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November 29, 2025 - By Monique Thompson
Applying for a Queensland Government role requires a strategic, structured and evidence-based approach. Unlike private sector recruitment, QLD Government applications focus heavily on capability demonstration, behavioural evidence, public sector values, and alignment with the Leadership Competencies for Queensland. To be shortlisted, applicants must provide clear, concise and measurable examples that show how they meet the expectations of the role. Whether you are applying for an AO3 administrative position, an AO6 policy role, an AO8 leadership position, or a specialist technical role within a Queensland Government department, the standard of applications is consistently high. This makes it essential to understand how to prepare a compelling and compliant application package that includes a targeted Queensland Government resume, a persuasive cover letter, and a well-structured response to the selection criteria or key capabilities.
In this guide, you will learn exactly how to prepare a strong QLD Government application that reflects public sector expectations and significantly increases your chance of being shortlisted.
Before writing your application, it is important to understand how Queensland Government recruitment works. Most roles require the following components:
This must align with public sector standards, including measurable achievements, STAR-style evidence, and relevant keywords.
This outlines your motivation, capability alignment, and value proposition for the role.
This is the most important part of your application. It must use full STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) examples.
Depending on the role, this may include:
Understanding these requirements helps you structure your application clearly and confidently.
Almost all QLD Government positions reference the Leadership Competencies for Queensland (LCQ), which apply from entry-level positions through to senior executives.
These competencies fall under three broad domains:
Even if you are applying for an AO3 or AO4 role, the panel will assess you against these behavioural attributes. This means your resume and examples must demonstrate:
Understanding these competencies helps you frame your experience more effectively and select the strongest STAR examples.
A strong Queensland Government resume must be tailored to public sector expectations. It is different from a private sector resume in formatting, content and focus.
Below is the structure preferred by most Queensland Government hiring managers and recruitment panels.
A concise overview summarising:
Use keywords such as:
These should align directly with the LCQ, such as:
For each role, include:
STAR achievements demonstrate:
Example:
Assessed workflow gaps within a regional service coordination team, collaborated with senior staff to redesign reporting processes, and implemented new documentation tools that reduced processing delays by 32 percent and strengthened compliance with departmental standards.
Include:
Such as:
A well-structured Queensland Government resume positions you strongly for shortlisting and helps the panel understand your capability quickly.
The cover letter must be:
Briefly outline:
Identify the role’s key responsibilities and highlight your experience in:
Use keywords from the role description.
Select one or two examples demonstrating your performance. These examples should later be expanded in your selection criteria responses.
Reaffirm your suitability and include:
“Find attached my resume for your consideration.”
Then thank the panel for reviewing your application.
This is the most important part of your application. Queensland Government roles often request a 1–2 page statement addressing:
Regardless of wording, it requires STAR methodology.
For example:
Understanding the behavioural expectation helps you choose relevant examples.
Each STAR example should be:
Example:
S: In my role as Administration Officer, the regional office experienced delays in processing incoming enquiries.
T: I was tasked with analysing workflow issues and proposing improvements.
A: I reviewed process logs, implemented new triage methods, and trained staff on updated procedures.
R: As a result, enquiry processing times reduced by 40 percent and the team met all monthly performance targets for the first time in a year.
If the role asks for:
Each must be addressed individually with strong evidence.
Avoid:
The Queensland Government wants clarity, accuracy and demonstrated capability.
The strongest examples are:
Strong examples include:
Avoid examples where you were only observing or supporting passively.
Government panels prefer:
Your application must be easy to read, professionally presented and compliant with the instructions in the job advertisement.
Shortlisting is based on:
Your resume and statement must clearly show you meet the role’s expectations.
Panels look for:
Formatting errors or unclear writing can disadvantage your application.
Even if you come from the private sector, you must demonstrate public sector capability such as:
These include:
Before submitting your Queensland Government application, ensure you have:
✔ A professionally formatted Queensland Government resume
✔ A targeted cover letter addressing motivation and suitability
✔ A strong 1–2 page statement addressing the key capabilities
✔ STAR examples that are factual, measurable and relevant
✔ A clear understanding of the Leadership Competencies for Queensland
✔ Proofread for accuracy, clarity and grammar
✔ Tailored content for the department and role
✔ The correct file format (usually PDF)
This increases your chance of progressing to the interview stage.
Conclusion: A Well-Crafted QLD Government Application Will Set You Apart
Writing a Queensland Government application requires strategy, capability alignment and strong evidence of your achievements. A general resume or generic cover letter is not enough to secure a shortlist in such a competitive environment.
By aligning your application with the Leadership Competencies for Queensland, using STAR methodology effectively, structuring your documents professionally, and demonstrating clear public sector value, you significantly improve your chances of progressing in the recruitment process.
If you require support with a professionally written Queensland Government resume, tailored cover letter, or selection criteria statement, Government Resumes can assist with expert guidance, evidence-based writing and interview coaching to help you secure your next role in the Queensland public sector.