Our recruitment process
1. Eligibility
To be eligible to work at Defence Housing Australia (DHA), you must:
- be an Australian citizen
- be able to obtain and maintain a minimum of baseline security clearance through the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).
2. Application
How can I apply?
There are two main entry pathways into DHA; applying directly for an advertised position, and registering your interest on the DHA temporary employment register.
The first step for both pathways is an online application.
Most online applications you will ask you to provide:
- your resume,
- details of two referees, and
- a written response telling us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job.
If your application is shortlisted, you may be invited to undertake an interview and/or other activities to assess your suitability for the role.
What should I include in my resume?
We want to know why you are right person for the job. Good applications make a positive impression and can lead to an interview or further assessment. Select the right job for you and prepare a strong (and accurate) application highlighting your skills, abilities and experience, and how they meet the requirements of the job. Your application will be assessed on the basis of merit.
The Australian Public Service Commission has a range of resources that can support you in understanding the process and applying for an APS job, including writing your application, your CV/ resume, addressing selection criteria, and using the STAR model. Read the full guidance on the APSC website:
Applying for an APS job: cracking the code.
3. Interviews and other assessment
The next step is an interview. You should answer interview questions using relevant work experiences, providing examples to substantiate your claims. The STAR model (Situation, Task, Actions, Results) is one example of how you could present your response
Interviews may be conducted in person, vitually on Microsoft Teams, or via a one-way online video system.
Depending on the role requirements, other assessments are may also be used , including written and psychometric testing.
4. Selection
Once we have completed assessment of all candidates, we will select the most suitable person for the role. We make all selection decisions based on merit, which means that:
- the assessment process is fair and consistent
- assessment is only based on things that are genuinely required for someone to perform the role
- we only consider information within the assessment process,
If you are selected as the successful candidate, we will contact you to discuss the role, salary, security clearances and start date. We will also ask you to complete new starter paperwork.
If you are not selected as the successful candidate, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t do the job, it just means that someone else was more suitable. Remember to ask for feedback to help you improve your chances in the future.
In some cases, when you are notified that you didn’t get the job you may be told that you have been placed on a merit list. This is great news as it means that you may be considered for the same, or similar, roles at DHA if they become available over the next 18 months.