Once you have selected a job that sounds suitable:

• Download the job specific Information Pack;
• Carefully read the selection criteria, duty statement and any other information provided in the Information Pack;
• Consider whether Defence is an employer you would like to work for; and
• Phone the contact officer to discuss the position, the proposed selection process and the work environment.

Having done this, you should now decide whether the position really does suit you and if you are eligible to apply.

Eligibility

Conditions of Engagement

To be eligible to work at Defence, you MUST meet the following criteria:

• Be an Australian citizen;
• Provide specified documents to prove identity;
• Not have recently received a redundancy benefit from an Australian Public Service (APS) agency, the Australian Parliamentary Service or the Murray-Darling Basin Commission;
• Satisfy character and relevant security checks; and
• Meet the health standards for engagement.

Australian Citizenship

The Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act) requires that a person engaged as an employee must be an Australian citizen, unless the Agency Head has reason to waive this requirement. A waiver of this requirement would only be considered in exceptional circumstances. In Defence, the citizenship requirement for a security clearance takes precedence over the engagement requirement. This aspect of the security requirement makes the employment of persons who are not Australian citizens, in most instances, impracticable. To see if you meet our requirements click here.

For information about Australian citizenship as a condition of engagement to the APS, please click here for more information.

General information on Australian citizenship may be obtained from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Proof of Identity

Defence requires all successful applicants to provide sufficient information to provide proof of identity before they commence in the Department. For a list of acceptable forms of identification, please see the information provided in the Proof of Identity form.

Prior receipt of Redundancy Benefit

There are limitations on your engagement during what is called the "redundancy benefit period" if you have received a redundancy benefit from an Australian Public Service (APS) agency, the Australian Parliamentary Service or the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC). This is linked to the level of redundancy benefit received. During this period Defence can only offer you engagement with prior approval of the Public Service Commissioner and the Secretary of Defence.

Character and Security Checks

The Department of Defence will verify that you are of good character through character checks. These checks may involve:

• Checking police records for unspent criminal convictions or findings; and
• Confirming details given in your employment application (including employment history, employment references and educational qualifications).

In the event that the Department receives an adverse character check you may be assessed as unsuitable for employment, resulting in an offer of employment not progressing.

If you are selected for a designated security assessed position you will have to undergo and be granted a security clearance. If a clearance is not granted your employment in the position cannot be continued.

Health Assessment

Specific health standards for engagement (and for promotion to certain positions) must be met. Applicants for engagement are required to undergo a health assessment by Health for Industry medical staff to ensure their fitness for duty and to provide information where reasonable adjustment needs to be made for some employees.

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