EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION GUIDE (HRF 001)
Thank you for your interest in applying for a position at Surf Coast Shire Council. The following information
is provided to guide you through the recruitment and selection process and to maximise the chances of your
application being successful.
To be considered for positions at Council, applications must be received by the nominated closing
time and date and include the following documents:
Covering Letter
Please provide a letter which introduces yourself and your interest in the advertised position.
Statement Addressing Selection Criteria
You must provide a statement addressing the selection criteria as outlined in the position description. It is
important that you demonstrate clear connections between your qualifications, experience, skills and
knowledge against the selection criteria.
Résumé
Please provide a copy of your current résumé, outlining your employment and educational
experience, skills and knowledge.
history,
Referees
The names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of two contactable, professional (workrelated) referees must be provided. These should include a direct report and/or current employer. Written
references are not required with your initial application. Please note, referee statements gained during this
selection process will be deemed confidential information and will be classed as exempt documents under
the Freedom of Information Act (1982).
Please combine the cover letter, statement addressing the selection criteria, résumé and reference
information into one document for ease of processing.
EMPLOYMENT PROCESS
Equal Employment Opportunity
Surf Coast Shire Council is an equal opportunity employer. We ensure fair, equitable and nondiscriminatory consideration is given to all applicants, regardless of age, sex, disability, marital status,
pregnancy, sexual orientation, race, religious beliefs or other irrelevant factor. We recognise our proactive
duty to ensure compliance with equal opportunity and other workplace-related legislation, and to eliminate all
forms of discrimination.
Notification and Timeframes
All applications will be acknowledged using the same method with which they were received. As a guide,
the short-listing of candidates is usually completed within approximately two weeks of the closing date. You
should normally receive either a phone call inviting you to attend an interview, or a letter advising that you
were unsuccessful, within about four weeks of the closing date.
The Interview
If you are invited to attend an interview, the interview panel will usually consist of two or three people from
Council and last for approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Interview questions will be consistent for each
applicant. Whenever practicable, applicants will be interviewed in person; however, interstate or overseas
applicants may have an initial interview via teleconference. Please bring proof of meeting mandatory skills
and qualifications identified in the position description to the interview for sighting by the Panel.
The panel will inform you at the interview when they expect to be in touch with the outcome or update.
Qualifications
If you attend an interview, please bring original documentation supporting the qualifications outlined in your
resume. If you are the successful applicant, you will be required to submit copies of all documents relating to
your qualifications to the Human Resource unit.
Pre-Employment Checks
All positions at Surf Coast Shire require completion of a Police Check that is suitable for the position and
proof of qualifications will need to be provided. Pre-employment medical examinations and/or working with
children checks may be required for certain positions or situations.
Pre-Requisites for Employment
It should be noted that successful applicants may be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in
Australia prior to commencement of duties. This may be in the form of a passport or birth certificate
identifying Australian citizenship or a valid work visa.
Pre-Employment Health Declaration
At the interview stage you will be requested to complete a Pre-Employment Health Declaration which will
establish whether you have any pre-existing injuries or illnesses that may be aggravated as a result of
carrying out the role or require reasonable adjustments to the workplace. A false or misleading statement or
failure to disclose relevant information may affect any future claims if a disease or injury is aggravated.
Qualifying Period
Most new employees to the Surf Coast Shire Council will be required to complete a six-month qualifying
period.
Information Privacy
The personal information supplied as part of your application is collected by Surf Coast Shire Council for
recruitment and selection purposes and will be used solely by Council for the primary purpose it was
collected, or a secondary purpose that you could reasonably expect. You may apply to Surf Coast Shire
Council for access to and/or amendment of certain information within six months of the position’s closing
date after which time all documentation relating to unsuccessful applications will be destroyed. If you have
any questions in relation to your personal information, you may contact the Manager People and Culture on
(03) 5261 0600. Surf Coast Shire Council complies with the Information Privacy Act 2000.
Submitting your Application
Please combine the cover letter, statement addressing the selection criteria, résumé and reference
information into one document for ease of processing.
Submit your application by post, fax or online to:
Human Resources Officer
Surf Coast Shire Council
PO Box 350
Torquay 3228 VIC
Fax: 03 5261 4527
Website: www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au
Thank you for your interest in applying for a position at Surf Coast Shire Council. If you have any further
queries you can phone Customer Service on 03 5261 0600.