Introduction
The School Administrative Officer at Hunter River High School provides administration, financial and student welfare support across school office and classroom activities. The advertised scope includes settings such as the office, sick bay, library, science laboratory and food technology areas. Your application should identify the work you can perform reliably and explain how you support teachers and students while doing it.
For applicants considering how to apply for School Administrative Officer, the main writing task is a cover letter addressing six selection criteria. Those criteria combine teamwork, computer-based administration, communication, deadlines and practical support. A useful example will show the process you followed and the people who relied on your work, alongside the result.
This is an ongoing full-time position, listed as 1.0 FTE and 31 hours 15 minutes per week. The hourly rate is $41.86 plus employer superannuation and leave loading. Before applying, also consider the Working with Children Check and training requirements that support the student welfare aspects of the role.
Contents
- Role snapshot
- Application requirements
- Selection criteria and evidence
- Example cover letter structure
- Before you submit
- Role enquiries
School Administrative Officer role snapshot
| Role | School Administrative Officer – Full Time – Ongoing – Hunter River High School |
| Organisation | NSW Department of Education, School Administrative and Support |
| Location | Hunter River High School, Newcastle and Hunter Valley region |
| Employment | Ongoing full time, 1.0 FTE; 31 hours 15 minutes per week |
| Salary | $41.86 per hour, plus employer superannuation contribution and leave loading |
| Closing date | 22 September 2026 at 4:00 pm AEST |
| References | 598731 / 0000BDQY / A900158588 |
Official School Administrative Officer – Full Time – Ongoing – Hunter River High School job ad
Application requirements for School Administrative Officer
Use the covering letter to demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience contribute to the role against the selection criteria in the Statement of Duties. Keep the supporting employment history in your resume. Both documents should describe your actual experience accurately and make the connection with school administration clear.
- Covering letter, maximum three pages
- Resume, maximum five pages
Prepare both attachments as PDFs. PDF meets the specific attachment direction and is also an accepted format in the application instructions. Include the names and contact details of two referees, and submit through the online I Work for NSW application. Paper, email and late applications are not accepted.
Check for targeted questions
Check for targeted questions when you complete the application. If any are presented, answer them in your covering letter and follow the stated maximum of 300 words. The published advert does not provide specific question wording, so there are no extra questions to draft from this guide.
Essential role requirements
The role requires Working with Children Check clearance and a First Aid Certificate or willingness to undertake First Aid training. Administration of Medications training will be provided according to student needs. State your current qualifications and clearance accurately, and be clear about any training you would need to undertake.
Selection criteria and evidence for School Administrative Officer
These are the six advertised selection criteria. The guidance beside each criterion helps you choose evidence for the covering letter. You can use an example across related criteria, but explain the relevant actions rather than expecting the reader to make the connection.
| Advertised selection criterion | Evidence to consider |
|---|---|
| Demonstrated capacity to work effectively as part of a team. | Describe how you coordinated a task with colleagues, shared useful information and followed through on your part. Include how your contribution supported the team’s result. |
| Administration skills including a knowledge of computer software programs such as Microsoft Office. | Name the applications you used and the administrative task you completed. Explain the checks that kept documents, records or calculations accurate. |
| Effective oral and written communication skills. | Show how you adapted an explanation or written message for its audience, checked the details and helped someone understand what to do next. |
| Ability to meet deadlines. | Choose a period with competing demands. Explain how you identified urgent work, tracked progress and completed tasks within the required time. |
| Ability to work with teachers and students. | Use relevant experience to show respectful communication and dependable support. Explain how you clarified a request and stayed within the responsibilities of your role. |
| Ability to perform tasks in one or more of the following areas: office procedures; accounting procedures; sick bay; hospitality and /or design and technology; science. | Identify the areas where you have practical experience and give a specific example. Describe the procedure, equipment or records involved and any relevant training, without claiming expertise across every area. |
Example cover letter structure for School Administrative Officer
The covering letter has a maximum of three pages. Plan it around evidence for all six criteria, leaving space for targeted responses if the application presents them. The outline below is a way to organise the letter; it does not add further application questions.
| Cover letter section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Opening | Identify Hunter River High School and summarise your relevant administration or school-support experience. |
| Teamwork and communication | Use an example of working with others to meet a request or solve a practical problem. Explain your communication and personal contribution. |
| Systems, accuracy and deadlines | Describe an administrative task involving software, records or financial information. Show how you checked the work and managed the deadline. |
| Teachers, students and practical support | Explain your relevant experience supporting people and performing tasks in one or more of the advertised school settings. Make your training and level of responsibility clear. |
| Essential conditions and close | Confirm the applicable clearance and First Aid position, include any targeted responses required in the letter and finish with the contribution you would bring to the school. |
What the panel will want to see in your examples
- Clear coverage of all six criteria within the document limit
- Specific administrative tasks and software experience
- Dependable teamwork and communication with teachers and students
- Accurate statements about clearance, First Aid and relevant practical experience
Before you submit
Check that the covering letter addresses all six criteria and remains within three pages, including any targeted responses required in the application. Open the PDFs to confirm the formatting and five-page resume limit, and check both referees’ contact details. Submit before 4:00 pm on 22 September 2026, allowing time for the online fields and attachments.
Role enquiries
Tina Clifford, 4987 2306.
Help with your School Administrative Officer application
Choose examples that show how you keep a school service organised and support the people using it. The free NSW Government cover letter guide can help you shape the letter, and Team 3Thirty’s Complete Government Application service can support preparation of the full written application.