Introduction
The School Administrative Officer Preschool at Shortland Public School will support the opening of a new public preschool through practical school, classroom and office administration. The work includes records, bookkeeping, reception, purchasing and maintaining equipment and learning resources. This ongoing part-time position is 0.2 FTE, with 6 hours 15 minutes of work each week.
When planning how to apply for School Administrative Officer Preschool, start with the five specific selection criteria. They cover communication, deadlines, working with teachers and children, relevant administrative tasks and a commitment to children’s safety and rights. Your cover letter has a three-page maximum, so choose examples that give clear evidence across those areas without repeating your resume.
The preschool setting gives this application a particular focus. Explain how you would keep administrative work reliable while respecting the needs of children, families and teaching staff. The anticipated start is 12 October 2026, the first day of Term 4, and the role pays $40.64 per hour plus employer superannuation and leave loading.
Contents
- Role snapshot
- Application requirements
- Selection criteria and evidence
- Example cover letter structure
- Before you submit
- Role enquiries
School Administrative Officer Preschool role snapshot
| Role | School Administrative Officer Preschool – Part Time – 0.2 FTE – Ongoing – Shortland Public School |
| Organisation | NSW Department of Education, School Administrative and Support |
| Location | Shortland Public School, Newcastle and Hunter Valley region |
| Employment | Ongoing part time, 0.2 FTE; 6 hours 15 minutes per week |
| Salary | $40.64 per hour, plus employer superannuation contribution and leave loading |
| Closing date | 22 September 2026 at 4:00 pm AEST |
| Anticipated start | 12 October 2026, Day 1 of Term 4 |
| References | 598732 / 0000BDPB / A900158546 |
Application requirements for School Administrative Officer Preschool
Prepare a cover letter that demonstrates how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the specific selection criteria and Statement of Duties. Use the resume to supply your work history and supporting experience. The letter should make it easy to see the actions you took in relevant situations and what those actions achieved.
- Cover letter, maximum three pages, in PDF format
- Resume, maximum five pages, in PDF format
Include the names and contact details of two referees in your application. Confirm their permission and check that the details are current. Submit online through I Work for NSW; paper, email and late applications are not accepted.
Check for targeted questions
Check the application for targeted questions before you finalise the letter. If questions are presented, you must answer them within the cover letter and follow the stated maximum of 300 words. No specific targeted-question wording is included in the published advert, so use the questions and any further directions in your application.
Essential role requirements
Preschool staff must demonstrate suitability and ongoing compliance with the Children (Education and Care Services) National Law (NSW), the Education and Care Services National Regulations (NSW), and the Department’s policies and practices for public preschools. This includes child-safe practices and requirements. Read the linked Statement of Duties and child-safety information before applying so you understand the obligations attached to the work.
Selection criteria and evidence for School Administrative Officer Preschool
The five criteria below are reproduced from the advert, with planning guidance beside each one. Select evidence from work you have actually done. Where your experience comes from another setting, explain how the task and your approach would transfer to school administration.
| Advertised selection criterion | Evidence to consider |
|---|---|
| Effective communication skills. | Choose an enquiry or request that needed a clear explanation. Describe how you listened, checked your understanding and gave accurate information to the right person. |
| Ability to meet deadlines. | Explain how you organised a set of time-sensitive tasks, monitored progress and dealt with an interruption. Include the checks that kept the finished work accurate. |
| Ability to work with teachers and children. | Use relevant experience to show respectful, age-appropriate communication and cooperation with the adults responsible for children. Explain your responsibilities and when you sought guidance. |
| Ability to perform tasks in one or more of the following areas: office procedures; accounting procedures; word processing; operation of computers and/or classroom/office equipment; library procedures; hospitality and/or design and technology; science | Identify the areas you can support and describe a concrete task, such as maintaining a record, checking an invoice or preparing resources. The criterion asks for one or more areas; be precise about your experience and training needs. |
| Commitment to protecting and promoting the safety, wellbeing and rights of all children. | Explain how you follow child-safe practices, respect children’s rights and use the appropriate reporting or escalation process. Protect identities when describing an example and keep your account within your actual responsibilities. |
Example cover letter structure for School Administrative Officer Preschool
Build the cover letter around the five criteria within the three-page maximum. A small number of well-chosen examples can address related criteria together, provided you explain the connection clearly. Reserve space for any targeted responses that appear when you complete the application.
| Cover letter section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Opening and interest in the preschool | Name Shortland Public School and the 0.2 FTE role. Briefly explain the administration experience you bring and why supporting a preschool interests you. |
| Communication and working with others | Describe an interaction that shows clear communication, cooperation and awareness of the people you were supporting. Connect it to working alongside teachers and children. |
| Administration and deadlines | Use an example involving records, documents, accounts, equipment or resources. Explain how you organised the task, checked accuracy and completed it on time. |
| Child safety and professional practice | Address the fifth criterion directly. Explain your approach to safe practice, children’s wellbeing and following the relevant procedures. |
| Final checks and close | Include any required targeted responses within the letter and review the overall page count. Finish with a concise statement of the contribution you can make. |
What the panel will want to see in your examples
- Evidence that covers all five criteria, with your own contribution clear
- Accurate and organised administrative work supported by concrete examples
- Respectful communication with teaching staff, children and families
- A considered understanding of the child-safe responsibilities of preschool work
Before you submit
Open both PDFs and check the final page counts, layout and file names. Confirm that the two referees’ names and contact details are included and that you have answered any targeted questions presented in the application. Remove identifying details about children from your examples, then submit before 4:00 pm on 22 September 2026 and save the confirmation.
Role enquiries
Matthew Macdonald, (02) 4955 8476.
Help with your School Administrative Officer Preschool application
A clear cover letter links each criterion to something you have done. Team 3Thirty’s free NSW Government cover letter guide can help you organise those examples. If you want support preparing the written application, the Complete Government Application service can help you turn your experience into role-specific documents.