A guide to government jobs in Australia - blog image

The public sector is a major industry in Australia, accounting for around 7% of the country’s employment. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were more than 2.1 million people employed in government jobs across the country at the end of June 2021.

Government work offers an attractive career path for professionals with a range of skills and experience. With benefits including flexible working conditions, generous pay and job stability, it’s easy to see why many people opt to stay in the public sector long term.

Considering a job in the public sector? Here’s what you need to know.

Government jobs at glance

Data from Labour Market Insights reveals that the public sector is a high-growth industry, with government jobs increasing by 19.9% over the five years to November 2021. 

Over the five-year period between November 2020 and November 2025, employment in the public sector is projected to grow by 36,700 jobs (or 4.2%).

Within the public sector, the top areas of employment include:

  • State Government
  • Public Order and Safety Services
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Defence
  • Justice
  • Regulatory Services
  • Government Representation

Government jobs pay an average of $1,600 per week, significantly higher than the average of $1,200 across all industries in Australia.

Although government roles span almost every field, some of the most in-demand hiring areas include:

Private vs. public sector: What’s the difference?

Unlike the private sector, which is made up of privately owned organisations, the public sector covers organisations and functions that are owned and operated by the government. This includes the federal government, state governments and local governments.

Beyond that, some of the common differences between working in the private and public sector include:

Regulations and compliance requirements

Government workers are required to work within the government’s guidelines and protocols, which can be more rigid than the private sector. This extends to the hiring process, which includes more comprehensive candidate selection criteria than you might find for a comparable job in the private sector.

Flexibility and job benefits

In many cases, government jobs offer benefits that are harder to come by in the private sector. This can include shorter working weeks, flexible working hours, rostered days off and paid parental leave. 

Strategic objectives

Profitability is often the primary goal for private sector employers, whereas public sector organisations typically operate to provide services to the general public. This can impact the overall strategy of the organisation, as well as individual employees’ objectives and KPIs.

How to address government selection criteria

One of the biggest hurdles to landing a government job is effectively addressing the selection criteria – which is a list of the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the role. Job applicants are shortlisted based on these criteria, so it’s critical to pay attention to this section of the job ad. 

To be offered an interview, your resume and job application needs to prove that you meet most, if not all, of these key criteria. Think carefully about how your skills and experience apply to the role, and where possible, provide examples. The more boxes you can tick, the more likely you’ll be to progress to the next stage.

RELATED: How to tailor your resume to a job description

If you need guidance at any point, consider talking to a recruiter with specialist expertise. Page Personnel’s consultants have long-standing experience in the public sector and can help secure you a role in local, state or federal government. Explore our open government jobs or get in touch to discu

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