Top tips for your next local government application

Are you planning to submit a local government application?

Whether in administration, or marketing and communications, there are various jobs available at local councils all over Australia.

However, with requirements varying for each position and each council, navigating the application process can be challenging.

So, what are some tips when applying for a local government role?

Tips for applying for preparing a local government application

Do your research

Before you start writing an application, thoroughly research both the position and the council you’re applying to. Familiarise yourself with the council’s values, community priorities and current projects.

This allows you to tailor your application to the council’s goals.

Tailor your application to the selection criteria

Many local councils will require you to address selection criteria in your application.

The importance of selection criteria in the local government recruitment process should not be underestimated. Selection Criteria are designed to outline the qualities, knowledge and skills required to perform the position. They help recruiters to identify the most accurate match between the requirements of a position and the skills of an applicant.

Depending on the requirements of the job description, these responses may be provided as part of your cover letter or included as part of a separate application.

Importantly, you must respond to all selection criteria that are included in the job description. If you don’t do so, it is unlikely your application will progress further.

When responding to local government selection criteria, you should include examples that demonstrate how you meet each criterion.

Each example you provide should be structured according to the STAR method. It consists of:
• Situation: Describe the context or problem you faced
• Task: Explain your responsibility in that situation
• Action: Detail the steps you took to address the action

To help you decide which examples to include, carefully study each criterion. Highlight any keywords they include.
You should provide selection criteria responses in around two or three paragraphs.

Highlight relevant skills and experiences

Local government roles vary wildly in terms of the skills and experience required. You should focus on your skills and experience that are most relevant to the role you are applying for. Identify key requirements listed and ensure your application highlights your ability to meet them.

Include quantifiable achievements

You should try to back any claims you make up with measurable results. This provides concrete evidence of the impact you provide.

Other tips

• Tailor your resume and cover letter for each role: You should avoid submitting generic copies of your resume or cover letter for multiple roles.
• Ask someone with a fresh perspective to proofread your application: Be careful to ensure your application does not include typos or formatting errors
• Follow submission guidelines: Submission guidelines will vary between councils so it is essential you pay close attention to these. For example, take note if there is a page number limit for your resume and cover letter. Also consider whether your application must be submitted in a particular file format, such as PDF or Word.
• Make sure your resume and cover letter do not include outdated or irrelevant information.
• Submit your application well before the deadline to avoid last minute issues.

Importantly, requirements may vary greatly depending on which council you apply for. Therefore, you should check the requirements of the job description before applying for each role.

Applying for local government roles isn’t always easy.

Selection Criteria Writers is pleased to offer services tailored to those applying for local government roles, including our resume writing service and interview skills training.

Article References

Careers At Council (19 December 2024) ‘10 tips for writing an effective CV and cover letter’, Careers At Council, accessed 12 June 2025.

Stonnington Council (n.d) ‘Local government employment application tool’, Stonnington Council, accessed 12 June 2025.