Application Process

About Generic/Several selections

Approximately 90% of AusAID positions are filled as a result of 'generic' or 'several' selections. Selections are made on the basis of the skills set required at a particular classification level eg APS Level 6, rather than the specific requirements of a particular position. Generic/several selections are undertaken in anticipation of vacancies occurring, therefore the number and location of positions to be filled is not usually known at the time of advertising.

Applicants offered employment through a generic selection process could be placed in any work area according to AusAID's operational requirements.

The order of merit established as a result of generic selections remains valid for a period of six months. Offers of employment are made as vacancies are identified during that period and in accordance with the order of merit.

Selection process

AusAID advertises vacancies on the Current Vacancies page of this website and in the Commonwealth Gazette. Vacancies are also regularly advertised in the press. Applications will be accepted until midnight on the day the vacancy closes ie. as long as the vacancy appears on the Current Vacancies page.

A Selection Committee is established consisting of three experienced people capable of bringing a range of perspectives to the selection process. The committee assesses the skills and attributes of the applicants against the selection criteria and makes a selection recommendation to the 'delegate'.

The process usually followed by the Selection Committee is:

shortlist
interview
assess referee comments
prepare a report.

Shortlisting

The committee reviews the written applications to determine a shortlist of preferred applicants for interview. Only the strongest applicants are shortlisted for interview, not necessarily all those who satisfy the selection criteria.

Interviewing

The committee conducts a thorough interview, often incorporating a written or practical test. While the committee assesses applicants against all the relevant selection criteria, they may not necessarily ask questions against each individual criterion at the interview.

All applicants residing in Canberra are interviewed face-to-face. Applicants residing outside Canberra are interviewed via telephone in the first instance. If a follow up face-to-face interview is required, Australian residents are flown to Canberra at AusAID's expense. Other arrangements are made for applicants residing overseas.

Assessing referee comments

The Committee normally requires two written referee reports, one from your current supervisor/employer. They also contact referees, as necessary, to clarify any issues relating to an applicant's background, experience or work performance.

The committee evaluates the comments made by referees and determines the appropriate rating, rather than automatically accepting a referee's rating.

Report

The committee prepares a report on the selection process, identifying an order of merit of those applicants considered suitable for the level or position in AusAID. Assessment is based on an applicant's written application, their performance at interview and their referees' comments. AusAID makes offers of employment based on this order of merit. Offers are made subject to security and health checks.

When to apply

Applications should be submitted during the application period, as advertised in Current Vacancies on this website and in the press.

Unsolicited applications submitted outside the application period will not be considered.

How to apply

Applications can be made as directed on the Current Vacancies page of this website.

A full application must include:

a completed application cover sheet
a statement describing your suitability against each of the prescribed selection criteria
your resume (CV).

You may also wish to include a covering letter.

Application cover sheet

The application cover sheet must be provided with your application as it is a declaration that all information in the application is true and accurate. AusAID will not accept your application unless you have completed the cover sheet and signed the declaration. If you apply on-line, you must acknowledge the declaration or your application will not be submitted.

Statement addressing the selection criteria

The prescribed selection criteria reflect the skills set required to successfully undertake the duties for the particular classification level or position. The Selection Committee will assess your suitability based upon these selection criteria. The statement is your opportunity to tell the Selection Committee how you consider yourself suitable against each of the selection criteria.

Important: If you are applying for a single vacancy ie not a generic vacancy, make sure you address all the generic and all specific selection criteria that apply to that position. Specific selection criteria are normally found at the bottom of the duty statement for the position, not on the page listing the generic selection criteria.

For criteria relating to skills and abilities, it is not sufficient to say that you possess those skills - you will need to provide concrete examples that demonstrate them. For knowledge-based criteria, such as knowledge of development issues, you need to outline your understanding of the issues and not simply paraphrase information obtained from AusAID's website or other sources.

It is vital that you be concise in your statement ie. no more than three pages in total. Applications excessive in length reflects poorly on your written communication skills.

The selection criteria for each advertised vacancy and details relating to the application process are included in the selection documentation, accessible from the Current Vacancies page during the application period. The selection documentation provides important information on the application process, so it is essential that you read it carefully.

Resume (CV)

Your resume should provide a snapshot of your qualifications, work history, and other information relevant to your application.

Your resume should include:

your details including name, address, contact telephone numbers and email address
your qualifications and other relevant professional development activities
your employment history in order from your most recent experience and presented in a format that includes the start and end date of the job, position/title (including public service level if appropriate) and summary of responsibilities/achievements
list any professional memberships/affiliations or published papers, if appropriate
the names of at least two referees.

Your resume (CV) should be no more than 2 pages in length.

What to do if you are not successful

Due to significant interest in AusAID vacancies, the agency is unable to provide feedback for applicants who are not selected for interview. Following the completion of a recruitment selection process, applicants who are short listed for interview but are not selected will be notified by mail and receive a comparative assessment on their interview performance.

If you have applied on a number of occasions and have not been successful in gaining employment, you may wish to consider whether your experience and/or qualifications are appropriate for the level of position for which you applied. It may be more appropriate to apply for a lower level position or to wait until you have gained further experience or qualifications before you re-apply for the same level.