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Prepare your application
Your application must include:
- responses to the selection criteria
- your current résumé.
Consider giving us as much detail in your application as possible. This helps us determine how suited you are to the position.
Also, find out as much information as you can about the position, so you can provide us with good clear answers to our questions. The selection criteria are vital and help us shortlist applicants.
Addressing selection criteria
We choose people on merit – it’s one of our key principles for employing people.
Before you apply, look at our selection criteria and consider how suited you are to the position.
When you answer each of the questions, demonstrate your attributes, competencies and experiences.
Tip! Consider writing your answers in a word processing program and cut and paste your answers into our online application form.
Need more information? Download 
A Guide on Addressing Selection Criteria.doc 59.5KB
Completing your online application
You need to submit your application using our online form.
Remember to also attach your current résumé.
Make sure it contains information about your education, training and work experience.
List your qualifications and training courses in order of date - from most recent to least recent.
Also, list the positions you’ve held and a brief description of your duties for each position.
Format
Your résumé should be in:
- Microsoft Word
- HTML, or
- PDF.
It must be no bigger than 1 MB (1024 KB).
Mailing applications
In exceptional circumstances, and with prior written approval, we'll accept applications by email.
If you're unable to submit your application via our online system please email: fwo.recruitment@fwo.gov.au
Note: We may refuse late applications.
Short-listing applications for interview
We’ll short-list applicants for interviews based on merit. We’ll give you feedback about your application if you ask for it.
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Interview & work sample assessment
During the interview we:
- give you information about the position
- ask you some behavioural-based questions
- offer you the opportunity to ask questions.
Be prepared to share some information about yourself and your experience.
The questions we ask are specific to the position you’ve applied for.
Be prepared for questions on your skills and ones that call on you to draw on past experiences by giving us specific examples. We’re also interested in your key achievements.
Our interview panel is usually made up of 3 people and, sometimes, a person to write down what’s said.
You'll also be asked to give us the names of 2 work-related referees.
Interview tips
- Plan ahead - be punctual, confirm the contact name, time and location of the interview before the day.
- Check with us to see if you can bring notes to the interview.
- Dress smartly.
- Understand the main role and responsibilities of the position.
- Speak clearly and confidently and maintain eye contact.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude.
- Listen carefully.
- Know your résumé - understand your own strengths and weaknesses.
- Think widely about the roles and responsibilities you have had to date and your achievements - whether in a social, academic, work or community context.
- Take your time choosing examples that relate to the skills of the position and don’t be frightened to ask for clarification if unsure.
- Prepare a couple of relevant and thoughtful questions to ask.
- Show enthusiasm and interest.
- Relax and smile.
- Avoid making negative comments about or putting down a previous employer or position.
- Don’t smoke before your interview or wear too much aftershave / perfume as non-smokers and sensitive interviewers may find this off-putting.
Work sample assessment
A work sample assessment is a practical example of a work task that’s specific to the position and relates to the selection criteria.
This could be a hand-written or computer-based task and is generally 45 minutes long.
For example, if applying for a Fair Work Inspector position, you should be able to find, analyse and synthesise research data from a variety of sources, such as awards, agreements and legislation.
This means, we may ask you to check a relevant award and tell us if an employee is entitled to long-service leave and at what rate of pay.
Referee check
Referee comments are vital to the selection and assessment process.
We need them to give us additional information relevant to the application only.
Choose referees who can comment well on your current / relevant skills and abilities, experience or work performance against the selection criteria.
We confirm your referee details. We won’t contact your referees without your consent.
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Offer to successful applicant
If you’re successful, we’ll contact you by phone to discuss a formal job offer and start date.
We’ll then send you other information you need by email and post.
Terms & conditions of employment
Are you eligible to apply?
You must meet the following:
- Australian citizenship
Applicants should be Australian citizens to work as either a non-ongoing (temporary) or ongoing (permanent) employee.
- Qualifications
You must have these where they’re mandatory for the position.
- Health clearances
All new employees must complete a health assessment form before they start.
- Security and character clearances
All new employees must complete a form that will be sent to the Australian Federal Police for a police record check (character clearance). Security clearances may be needed for certain positions.
- Period of probation
Your employment will depend on you completing a probation period.
- Voluntary redundancy
If you’ve taken a redundancy with the Australian Public Service or any other Commonwealth employer, you’re not eligible to be employed for a specific period from the date of your redundancy. This period is calculated based on the gross amount of the redundancy benefit divided by weekly salary.
- Need more information? Go to the
Australian Public Service Commission’s website
Notification to the unsuccessful applicant
If you’re unsuccessful, we email you the result. We give unsuccessful applicants feedback when asked.
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