Resources
November 26, 2025 - By Monique Thompson
The search for government employment in Australia continues to grow as candidates pursue stable, meaningful and well remunerated careers across state, territory and federal jurisdictions. Whether you are exploring ACT government jobs, applying for NSW government jobs, reviewing government jobs WA, or seeking opportunities across regional and local councils, understanding the public sector recruitment landscape is essential for success.
This guide brings together insights for applicants targeting government jobs, government local jobs, QLD government jobs, WA government jobs, federal government jobs, Australian Capital Territory government jobs, and related roles. By unpacking the structure, expectations and pathways across multiple jurisdictions, you can position yourself competitively within the public sector.
1. Understanding the Landscape of Government Jobs in Australia
Government employment spans three distinct levels:
Federal Government Jobs
These roles sit within the Australian Public Service, covering major agencies such as Services Australia, Department of Home Affairs, Attorney-General’s Department, ATO and Defence. Search volumes show consistently strong interest in federal government jobs and federal government job postings, reflecting demand for policy, compliance, administrative, governance and operational roles.
State and Territory Government Jobs
This includes NSW government jobs, ACT government jobs, QLD government jobs, WA government jobs, Victorian government jobs, and the wider range of roles found across SA, NT and Tasmania. Each jurisdiction has distinct capability frameworks, recruitment portals and assessment methodologies.
Local Government Jobs
Local councils across Australia recruit for roles in infrastructure, community services, environmental management, planning, governance, libraries and administration. High-value searches such as government local jobs and local government jobs indicate ongoing demand at council level.
2. Why Government Jobs Remain Highly Competitive
Across Australia, thousands of candidates search for public sector roles every month, reflected in high-traffic terms such as:
Candidates are drawn to job security, structured career progression, flexible arrangements and attractive conditions, including defined salary bands and strong leave entitlements.
However, a government job is not secured through a résumé alone. Applicants must understand selection criteria, merit-based assessment, behavioural frameworks and capability evidence that government panels expect.
3. ACT Government Jobs and Australian Capital Territory Opportunities
Search terms such as ACT government jobs, ACT jobs government, and Australian Capital Territory government jobs show that the ACT remains a major employment hub due to its proximity to federal agencies.
ACT Government recruits across:
Transport Canberra and City Services
Education Directorate
Health Directorate
Justice and Community Safety
Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development
Roles span policy, program delivery, infrastructure, governance, occupational health and community-focused services.
4. NSW Government Jobs: One of Australia’s Largest Public Sector Employers
High-value keywords like NSW government jobs, government jobs NSW, new south wales state government jobs, NSW government job, and government jobs in NSW indicate widespread competition for roles across:
Transport for NSW
Department of Education
NSW Health
Communities and Justice
Revenue NSW
The NSW Public Sector Capability Framework underpins behavioural expectations for all applications. This means your résumé and cover letter should be tailored explicitly to its capability domains.
5. WA Government Jobs: Expanding Across Metropolitan and Regional Locations
Interest in government jobs WA, WA government jobs, government jobs WA Australia, and Perth government jobs continues to grow as candidates seek secure, well-paid and community-focused roles. Western Australia offers a broad variety of opportunities across metropolitan Perth, Pilbara, Kimberley, South West and regional centres.
Key employers and job streams include:
• WA Health, one of the state’s largest employers, offering roles in nursing, allied health, administration, mental health, ICT, governance, and public health.
• Department of Communities, with career pathways in housing, child protection, disability services, social services, strategy, and corporate governance.
• Main Roads WA, providing roles in engineering, project management, road safety, asset management, environmental management and corporate services.
• Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS), known for regulatory and compliance roles, WHS inspectors, investigators, policy officers, licensing teams and technical advisors.
• Local governments across Perth, Pilbara and regional WA, including councils in Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome, Bunbury, Albany and Busselton, offering jobs in planning, community development, environmental health, engineering, finance, governance, and ranger services.
WA remains a strong market for applicants with backgrounds in administration, policy, HR, finance, ICT, engineering, trades, health, governance, safety, emergency management and community engagement. Many departments also offer graduate programs, school-leaver pathways and entry level government jobs for candidates new to the sector.
Contact Government Resumes if you would like expert assistance crafting a high impact, interview winning government resume, cover letter or selection criteria response that aligns with the expectations of Australian, state and local government recruitment panels. Our specialist writers ensure every document is compelling, capability aligned and strategically positioned to maximise your success.