May 12, 2026 - By Monique Thompson

Free Government Resume, Selection Criteria & Cover Letter Samples (PDF)

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If you are preparing an Australian Public Service, state or local government application, the fastest way to lift the standard of your writing is to see what a strong application actually looks like. This free sample pack brings together professionally written government resumes, selection criteria responses and cover letters in a single 65-page PDF, prepared by the team at Government Résumés from real client work (names and identifying details changed).

  Download the Free Sample Pack — PDF (65 pages)

What is inside the sample pack

• Government resume samples — formatted to Australian public sector expectations, with capability-focused profiles, achievement-led work history and the qualifications, tickets and clearances sections that recruiters look for.
• Selection criteria and STAR examples — worked responses showing how to structure Situation, Task, Action and Result against capability frameworks such as the APS Work Level Standards and the NSW, WA, VPS, ACT and Queensland frameworks.
• Government cover letters — one and two-page examples that open strongly, address the role, and connect your experience to the selection criteria without simply repeating your resume.
• Pitch and statement-of-claims examples — for the increasingly common one and two-page applications that replace separate criteria responses.

How to use these samples

Do not copy them — selection panels read hundreds of applications and recycled wording is obvious. Use the samples to understand structure, tone and evidence: how achievements are quantified, how STAR examples stay concise, how a profile is written for a human reader and an applicant tracking system at the same time, and how much detail belongs in a resume versus a separate criteria document. Then write your own application, in your own voice, against the specific role you are targeting.

Why government applications are different

Public sector recruitment is merit-based and evidence-driven. Unlike a private-sector CV, a government application has to demonstrate capability against a published framework, show genuine understanding of governance, compliance and service delivery, and back every claim with a specific example. Photos, personal details and decorative formatting are not used. The samples in this pack reflect those expectations across ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA and Commonwealth roles.

Want yours written by a specialist?

Government Résumés has been writing public sector applications since 1995. Every document is custom-written to your target role, selection criteria and capability requirements — never a template fill. If you would like expert help with a resume, selection criteria, cover letter or interview preparation, take a look at our packages or get in touch with our writing team.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the sample pack really free?
Yes — it is a free PDF download, with no email signup required.

Can I use these as templates for my own application?
Use them as a guide to structure and tone. Copying wording is not recommended — panels notice, and your application needs to reflect your own experience and the specific role.

Do you cover state and territory governments as well as the APS?
Yes — the pack and our writing services cover Commonwealth (APS), ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC and WA government roles.

  Download the Free Sample Pack — PDF (65 pages)