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State and Territory Government Jobs in Australia: Where to Search and How to Apply
Where to find state and territory government jobs in Australia, from I Work for NSW and Careers Vic to Smart Jobs Queensland and WA Government Jobs, plus tips on alerts, applications and safety.
State and territory governments are among the biggest employers in Australia. They run public hospitals, schools, transport networks, corrections, national parks and many community services, and they hire for practical roles as well as office jobs: patient support, cleaning, drivers, security, administration, call centres and more. Each state and territory advertises on its own official site, separate from the federal APSJobs.
The official sites
The myGov "find and apply for jobs" page links to every state and territory jobs site. These are the main ones:
- New South Wales: I Work for NSW, where you can search by keyword or reference number and browse by category and location. Some agencies, such as Transport for NSW, also run their own portals.
- Victoria: Careers Vic, which lets you search by keywords, job title or reference number, salary range and location across the Victorian public sector.
- Queensland: Smart Jobs and Careers, the Queensland Government jobs search.
- Western Australia: WA Government Jobs, with searches by job category and by region, from the Kimberley and Pilbara to the South West.
- South Australia: I Work for SA, which has a register-for-job-alerts option plus pages on graduates and trainees.
- Tasmania: Tasmanian Government Jobs, searchable by position type, agency and region.
- ACT: ACT Government Jobs, which advertises permanent, temporary and casual roles and offers opportunity alerts.
- Northern Territory: Employment Opportunities Online, the NT Government's jobs site.
Who it suits
State government jobs suit people who value set pay scales, clear leave entitlements and structured training. They are worth checking if you:
- want hospital, school or community roles that do not need a degree, such as support, cleaning or administration
- live in a regional area where the local hospital, schools and transport services are major employers
- are looking for traineeships or graduate programs, which several states advertise on the same sites
How to search well
- Search by job type, not job title alone. Government titles can be formal ("Patient Support Assistant", "Administrative Officer"), so try a few words.
- Use classification codes. The NT site notes that searching a code such as AO3 finds vacancies at that level. Other states use their own grades, shown in each ad.
- Filter by region if you want to stay close to home.
- Register for alerts on the sites that offer them, so new roles reach your inbox.
How to apply
Government applications usually follow a set format, but it is not the same everywhere. The NT, for example, limits applications to a one-page summary with an attached resumé and does not ask you to address each selection criterion separately. Other states may ask for a cover letter or answers to a few questions. In every case:
- read the role description and the "how to apply" section carefully
- give short, concrete examples of when you have done the tasks listed
- mention any checks or licences the role asks for, such as a Working with Children Check, a driver licence or a police check
- submit before the closing date, as late applications are rarely accepted
Staying safe
Real government vacancies appear on these official sites, often also on SEEK or Indeed. Never pay a fee to apply, and be wary of anyone offering to "guarantee" a government job for a fee. Scamwatch warns that scammers impersonate well-known organisations. If you see an ad elsewhere, find the same reference number on the official state site before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between APSJobs and state government jobs?
APSJobs covers the federal Australian Public Service. Hospitals, public schools, state transport, police support and many other services are run by state and territory governments, which advertise on their own jobs sites.
Do I need to be an Australian citizen to work for a state government?
Rules differ by state and by role. The ACT, for example, accepts Australian citizens, permanent residents and people with a valid work visa for many roles. Always check the eligibility section of each ad.
Are state government jobs only in capital cities?
No. Health services, schools, roads and parks are spread across regional areas, and sites such as WA Government Jobs let you search by region.
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Sources
Disclaimer: This guide is general information only and may not fit your situation or country. Rules, prices and requirements change, so check the details with the official source or a qualified professional before you act. Read our full disclaimer.