Applying for a Queensland Government role is not like sending in a private-sector CV. The state’s public sector has its own expectations for format, length, and content, as well as a strong focus on the Leadership Competencies for Queensland (LC4Q).
Below we answer the most common questions job seekers ask when preparing their QLD Government resume.
Do I Have to Use the Queensland Government Resume Template?
No. The QLD Government provides a recommended resume template on the SmartJobs website, but you are not required to use it. Many applicants prefer a customised, professionally designed format that still meets the guidelines – something like this works well. The key is to ensure your resume is clear, structured, and easy for recruiters to scan, while keeping all the essential details the government expects.
How Long Should My Resume Be for an AO-Level Role?
For AO3–AO5 roles, aim for 2–3 pages. For AO6 and above, it’s common to see 3–4 pages, especially when you’re showcasing complex projects or leadership experience. Length is less important than relevance — avoid padding your resume with unrelated details.
Should I Include a Professional Summary?
Yes. A concise professional summary (3–5 sentences) at the top of your resume gives context to your experience and signals how you meet the role requirements. You should aim to highlight:
- Your current role or most relevant experience
- Key skills or areas of expertise
- A line on your alignment with QLD Government values and LC4Q behaviours
Should I Use Bullet Points or Paragraphs for Achievements?
Use bullet points for clarity and scanability. Each point should start with a strong action verb and ideally include a measurable outcome (e.g., “Delivered a departmental project three weeks ahead of schedule, saving $50k in budgeted costs”).
How Do I Show LC4Q Behaviours in My Resume?
The Leadership Competencies for Queensland are core to many QLD Government roles, especially AO6 and above.
You can:
- Weave them into your achievement statements
Example: “Led cross-team collaboration (Supports productive working relationships) to deliver a new service model.” - Match STAR examples to LC4Q wording
Even in your resume (not just selection criteria), you can adapt examples to reflect behaviours like “Leads Strategically” or “Drives Accountability”. - Avoid a separate LC4Q section unless the PD explicitly asks for it, since integration feels more natural.
Should I Copy Key Duties from the PD Into My Resume?
Not word for word. Instead, mirror the language of the position description in your achievement statements.
This helps with keyword relevance (for both ATS and human readers) without looking like copy-paste filler.
Do Queensland Recruiters Use ATS?
Yes, many agencies use Applicant Tracking Systems.
That’s why it’s important to:
- Use the exact job title from the advertisement
- Include relevant keywords from the PD
- Avoid over-designed templates with columns, tables, or graphics that can confuse ATS
Should My Resume Address ‘Key Accountabilities’ or Just the Selection Criteria?
Both. While your selection criteria response is where you go into STAR detail, your resume should still demonstrate capability in each key accountability through brief achievement examples.
If I Have a Separate Selection Criteria Document, Should My Resume Still Use STAR Format?
Yes — but keep it concise. Think of STAR in the resume as “mini-STAR”:
- Situation & Task in 1 sentence
- Action in 1 sentence
- Result in 1 sentence
Where Do Referee Details Go?
Unless the SmartJobs application form asks for them separately, you can include referees at the end of your resume. Note however it’s also acceptable to simply state “Referees available on request”.
How Do I Adjust My Resume for Moving From AO4 to AO6?
Show:
- Scope of work beyond your classification
- Acting/higher duties experience
- Examples of strategic thinking, influencing, and cross-department collaboration
Recruiters want proof you’ve already demonstrated AO6-level behaviours.
Do I Need to List Every Temporary Contract Separately?
If your contracts were with the same department and in similar roles, group them under one heading.
This keeps your resume cleaner while still showing your full experience.
Should I Explain Departmental Restructures?
Yes, but keep it brief.
If your role title or department name has changed due to a restructure, note it in brackets (e.g., Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy — formerly Department of Housing).
Should I Include My Blue Card or Other Background Checks?
If the role requires a Working with Children Check (Blue Card), criminal history clearance, or other specific checks, it’s smart to mention it on your resume under a “Licences & Clearances” section.
Example:
- Working with Children Check (Blue Card) – Current
- National Police Check – Cleared (2024)
This shows you meet mandatory compliance requirements without recruiters having to chase you.
Should I List All Training and Professional Development?
Focus on recent and relevant training from the past 5 years.
Include courses, workshops, or certifications that align with the position description, especially those tied to government systems, policy, or leadership.
Irrelevant or outdated training can make your resume look cluttered.
Do I Need to Include Employment Separation Dates for Past QLD Government Roles?
Not unless the application form specifically asks for it. In most cases, just list month/year to month/year for each role.
If you left a department due to restructure or contract completion, you can note this briefly in brackets.
How Do I Show Acting or Higher Duties Experience?
List acting periods clearly under the main role entry so they’re visible without looking inflated.
Example:
Senior Project Officer (Acting AO6) — Jan 2024 to Mar 2024
Undertook higher duties to lead the implementation of a cross-agency reporting system, delivering outcomes ahead of schedule.
This highlights capability without overstating your substantive role.
Should I Include My Citizenship or Residency Status?
If you are not an Australian citizen, and the role specifies eligibility requirements, include your status (e.g., Permanent Resident, Visa type).
If you are a citizen, this is optional unless the job ad asks for it.
Some applicants choose to include it in a “Additional Information” section to remove any doubt about eligibility.
Final Word
Your Queensland Government resume needs to do three things:
- Be clear and relevant — tailored to the position description.
- Show alignment with LC4Q behaviours — integrated naturally into your career history.
- Make it easy to shortlist you — use keywords, strong action verbs, and measurable results.
Get these right, and you’ll stand out in a competitive field.
Do you need professional help developing a strong Queensland government resume? Contact our team of experienced writers.
