Resources
November 29, 2025 - By Monique Thompson
The ACT Government offers some of the most stable, competitive and rewarding career opportunities in Australia. Whether you want to build a long-term administrative career, transition into policy and project work, contribute to frontline community services, or explore senior leadership pathways, ACT Government jobs remain highly desirable for professionals across every industry sector. With strong job security, structured development programs, hybrid work arrangements and a clear focus on public value, ACT Government roles attract high volumes of applications from local, interstate and national jobseekers.
Because Canberra is Australia’s public sector capital, the employment market is dominated by government roles across both the ACT Public Service (ACTPS) and the Australian Public Service (APS). As a result, recruitment standards are extremely high, and applicants must provide a strong, strategically written government resume, a compelling cover letter and evidence-based STAR examples to progress through shortlisting. A generic or outdated Australian resume will not perform well in this competitive environment, making it essential to prepare tailored documentation aligned to ACT Government expectations.
This guide provides everything you need to know about finding and applying for jobs Canberra, understanding ACTPS recruitment requirements, navigating public sector expectations and preparing job-winning government applications.
Canberra is unique in Australia. As the administrative centre of the country, it is home to national agencies, peak bodies, the Federal Parliament, the APS, research institutes, universities, cultural institutions and the ACT Public Service. This concentration of government operations generates thousands of opportunities across every job family, creating one of the strongest public sector employment markets in the country.
High-demand search terms include:
These searches continue to grow as professionals seek the stability and career progression available across ACT Government departments.
ACT Government jobs cover a diverse range of roles across all ACTPS directorates, including:
Popular job families include:
Whether you are early in your career or seeking senior-level employment, act government jobs offer a breadth of pathways unmatched in any other jurisdiction.
ACT Government recruitment is merit-based, heavily capability-driven and focused on demonstrated behavioural evidence. Hiring panels assess:
Because of these high expectations, a typical private-sector resume does not meet the required standard. Instead, applicants must prepare a strong, capability-aligned government resume or government CV that includes measurable achievements, STAR examples and public sector-relevant capabilities such as communication, problem solving, stakeholder engagement, risk awareness, teamwork and ethical decision-making.
Engaging a professional government resume writer or experienced resume services provider can significantly improve your chances of shortlisting, especially when applying for higher-level ACT roles.
There are several trusted platforms for locating jobs Canberra and ACT public sector roles:
The official portal for ACT Government roles. Updated regularly with roles across all directorates.
A major source for applicants transitioning from private to public sector employment.
Although different from ACT Government, many applicants apply across both systems.
Useful for niche, specialist or leadership roles.
Some agencies specialise in temporary and contract public sector placements.
Most ACT Government applications require:
✔ A tailored government resume
✔ A cover letter or pitch (usually 1–2 pages)
✔ Responses to selection criteria or capability statements
✔ Evidence of qualifications
✔ IDs, registrations or licences (for regulated roles)
Your documentation must be professionally written, concise, accurate and aligned with ACTPS expectations.
A strong public service resume tailored to ACT Government standards should include:
Summarise your background, experience, strengths and alignment with ACTPS values. Include keywords such as government resumes, public service resume, government CV, govt resume and resume services.
Aligned with the ACTPS Capability Framework.
Include:
Qualifications, certifications and professional development.
Security clearances, memberships, systems proficiency and relevant licences.
A polished, structured government resume significantly improves your competitiveness.
ACT Government selection criteria require STAR structure:
Provide context.
Explain your responsibility.
Detail what you did and the skills you applied.
Show measurable outcomes.
Use STAR in:
STAR examples should demonstrate capability in communication, teamwork, governance, service delivery, problem solving and stakeholder engagement.
To be competitive for jobs in Canberra ACT and public sector jobs Canberra, your resume must:
✔ Include ACT-relevant keywords
✔ Use clear, factual, professional language
✔ Highlight public sector experience or transferable skills
✔ Reflect ACTPS capability expectations
✔ Present measurable, outcome-driven achievements
✔ Demonstrate integrity, accountability and service commitment
A skilled government resume writer can tailor your resume to Canberra’s recruitment environment effectively.
ACTPS classifications typically include:
Higher classifications require stronger leadership, governance and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
Avoid:
A carefully tailored application communicates professionalism and commitment.
Pursuing ACT Government jobs or Canberra jobs is an excellent career move, offering strong growth pathways, job stability and the opportunity to contribute directly to public value in the ACT.
To succeed, you must prepare:
A high-quality government CV can be the deciding factor between being shortlisted or overlooked.
If you want to maximise your chances of securing interviews and job offers for ACT Government or Canberra public sector roles, contact Government Resumes for a professionally written ACT Government resume and application that is sure to secure an interview or job offer.