How to apply
- Eligibility
- Preparing your application
- Addressing the selection criteria
- Submitting your application
Eligibility
Citizenship
Applicants who are not Australian citizens are ineligible for engagement as an Australian Public Service employee (unless there are exceptional circumstances).
Redundancy
Applicants who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer are generally ineligible for engagement as an ongoing employee until the expiry of their redundancy period.
Probation
Engagement of an ongoing employee who is not already an ongoing APS employee will be subject to a period of probation (normally six months).
Character clearance
Engagements are subject to a satisfactory character clearance (National Police Check) being received by ComSuper before the new employee commences work with ComSuper. The character clearance is designed to assure ComSuper that a prospective employee is suitable for employment.
We also reserve the right to contact any of an applicant’s past or present employers in order to obtain background information regarding the applicant’s suitability for the advertised position.
Other conditions
A health assessment may be required. Formal qualifications or a security clearance may be required depending on the particular employment opportunity.
As a financial services provider, our staff are required to be trained in accordance with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146) policy. For some positions, this competency is a condition of engagement. In those cases, the requirement will be specified in the selection documentation for the employment opportunity. Where the RG146 competency is required, ComSuper will arrange and pay for the training, and will pay an annual competency allowance to employees who obtain the qualification and keep it up to date.
Preparing your application
Advertised vacancies can attract a number of good quality candidates so it is in your best interest to prepare an application that will demonstrate to the selection panel that you are able to satisfy the requirements of the role. We recommend that you obtain as much information as possible about the nature and responsibilities of the role, the work environment and ComSuper by reading the job description, accessing information on this website and talking to the nominated Contact Officer.
To be considered, your application needs to include:
- A written Statement of Claims which takes account the selection criteria, the primary responsibilities of the role and any qualifications and/or experience identified as a requirement for the position. We are interested not only in your work experience and qualifications, but also in your qualities, skills and potential. Requirements for the Statement of Claims will be outlined in the job opportunity document. You may be asked to write a statement against each criterion or one or two pages in total against all the criteria and role requirements.
- Current and relevant Curriculum Vitae (CV). We are interested in your employment history, relevant qualifications and training. These should be presented starting with the most recent (i.e. in reverse chronological order).
- A completed Application cover sheet (or PDF version). This provides us with vital eligibility, referee and contact information. It is also an opportunity to let us know whether you need any assistance during the selection process.
Addressing the selection criteria
It is recommended that you frame your Statement of Claims against the selection criteria in the context of the primary responsibilities of the role and any qualifications and/or experience identified as a requirement for the position.
It is important that you demonstrate how you will be of value to the job and the organisation. Make sure that you adequately address each selection criterion and provide evidence of your suitability. Do not simply state that you meet the requirements of the selection criteria. Give examples from your current or past role(s) that demonstrate how you meet the criterion. Consider the information provided about the role and focus on how your capabilities, experience and achievements will enable you to be successful in carrying out those responsibilities.
An approach you might like to use is the STAR model. That is:
- Situation – provide a brief outline of the situation or setting
- Task – outline what you did
- Approach (or Action) – outline how you did it
- Result – describe the outcome(s).
If you have not had direct experience in the particular work setting specified, you can demonstrate your ability and/or potential by comparing it to similar or equivalent responsibilities in another role or studies you have undertaken. You can also draw on examples from your non-work activities to demonstrate skills and knowledge relevant to the selection criteria.
Selection critrera
A maximum of one page per criterion is sufficient unless the specific job opportunity information specifies otherwise. For instance, you may be asked to address all the selection criteria in only 1-2 pages. Please ensure you follow the instructions in the job opportunity information.
All applicants will be judged on their ability to provide information clearly and concisely.
Submitting your application
To be considered, your application must be received no later than 5.00 pm on the advertised closing date. Late applications will not be accepted unless prior agreement has been obtained from the Contact Officer.
Receipt of applications will not be acknowledged unless specifically requested.
Please submit your application by email (preferred) or post to:
- Email address: recruitment@comsuper.gov.au (Word format preferred)
- Postal address:
Recruitment
PO Box 22
Belconnen ACT 2616
Last updated September 5, 2011