Guidelines & eligibility

Information for Job Applicants

The Australian Human Rights Commission values inclusivity and diversity and seeks to employ people who will support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, carers, LGBTQI+ people and people with disability.

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment.

Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in our recruitment process. We can provide information in alternative formats on request.

Selection for Commission vacancies is based on merit. An assessment is made of the relative suitability of applicants using a competitive selection process. This usually involves a job application, interview and referee's report. Interviews may include a short practical exercise.

Conditions of employment

The Australian Human Rights Commission Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 outlines conditions of service for employees. It is also available in PDF format [1.1MB]

Find out more information on Life at the Commission and our workplace culture and pathways.

Lodging your application

Applications must be received by 5.00pm AEST on the closing date. The selection committee is under no obligation to accept late applications.

Applications should be submitted via our online application portal by selecting the 'apply online' option available on each job vacancy.

If you are unable to lodge your application through the online application portal, please send your application to:

Manager, Human Resources Australian Human Rights Commission GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001

Or via email to jobs@humanrights.gov.au.

The Commission acknowledges all applications electronically on receipt. If you have not received an acknowledgement after submitting your application, please contact Human Resources promptly on (02) 9284-9600 or via email to jobs@humanrights.gov.au, to ensure that the Commission has received your application.

Applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date to advise the date and time of the interview.

Reasonable adjustment can be made available for applicants with disabilities at any stage of the process.

To those applicants who are not shortlisted, we extend our thanks for considering the Commission as a potential employer.

Email enquiries on recruitment matters can be sent to humanresources@humanrights.gov.au.

Eligibility Criteria

All ongoing positions are generally open to all Australians. Australian citizenship is a usual requirement of engagement unless waived by the Agency Head.

There are restrictions on employment of people who have, within the previous 12 months, accepted a redundancy benefit from an APS agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer.

More detailed general information on eligibility requirements is contained in the Commonwealth of Australia Public Service Gazette.

Application Guidelines

The primary function of your job application is to provide sufficient information about your skills, knowledge and experience to allow the Selection Committee to assess your suitability for the position and, if interviews are being conducted, whether you should be interviewed for the position.

Applications should contain the following information -

Personal details

Please provide your contact details and current employment details via our online recruitment portal.

Resume

This should outline your previous work history in chronological order, together with a brief description of the duties associated with the positions you have held. It should also outline your education and training and be no longer than two or three pages.

Cover letter

Please attach a cover letter that outlines your specific interest in the position and for working with the Commission. The information you provide will assist us to determine whether your skills, knowledge and experience are the right fit for the position, so be accurate, succinct and show a clear connection with the selection criteria for the role. There is no longer a requirement to address each selection criterion separately. On occasion, we may ask candidates to respond to 1-2 questions which are intended to assist us to distinguish between candidates.

Referees

Please provide the name and contact details of at least two people who have agreed to act as a referee for your application. One of these people should be your current supervisor. You should advise your referees that they might be contacted and asked for either verbal or written comments on your work performance in relation to the selection criteria.

More Information

Applicants may also find the following guide produced by the Australian Public Service Commission useful Cracking the Code: How to apply for jobs in the Australian Public Service. The guide provides a series of fact sheets with information and tips to help you understand what types of jobs are available in the Australian Public Service, where to find them and how to apply.

Internships, Graduates and Volunteers

• Interns: Intakes are advertised on our website. Please refer to the Jobs - Current vacancies page for further information about the program and associated dates.
• Graduates: The Commission does not have a formal Graduate Program, however graduates are encouraged to apply for positions vacant at the Commission.
• Volunteers: For insurance reasons, the Commission is not able to employ people on a voluntary basis. People wishing to volunteer for human rights organisations may wish to contact agencies such as non-government organisations (NGO's) or other community groups.