A statement of claims can feel harder than selection criteria because it gives you less obvious structure. Instead of answering separate questions one by one, you may be asked to write one statement that explains why you are suitable for the role. That sounds simple, but it often makes applicants more confused.
The risk is that the statement becomes a long summary of your resume. You mention your experience, your skills, your attitude, and maybe a few responsibilities from previous jobs, but the panel still has to do the hard work of matching your background to the role. A good statement of claims does the opposite. It makes the match clear.
That is why statement of claims examples are useful. They show how to bring together role requirements, focus capabilities and real work evidence in one coherent document. The example is not there to be copied. It is there to show how the argument is built.
What a Statement of Claims Example Should Show
A useful example should show three things. First, it should show that the applicant understands the role. Second, it should show that the applicant has chosen evidence that matches the role. Third, it should show that the applicant can explain their value without drifting into vague claims.
For example, if a NSW Government role asks for stakeholder engagement, written communication and project coordination, the statement should not treat those as three random skills. It should show how they worked together in a real situation. Maybe you coordinated information across teams, prepared updates, handled competing priorities and made sure a deadline was met. That kind of example is stronger because it reflects how the job is likely to work in practice.
The panel is not looking for a perfect career story. It is looking for confidence that you can do the work. The statement should therefore make your evidence easy to assess.
A Better Way to Structure the Statement
A strong statement of claims often works best when it is built around two or three evidence themes. For a policy role, those themes might be analysis, stakeholder engagement and written advice. For an administration role, they might be customer service, accuracy and workload management. For a project role, they might be coordination, communication and delivery.
Each theme should include a short explanation and a specific example. You do not need to write a full STAR answer for every point, but you do need enough detail for the panel to see what you did. The statement should feel like a carefully selected argument, not a collection of disconnected claims.
One common mistake is trying to mention every requirement equally. That usually produces a thin statement. It is better to go deeper on the requirements that matter most and weave the smaller requirements into those examples where they naturally fit.
Another mistake is starting with a generic introduction about being passionate, motivated or excited. That does not usually help. Start with the strongest match between your experience and the job.
How to Use Examples Without Weakening Your Application
When you look at statement of claims examples, pay attention to the decisions behind the writing. What did the applicant choose to include? What did they leave out? How did they connect the example back to the job? Where did they show judgement instead of just listing duties?
Then build your own version from the role description. Read the essential requirements, the focus capabilities and the key accountabilities together. Ask yourself what the panel is really worried about. Do they need someone who can manage pressure? Someone who can write clearly? Someone who can work with vulnerable people? Someone who can keep complex information organised?
Your statement should answer that concern directly.
It can help to write a rough evidence map before drafting. Put the main role requirements on one side and your strongest examples on the other. Then draw the match. If one example proves three requirements, it may deserve more space. If a requirement has no clear example beside it, decide whether you can show it through transferable experience or whether the role may be a weaker fit than it first appeared.
This step matters because statement of claims documents often become messy when the applicant starts writing too early. They try to solve structure, evidence and wording at the same time. It is much easier to choose the evidence first, decide the argument second, and polish the writing last. The final statement should feel smooth, but the planning behind it should be deliberate.
If you need the broader explanation first, read what a statement of claims is in a government job application. If the role asks for separate criteria responses, use the selection criteria guide instead.
Final Takeaway
The best statement of claims examples are not fancy. They are clear. They show the panel why your experience is relevant, how your examples match the role, and why your application deserves serious consideration.
If you are stuck, do not start by making the writing more formal. Start by choosing better evidence. The writing gets easier once the evidence is right. For help turning a specific NSW Government role into a strong application, use request application or look at the Shortlist Plan.