This capability is about taking responsibility for your actions, following the right standards, and doing what the role requires without having to be dragged there.
It often overlaps with integrity and results, but it is not the same thing. Accountability is really about ownership: understanding what sits with you, acting on it, and not quietly stepping around problems that are clearly your responsibility to address.
That means it usually comes through best in a STAR-style example where the panel can see what you were responsible for, how you responded, and what happened because you took ownership. If you need a refresher, go back to our STAR Method Examples for NSW Government Applications.
What changes across the levels
- Foundational: follows rules, completes work and takes responsibility for own tasks
- Intermediate: shows ownership, follows policy and keeps commitments
- Adept: takes proactive responsibility and uses judgement within policy and legislative settings
- Advanced: ensures strong accountability in more complex work and manages risk more visibly
- Highly Advanced: builds accountability culture, governance and standards across wider settings
How to build a stronger example
Good examples often include:
- owning work rather than passing it on
- understanding policy, legislation or process obligations
- taking action when something needed correction
- making sure responsibilities were clear
Example paragraph: Intermediate
In my previous role, I was responsible for maintaining records and submitting routine reports in line with process requirements. A common issue was that missing or incomplete information could easily be passed along and become someone else’s problem. My task was to make sure that did not happen in the work I handled. I made sure I understood the relevant procedures, completed the work accurately, and followed up on any missing information rather than leaving issues unresolved for others. That helped maintain a more reliable process and reduced errors.
Example paragraph: Adept
While coordinating a time-sensitive piece of work, I noticed that an important step had been overlooked and would create problems later if left unaddressed. My task was to resolve the issue properly rather than assume someone else would pick it up. I took responsibility for clarifying what was required under the relevant process, followed up with the right people, and made sure the work was corrected before it moved further. That protected the integrity of the outcome and avoided unnecessary rework.
Example paragraph: Advanced
In a senior role, I was accountable for work involving multiple contributors, legislative requirements and reputational risk. The challenge was not just my own output, but making sure accountability stayed clear across the broader piece of work. I made expectations clear, monitored the quality of outputs, and acted quickly when gaps emerged rather than assuming they would sort themselves out. That helped maintain strong standards and clearer accountability across the work.
Final advice
Accountability examples work best when they show ownership.
Not just that you did your tasks, but that you took responsibility for getting things right.