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About the Department

How to Apply

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Things to consider before preparing your application

Before you start your application it is important that you read the Position Description for the advertised position(s) and decide if your skills and abilities match the requirements of the job. If you require additional information to make this assessment it is recommended that you phone the nominated Contact Officer to discuss the job.

You may also wish to conduct other research about the department and/or vacancy. Documents such as the Annual Report and Corporate and Business Plans may be helpful and are available in the department's libraries, other Australian Public Service (APS) departmental libraries, and also on the department's Internet homepage.
See: http://www.immi.gov.au

Selection processes in the department are very competitive and selection committees are often dealing with a large number of candidates, especially for vacancies advertised as 'several positions, various divisions and branches'. In the case of large processes, committees compile an order of merit from which a number of vacancies are filled immediately. The order of merit remains valid for 12 months from the date of advertising and may be drawn on to fill any future vacancies that might arise in that time.

Applying online

Applicants apply for vacancies using the Departmental Online Recruitment System (DORS), an Internet based recruitment software package used by the department to advertise vacancies and to facilitate the submission of job applications. Applicants who are unable to submit their application online should contact the DORS System Administrator at systemadministrator@immi.gov.au to make alternative arrangements.

When applying online it is important that you:

  • include your correct email address
  • ensure that your email address is, current, reliable and accessible
  • check the Internet Browser that you use (Netscape or Explorer) is compatible with the application. The online system is optimised for version 5.0 and above browsers.

Applicants will be required to provide the following information online:

Addressing selection criteria

The statements provided against each of the selection criteria are the most important part of the application, as this information, together with your resume, will be used to shortlist applicants for further consideration for the vacancy.

When addressing the selection criteria please ensure:

  • you restrict your responses to the word limit specified in the application form
  • your answers are focussed and include your experience, abilities and skills. Only include relevant information, outlining your achievements against each particular criterion
  • your grammar and spelling are correct, and you have used the correct punctuation where appropriate. For extended answers you may wish to write them in Word or another application, then cut and paste the answers into your on-line application when completed, and
  • your resume is attached to the online application form as either a Microsoft Word document (*.doc) or a Macintosh text document (*.txt).

When addressing the selection criteria you should look at the Capability Development Framework document for the level of the advertised vacancy. The Capability Development Framework sets out the core capabilities for all staff and the skills and behaviours required at each classification level. The selection criteria are based on the six capabilities outlined in the Capability Development Framework.

If you have not applied for a job in the Australian Public Service you may also want to look at the Australian Public Service Commission's publication 'Cracking the Code: How to apply for jobs in the Australian Public Service'.
See: www.apsc.gov.au/publications07/crackingthecode.htm

Preparing your resume

Your resume should include the following:

  • full name and address
  • contact telephone numbers
  • educational qualifications including membership of professional organisations
  • employment history (include dates, name of employer, position occupied, work area) and a brief outline of the duties undertaken. The details should be in reverse chronological order, starting with your present position and working backwards
  • names and contact details of two referees (one of whom is your current supervisor).

Please do not send any attachments such as examples of work, publications or graphics with your application. If you are selected for interview you may wish to bring them to the interview.

Tips and tricks

The following is a list of job application related tips and tricks:

  • resolve all queries before submitting your application
  • don't assume that the panel and delegate know additional information about you
  • give a clear picture of your roles and responsibilities in functions and tasks that you have cited in your application
  • Use active and not passive language in your application.
    Example:
    Active language: 'I am/do/performed', 'I did/managed/administered'
    Passive language: 'believe', 'I was involved in', 'I was required to'

Referee reports

When submitting your application, you should provide the name, location and daytime contact details of at least two referees who can provide comments on your work performance against the selection criteria. It is in your interest to notify any intended referees that you have nominated them.

It is not necessary to provide written referee reports with your application unless the advertisement has requested them. If you are selected for interview, you may be asked to provide referee reports at the time of your interview. However, the selection panel may seek oral or written referee reports after the interview. It is expected that your current supervisor would be one of your referees.

If you are unable to provide your current supervisor as a referee as this may prejudice your continuing employment, you should discuss this with the Chairperson of the selection panel when called for interview. It is important to remember that a good referee is someone who:

  • is familiar with your abilities
  • is able to comment on your claims against the selection criteria
  • is able to give examples of your work performance from their own observations.