that are desirable. Essential criteria are those that you absolutely need to have to do the work while having the desirable criteria would greatly help you do the work. The selection criteria are also used by the panel to develop questions for the interviews.

• Do I need to address the selection criteria in a separate document?
  
  
  • No. However some applicants may prefer to address the selection criteria as separate statements.
    
    All applications are measured against the selection criteria/work requirements to determine who should be offered an interview. Selection criteria are the standards by which the applicants are assessed therefore, it is important for the panel to be able to easily assess your suitability for the position. Your curriculum vitae should provide sufficient information to support the criteria. Please click here to find out more information on Statement Addressing the Selection Criteria.

• Can I submit a late application?
  
  
  • The Department will not accept or consider late applications unless the applicant can provide conclusive evidence of mishandling either within the Department or by Australia Post. This includes applications lodged by facsimile, e-mail or internet.
    
    It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure sufficient time is allowed for postage and/or electronic submission of applications to arrive prior to the advertised closing date and time.

• Once I have submitted an application, what happens?
  
  
  • The selection panel assesses applications against the selection criteria/work requirements and invites competitive applicants for interview. Interviews are conducted. (Referee reports may be sought before or after interview.) The Chair of the panel prepares the selection report and a recommendation is made. All applicants are notified of the panel's decision at the completion of interviews.
    
    If you are not selected for an interview, you will not be advised in writing that your application was unsuccessful until interviews have been conducted and a recommendation is made and approved. You may be verbally advised by the Chair of the panel that interviews have been held, however the Chair cannot provide feedback until the selection process is completed. If there is an unanticipated delay, a letter will be sent advising you of this. The average time frame for the approval process may take up to 3 months.

• What happens at the interview?
  
  
  • You will be asked a set of questions that relate directly to the selection criteria. The panel will consist of usually 3 members and is made up of both males and females. You may be given the questions ahead of time and have time to read the questions and make notes prior to the interview.
    
    The panel will be looking for qualities you may bring to the Department, how you present yourself and how you respond to questions. Panel members may make notes as you are talking to help recall information when it comes to making a decision. Don't be put off by this or feel you need to keep talking. The panel will ask you for more information if they need to.
    
    Think about your answers - even if it takes some moments to prepare your response and always ask questions of the panel if you are unsure of anything.

• What happens after the interview?
  
  
  • If you are one of the suitable applicants, the panel may contact your referees to further validate your claims. This does not mean that you have been recommended for the position but means that you are ranked suitable and are being considered further. You may be asked to attend another interview or undergo further testing.
    
    Letters advising of the results of the selection process will be sent to all applicants. If you were unsuccessful, the letter will provide you with contact details of a panel member to find out more about how your application and/or interview went. You are encouraged to seek this feedback as it can be of assistance with future applications and interviews.
    
    The letter will also refer to the fact that you have the right to lodge a formal application seeking a review of the process within 8 working days of receiving advice of the decision. For further information, see Public Sector Standards in Human Resource Management.

• Can the Panel contact a referee not nominated by me?
  
  
  • Yes, but the applicant should be informed. Referees contacted by the agency in these circumstances must legitimately have been in a position to have observed the applicant's work-related skills, knowledge and abilities.

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