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General Application Information

Below is some general information about applying for jobs in Centrelink.

Eligibility to apply for Centrelink vacancies

To be eligible to apply for jobs in Centrelink, you must be an Australian citizen and meet certain general criteria .

Please note: If you become an ongoing employee with Centrelink, you will be subject to a probationary period.

All permanent Centrelink vacancies are advertised in the Public Service Gazette and the Job Network Touch Screens. National Support Office vacancies, which are usually based in Canberra, are advertised on the Centrelink website under Centrelink Job Vacancies.

Applications will only be accepted for advertised employment opportunities and you will need to quote the job reference number.

Gazette vacancies marked with a clover symbol are only open to officers of the Australian Public Service (APS).

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Your Application

If you feel you have the necessary skills and experience for the advertised vacancy, you need to demonstrate to the selection panel and the Delegate that you are able to satisfy the requirements of the position.

Listed below are some points to help you complete your application.

  • remember that you will be competing with others for the job and that you will benefit from time spent on some basic research and planning before applying
  • ensure you read all the information in the advertisement
  • read all the information on this web site
  • if the vacancy is for a position in a Customer Service Centre call in and have a look around and be sure it’s an environment you would be able to work in
  • take note of the closing date as some vacancies will close within a few days of the advertisement appearing and late applications may not be accepted
  • remember to provide a situation, an action and the result in your responses - written, verbal or online - to the selection criteria
  • ensure you have:
    • the name & contact details of 2 work related referees including relevant dates
    • the dates and duties of any recent/relevant work history
    • details of any educational qualifications
    • your full e-mail address if applying online
  • present your resume in reverse chronological order - most recent first
  • if you have any questions and a contact number is provided give it a call and have a chat

Centrelink is committed to excellence in customer service. Therefore you need to demonstrate sound interpersonal and verbal communication skills for most vacancies. If you are applying for a position in a Customer Service Centre (CSC) we recommend you visit a CSC beforehand to get a feel for our work environment and customer groups.

Centrelink is a highly computerised environment. It is one of Australia’s 100 leading I&T users with the fourth largest I&T network distribution. Centrelink staff need to be computer literate with an ability to use internet based reference and research tools and a variety of applications to input and produce accurate data.

Customer Service Officers working in a Call Centre work in a phone intensive, scheduled environment. They use a headset phone with a long lead allowing flexibility to take calls in a standing or sitting position.

Call Centre operatives update electronic customer records as part of the phone interaction. If you are applying for a position in a Call Centre you need to be able to speak clearly and have no difficulty hearing over a telephone line.

Applicants for all employment opportunities are assessed against the competencies required to perform the functions of the advertised role. This means you need to ensure you understand all aspects of the job and the skills required.

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The Selection Process

External recruitment agencies conduct many recruitment activities on behalf of Centrelink. This means advertisements may appear in newspapers with a company logo alongside the Centrelink/Government logo.

Follow the instructions in the advertisement carefully. Some advertisements will ask you to contact the recruitment agency, some to apply online whilst yet others will ask for a written response addressing the selection criteria.

Each stage of the recruitment process evaluates your behaviours and responses against competencies linked to the selection criteria. Employment decisions will be based on merit, with an assessment being made on relative suitability of the candidate.

Please note: each vacancy will have a specified closing date and late applications may not be considered.

The most common recruitment processes that Centrelink use are:

Successful applicants who have been offered employment with Centrelink may be eligible for assistance with relocation. If you have been offered employment and Centrelink has asked you to complete an inventory of your personal effects go to the Toll Transitions webpage.

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Referees Comments

Referee comments are sought before a position is offered. Advertisements will usually mention if written referee reports are required. At least one of your referees should be from your current supervisor. You should select referees who can provide effective comments on your skills, abilities, experience and work performance.

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Closing Times

Employment opportunities may be open for a few day only or until 4.51pm on the fourteenth day after notification of the vacancy in the Gazette. The closing date will be specified in the advertisement.

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Late Applications

Normally, late applications are not accepted. If you are not able to lodge a full application by the closing date, you may wish to contact the nominated Contact Officer to make alternate arrangements.

If you are unable to provide referee reports with your application, it is suggested you note this on your application and/or telephone the nominated Contact Officer to advise when they will be available.

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Contacts

A Contact Officer will be listed on the vacancy notice for any enquires you may have regarding the position.

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Lodging Your Application

Methods and details of lodgment should appear on the vacancy notice.

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