How to write a job advertisement

The directive relating to recruitment and selection sets out the information you must include in your job ad. Your agency decides whether you need to include this in the job ad itself or in an attachment such as the role description.

Short description

Your job must have a short description. Sell the role to your potential candidates. Use short, sharp sentences, or provide a couple of dot points. Highlight the key features of the role. How well you do this will determine whether potential candidates view your job ad.

Job ad

Your job ad should build on the information you provide in the short description. Provide more detail about the purpose and functions of the role and work unit. Tell your potential candidates what they'll be doing, and the skills needed. Make it conversational in tone. Do not provide an extensive list of key tasks.

For experience and qualifications, make sure you’re realistic and inclusive. Don’t ask for extensive experience for a mid-level role. Don’t ask for experience that limits your potential candidates to government employees.

Under Chapter 2 of the Public Sector Act 2022, equity, diversity, respect and inclusion should be demonstrated in recruitment and selection processes when deciding the eligible person best suited to the position, including during the job advertisement stage. HR practitioners and hiring managers should:

• consider how the job advertisement demonstrates your agency’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion and cultural safety
• where relevant, describe how a person may be able to contribute to the agency’s equity, diversity, respect and inclusion obligations
• give applicants confidence to self-identify their attributes throughout a process, including at the job advertisement stage
• for identified roles, describe the mandatory attribute/s applicants must possess, and any required evidence of the attribute/s.

Add an image or video

Use images and videos in your job advertisement to help attract candidates.

Get your job ad approved

Speak to your HR team for further information and to find out how to get your job ad approved.