Applying for a job in WA's government sector

Eligibility to apply 

To be employed in WA's government sector you must be an Australian citizen, have permanent resident status in Australia or have a visa that allows you to live and work in Australia for the period of your employment contract.  

Some jobs have other employment conditions or requests. If you meet these criteria it is helpful to highlight this in your application or when answering the questions in the online application portal.  

Workforce diversity and inclusion 

The WA Government is building a diverse and inclusive workforce. This means people of all backgrounds and abilities are encouraged to apply for jobs where you will find accessible and inclusive workplaces. 

WA law allows jobs to be designated to certain groups of people based on their race, sex, disability or age. An example is stating a job is for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people only. This is sometimes called a 50(d) position as this is the section of legislation that allows it. Jobs designated in this way are clearly described in the advertisement and job description. 

How to apply

The application requirements for each agency may differ so read all the information in the job advertisement carefully to make sure you follow things such as word limits, fonts and deadlines. These requirements are sometimes described in a downloadable application pack.  

There is often a link to a detailed job description which usually contains selection criteria. These criteria are used to choose the best person for the job so it is important in your application to describe how your skills and experience meet them.  

Most job listings also have a contact who you can speak to about any questions you may have.

The recruitment process may include being selected for an interview. Whether you are selected for an interview or not, when the recruitment processes is finished you are informed in writing about the result. This information contains details of a contact person who can give you feedback on your application that can help you make your next application stronger.  

Remember, no matter what role you’re looking for, persistence and preparation are key. Your next opportunity could be right around the corner!  

What is a good way to write an application?

There are many ways to structure a written application, with the STAR model often mentioned as a useful way to present information about selection criteria.   

If you choose to use STAR, choose something you did in a previous job that is a good example and use these points to form sentences for each criterion:  

Situation – set the context by describing the circumstance where you used the skills or qualities and gained the experience. 

Task – outline what steps you carried out to achieve an outcome (specific to the selection criteria). 

Actions – describe what you did and how you did it? 

Results – describe what you achieved, the end result and how it relates to the job you are applying for. 

Visit Get that job on the Jobs and Skills WA website(Opens in a new tab/window) to see some examples of the STAR writing process. 

Pool recruitment

You might see the terms 'pool', ‘talent pool’, 'appointment pool' or ‘talent register’ in some government job advertisements. 

Pool recruitment is where a process identifies a number of people as suitable for a job. These people may then be appointed to future permanent or temporary jobs. Generally, a pool operates for 6 to 12 months from the date it is established, so it can be a great way of securing a job in the future.

As with all government sector recruitment, you are informed in writing about the result at the end of the process. 

Permanent and temporary jobs

Jobs in WA's government sector may be permanent or temporary.

If you are appointed to a permanent job, it is yours for as long as you choose to stay unless there are serious concerns with performance (employees are provided with extensive support if performance is not satisfactory) or if there are legal or integrity reasons why a person needs to be removed from a job.

Fixed term and temporary appointments are available for a set period. The advertisement for these roles may sometimes indicate the possibility of extension or permanency.

Working in temporary government jobs allows you to gain valuable experience in the government sector which can enhance your prospects to win future jobs. It is an excellent way to learn about different government agencies and discover what roles you are passionate about.