Everyone talks about how hard it is to get a government job.
The long applications. The rules. The waiting. The feeling that every word in your cover letter has to do three jobs at once.
But there’s another side: Government recruitment is hard behind the scenes too.
It’s not just putting up a job ad and choosing the person who looks best on paper. There are panels, policies, checks, merit principles, compliance requirements, and a lot of careful judgement involved. Every decision needs to be fair. Every step needs to be defensible. And the person who gets the job has to be the right fit, not just for the team, but for the public they’re there to serve.
If you’ve worked in HR or recruitment, you already know this kind of pressure. The details and process matter. And the paperwork definitely matters.
Right now, there are government HR and recruitment roles open across NSW at almost every level, from recruitment support through to senior people and culture leadership. ICAC, the Sydney Opera House, NSW SES, and other major public sector organisations are hiring.
So if you’ve been thinking about moving into government HR, or taking the next step in your recruitment career, this roundup is worth a look.
It covers roles across recruitment, HR advisory, industrial relations, workers compensation, occupational health, people and culture, and professional standards.
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Table of contents
- Human Resources Advisor
- Human Resources Business Partner
- Senior Manager People & Culture
- Occupational Health Advisor
- Workers Compensation Officer
- Senior Professional Standards Case Manager, Clerk Grade 9/10
- Recruitment Support Officer
- Advisor Industrial Relations
- Assistant Advisor – Administrative Officer Level 6
- Recruitment and Membership Officer – Talent Pool Creation, Clerk Grade 3/4
Human Resources Advisor
Multiple opportunities
View the job ad | Read our full guide
Provide a broad range of Human Resources (HR) services and advice throughout the employee lifecycle, including but not limited to payroll, recruitment, induction and exit processes, employee conditions and responsibilities, learning and performance development, with a focus on delivering efficient, compliant and people-centred HR outcomes to support the Commission’s strategic and operational objectives. Operates within a customer focused, collaborative and multi-functional team, and all team members assist with the section’s various responsibilities as required. This position operates across all Divisions of the Commission.
- Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources and/or professional experience in payroll, recruitment and other human resources functions.
- Substantial experience in end-to-end payroll administration using an HRIS, including operational understanding of PAYG and superannuation legislative obligations; experience with AURION is advantageous.
- Experience interpreting and applying Award, legislation and HR policy frameworks in the provision of services and advice to managers and staff.
- Demonstrated high-level organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines, as well as strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Knowledge of NSW public sector conditions of employment and relevant legislation and procedures is well regarded.
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders including team members, senior leaders, managers and staff.
- Australian citizens, permanent residents or valid visa holders.
Human Resources Business Partner
Multiple opportunities
View the job ad | Read our full guide
An experienced and pragmatic HR Business Partner is sought to provide high quality HR advice and support across a broad range of people matters, working closely with senior leaders, managers and employees. The role supports leaders to deliver strategic and operational people outcomes, influences decision-making, partners closely with leaders, contributes to organisational initiatives, aligns people strategies with business objectives, drives performance, fosters a positive workplace culture, supports organisational change initiatives and workforce planning, and provides advisory support across the organisation.
- Experienced and pragmatic.
- Partnering with leaders to provide strategic and operational HR advice.
- Experience in managing high volume HR case management and complex employee relations matters, including performance, conduct, grievances and other people matters.
- Sound decision-making capability weighing up multiple competing internal and external factors to ensure organisation risk is minimised and regulatory compliance achieved.
- Experience in managing the development and implementation of a range of HR initiatives designed to improve organisational effectiveness.
- Ability to build effective business partnering relationships.
- Supporting organisational change initiatives and workforce planning.
- Well-developed interpersonal, facilitation, influencing, negotiation, coaching, networking and relationship management skills.
- A valid WWCC clearance.
- Existing Australian work rights.
- Satisfactory National Police Check.
- Pre-Employment Health Assessment.
Senior Manager People & Culture
View the job ad | Read our full guide
Strategic oversight of the delivery of divisional people and workforce development initiatives, risk management, and leadership capability uplift enabling consistent, high-quality people and workforce services; lead the delivery of divisional people strategy and workforce development initiatives, ensuring alignment with business priorities and enterprise frameworks working in a matrix way with delivery and enabling partners; accountable for leading a People & Culture Partnering team, overseeing the implementation of a range of People & Culture initiatives and ensuring best practice divisional case management.
- Tertiary qualified in a relevant field (e.g. Human Resources, Capability Development) or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated experience across the full spectrum of People and Culture disciplines, including experience in a HR leadership role.
- Demonstrated leadership and management capabilities, including the ability to lead, influence, promote and motivate highly skilled staff and teams to deliver desired outcomes.
- Experience delegating and supervising work done by others.
- Experience creating a motivating environment where the team is driven to achieve outcomes in a professional and ethical manner.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced and dynamic environment where delivery on tight deadlines is critical.
- Self-starter.
- Know how to build strong relationships, collaborate and influence others to drive outcomes.
- Team player with excellent communication skills.
- Solid experience operating in a complex customer centric, matrix environment.
Occupational Health Advisor
Multiple opportunities
View the job ad | Read our full guide
Develop and implement a range of health assessment, promotion and monitoring programs, identify and monitor emerging health issues and assist in the development of strategies, policies and procedures to promote the health of staff in accordance with FRNSW requirements.
- Current knowledge of and demonstrated experience in health risk promotion, assessment, surveillance, and monitoring.
- Experience in review of medical histories and documentation.
- Tertiary qualifications in Nursing or allied health with relevant clinical experience.
- Current drivers license.
Workers Compensation Officer
Multiple opportunities
View the job ad | Read our full guide
Provide specialist administrative and financial support to the Business Unit, with a strong focus on the accurate calculation, submission and reconciliation of workers compensation wage reimbursements. The role is responsible for ensuring data integrity, correct application of entitlements, and maintaining accurate records in line with FRNSW procedures.
- Demonstrated experience in administrative, financial or data processing roles, ideally involving high-volume or complex calculations.
- Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail, with experience maintaining accurate records, reconciling discrepancies and working across multiple systems (e.g. payroll, finance or claims systems).
- Workers compensation experience or knowledge is desirable but not essential.
- Demonstrated experience in a role requiring high levels of numerical accuracy and data integrity.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work with complex calculations.
Senior Professional Standards Case Manager, Clerk Grade 9/10
Multiple opportunities
View the job ad | Read our full guide
The Senior Professional Standards Case Manager handles conflict, conduct, and complaints to foster a positive workplace culture and supports the development of effective complaints management within the NSW SES. The role leads the provision of expert advice on people matters, professional standards policies and procedures, performance management, disciplinary matters and other professional standards initiatives to foster an ethical culture across the NSW SES and to embed a positive member experience and values-led culture.
- Demonstrated experience in managing workplace complaints, preferably in the NSW Government sector or other large, diverse and unionised sectors, or tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline such as law or human resources and/or demonstrated relevant professional experience.
- Demonstrated experience in the provision of workplace relations / industrial relations advice and negotiations, preferably in the NSW Government sector and conducting cases before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission or other tribunals such as the Fair Work Commission.
Recruitment Support Officer
Multiple opportunities
View the job ad | Read our full guide
Provide high‑quality, customer‑focused recruitment and HR transactional support across a state‑wide organisation; support hiring managers and Recruitment and Workforce Business Partners by delivering efficient and accurate administrative support throughout the recruitment process; be part of a collaborative HR Support Services team contributing to the smooth delivery of recruitment services in a high‑volume, fast‑paced healthcare environment; support hiring managers across NSW Health Pathology to meet their key recruitment responsibilities; provide administrative and transactional support across the HR Support Services portfolio; respond to recruitment‑related enquiries and assist with day-to-day recruitment and HR transactions; build and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels of the organisation, as well as external stakeholders; assist with recruitment processes in line with relevant awards, policies and procedures.
- Experience working in a customer‑focused or recruitment support environment.
- Strong administrative skills.
- A high level of attention to detail.
- Manage competing priorities.
- Meet deadlines in a high‑volume setting.
- Communicate clearly with a range of stakeholders.
- Proactive team player.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Confidence using office systems and databases.
- You must have valid working rights in Australia for the duration of the appointment to be eligible to apply.
- All workers must meet NSW Health’s vaccination and screening requirements before starting employment.
- The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a functional assessment prior to appointment.
Advisor Industrial Relations
Multiple opportunities
View the job ad | Read our full guide
Provide interpretation and application of industrial awards and instruments and provide tailored advice to a wide range of stakeholders and agencies operating under different legal instruments. Play a key role in advocacy, negotiation and change advice for restructure management plans. Advocate for the Department at the Industrial Relations Commission, preparing necessary documentation and liaising with legal representatives to ensure compliance and effective representation. Conduct activities including interpretation and application of industrial instruments, research on emerging case law and legislative reforms impacting government sector employment, advocacy and negotiation on matters relating to individuals and that have Department wide impact. Liaise with Union Industrial Officers, assist with award and policy negotiation, dispute resolution and entitlement determination. Provide tactical and operational advice on industrial relations issues and engage with industrial stakeholders to deliver accurate, relevant and timely advice to support planning and decision making. Provide assistance and work closely with Senior Advisors Industrial Relations and Principal Industrial Relations. Undertake advocacy work, assist with and represent the Department at the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC), including preparing and filing relevant documents with courts and commissions or providing instructions to engaged legal representatives to ensure matters progress in accordance with court requirements and timeframes.
- Knowledge and understanding of applicable industrial and employment law, with experience in managing workplace complaints, conflict resolution, disciplinary matters, including representations in Industrial Relations Commission or Fair Work Commission.
- Experience in research and analysis to develop input to the identification, design and development of industrial relations services.
- A relevant degree or equivalent experience in Industrial Relations, Law majoring in Industrial and/or Employment or a related field.
- Strong analytical skills, enabling you to interpret complex industrial relations issues effectively.
- Excel in communication and interpersonal skills, fostering relationships with stakeholders at all levels including external stakeholders such as union associations.
- Experience in the implementation of industrial relations frameworks.
- Experience with continuous improvement activities to deliver business outcomes.
Assistant Advisor – Administrative Officer Level 6
Multiple opportunities
View the job ad | Read our full guide
As an Assistant Advisor in the Talent Acquisition team at eHealth NSW, the role provides recruitment support, maintains accurate systems, contributes to recruitment projects, ensures a smooth experience for candidates and hiring managers, delivers administrative recruitment services, coordinates and supports recruitment projects, maintains and improves office systems, records and processes, and manages workload and day-to-day priorities in a high-volume environment.
- Has experience delivering recruitment or HR administration services within a fast‑paced environment.
- Demonstrates strong organisational skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and deliver consistent, high‑quality work.
- Communicates effectively with stakeholders and provides excellent customer service to candidates and hiring managers.
- Uses technology confidently, including HRIS, records management systems and Microsoft Office tools.
- Works collaboratively within a team to deliver shared goals and contribute to a constructive workplace culture.
- To be eligible for this role you must have current Australian work rights (Australian citizen, permanent resident, New Zealand citizen with a current passport, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia).
- If you currently reside outside NSW, please confirm in your application your willingness to relocate if successful.
Recruitment and Membership Officer – Talent Pool Creation, Clerk Grade 3/4
Multiple opportunities
View the job ad | Read our full guide
The role provides essential administrative support to the Recruitment and Workforce Strategy team, managing various HR processes and contributing to the efficient delivery of business services, including recruitment, data management, and compliance with relevant regulations.
- Handle diverse tasks such as posting job advertisements, sending interview invitations, managing new starter packs, conducting background checks, and more.
- Support the development and maintenance of recruitment, membership, and establishment procedures, resources, and guides.
- Ensure accuracy and data integrity by evaluating and updating job descriptions, job family data, and career pathways.
- Have experience working in a customer focused environment, people-oriented role with a willingness to learn new processes.
- Experience utilising technology in the workplace to enhance process outcomes e.g. administering a HRIS.
- Thorough knowledge of AIIMS principles and processes, and/or willingness to obtain competence within 12 months.
Need help with your application?
Dream Job Application — Your best application yet, or your money back.
$399 per application. Includes every document needed: CV, cover letter, pitch, statement of claims, targeted questions responses, and selection criteria responses. No page limit. No word limit. All inclusive.
