Work for us at the Department of Justice

Search for current job opportunities at the Department of Justice.

The Department of Justice offers a diverse range of job opportunities, in both Perth and regional WA, including:

Corrective services (located in Perth and regional WA)

• community corrections officer
• drug detection officer
• prison officer
• medical officers
• nurses
• social worker
• psychologist
• special operations group
• teachers and trainers
• trades and services
• youth custodial officer
• youth justice officer

Corporate support (located in Perth)

• administrative support
• finance
• human resources
• information communications and technology
• policy development
• public affairs 

 Court and Tribunal Services (located in Perth  and regional WA)

• customer service officers
• fines enforcement staff
• jury officers
• roles supporting the judiciary
• victim support workers and counsellors.

Legal and policy areas (located in Perth)

The State Solicitor's Office and the Parliamentary Counsel's Office employ specialist lawyers to meet the needs of Government. 

• lawyers
• law clerks and paralegals
• legal secretaries

Office of the Public Advocate (located in Perth)

• community education officers
• finance and advocacy investigators
• guardians
• policy officers

The Public Trustee (located in Perth)

• administering deceased estates
• helping establish enduring powers of attorney
• helping people to prepare wills
• overseeing the financial and legal affairs of people who cannot make these decisions themselves

Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (located in Perth and regional WA)

• helping with family history research
• managing demographic records critical to progressing the State's planning
• performing civil marriage ceremonies
• registering births, deaths and marriages

In order to apply for a position you need to complete an application form and provide a detailed resume. You may not be required to address the job-related requirements unless it is specifically asked in the advertisement.

Each job has an attached list of job-related requirements. These are the personal attributes (skills, knowledge and experience) you need to successfully perform the functions of the job. Job-related requirements are sometimes called selection criteria.

Make sure you refer to the job advertisement for details on what other information you need to complete as part of your application.

Always get a copy of the job description form. It's important that you read all the information about the position you are applying for.

If you have any questions about a position, contact the person listed in the advertisement for more information. Your application is reviewed by a nominated selection panel to assess your submission and others who also apply.

If you have problems accessing information related to a position, contact My HR Client Services on 9264 1777 - note the call centre opening hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (excluding public holidays).

Applications must be received by the closing time and date specified in the advertisement. We are unable to accept late or emailed applications. Our preferred option is for job applications to be lodged online through the current vacancies section on jobs.wa.gov.au. You will receive an electronic receipt confirming your application has been submitted.

If you would like to change your application at any time (including the submission of extra or forgotten attachments) this must be done prior to the closing date and only by resubmitting your application in full via online.

Under no circumstances can we accept any documentation by email about job applications.

Application form

When you apply online an application form is provided at the start of the electronic process. You will need to complete this form which also allows you to attach your resume and written responses to the job-related requirements (if applicable).

Resume

The ‘how to apply’ sections in the job advertisement that you viewed online or in the newspaper, will describe what you need to include in your application. 

You will need to include a detailed resume outlining your relevant personal information, education (and qualifications) as well as your employment history as it relates to the job-related requirements (selection criteria).

Your resume should include:

• personal details
• supplementary information like career achievement, key skills and abilities, career objectives, work values
• a summary of your work history starting with your most recent position and including dates and details of duties
• education and training achievements, including current training
• any activities that you have undertaken outside of work that may be relevant
• details of two referees

Referees

Nominate the names and contact details of at least two referees in your resume. Select referees who have current knowledge of your relevant skills and abilities and are able to comment on your work experience. We recommend that you contact your referees prior to applying for the position. If you have concerns about advising your current employer of your application, please notify the contact person in the advertisement.

Addressing job-related requirements (selection criteria)

Some positions need a separate written response to job-related requirements. These are the education, knowledge, skills and abilities needed for the role and are in the Job Description Form.

The 'how to apply' section in the job advertisement usually asks you to submit a resume and additional information in context of the job-related requirements. This is an important part of your application.

Other documents

For some positions you may need to submit other documents such as copies of your qualifications. These will usually be required at the interview stage of the recruitment process and the Department will ask to sight the originals.

It is your responsibility to make sure the application is received by Human Resources before the closing date and time.

If you are concerned your application has not been received in time please contact the HR Officer for confirmation on 9264 1777.

Selection Panel

Members of the selection panel will independently assess each application and shortlist the most competitive people.

The selection panel may use a variety of methods to gather more information about your suitability for the position. In most cases this will be an interview with the selection panel. Other methods of assessment may also be used, but you will be advised. These may include:

• case scenarios or role plays
• examples of previous work (for example, a written report)
• giving a presentation
• aptitude or ability tests for certain positions
• work/skills based exercises (for example, producing a document).

The interview

Questions asked at the interview will relate to the job-related requirements of the position. The same questions will be asked of each applicant although questions seeking clarification or expansion may differ.

Preparing for the interview:

• be aware of what the job involves from the job description form, selection criteria and if you choose, by talking with the contact person
• focus on the job-related requirements and think of examples and work situations where you have applied the relevant skills and abilities
• focus on the duties of the position and how you would carry them out. Think of any problems you might encounter and how you would resolve them
• if the position has a supervisory role, think about your additional responsibilities as a supervisor
• if you have any relevant reports or other work which will provide examples of your skills and abilities you may present these at the interview and
• take a copy of your written application with you.
• The selection panel may also set tasks for applicants or provide the questions prior to the interview.

As part of the employment selection process, recommended applicants will need to agree to undergo a national criminal history check. When contacted for interview, you may also be asked to bring proof of identity.

During the interview:

• Do not assume each of the selection panel members know about your suitability for the job even though you may have worked with them or have had previous experience in the position for which you have applied.
• Take time to answer each question. The selection panel will appreciate a well thought out answer presented clearly and concisely even though you may take a few moments to put your thoughts together.
• If you do not understand a question, ask for clarification before replying.
• Wherever possible relate your answer to direct experiences you have had.
• During the interview selection panel members will take notes and assess your answers to the questions to help them accurately recall your details when they come to make a recommendation.

Referee checks

We will always conduct referee checks as part of our selection process. The selection panel may conduct a referee check before or after the interview/other selection method.

Decision time

When the selection process is finalised, the selection panel will prepare a report detailing the process and the recommendation. Once this is completed, you will be notified of the outcome and the name of the person you can contact to get feedback on your application.

You are encouraged to seek feedback as it can help you with future applications and interviews. The notification will also advise that you have the right to lodge a Breach of Standard Claim within 4 working days.

A Breach of Standard Claim cannot be lodged on the grounds that you consider yourself more competitive than the successful candidate, but rather it addresses your concerns if you feel that the process has been breached.

This process helps us to be fair and equitable in our recruitment decisions that meet our business requirements and helps you to know that we are meeting the Public Sector Standard in Human Resources Management.

Further information on the Public Sector Commission's (PSC) Employment Standard and four day breach period is available at http://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au

or the Claimant's Guide - Breach of Standards

Eligibility for a position

For a Permanent appointment in the Department of Justice, you must be an:

• Australian citizen, or
• Permanent resident of Australia (as defined by the Commonwealth Immigration Act).

For an appointment on a casual or fixed term basis by the Department of the Justice, you must be an:

• Australian citizen,
• Permanent resident of Australia (as defined by the Commonwealth Immigration Act.), or
• Hold a relevant work visa.

If you are not an Australian citizen or resident and don’t hold a work visa, you must obtain a work visa, at your own expense, before starting at the Department. For information about visas and associated immigration issues, go to the Department of Home Affairs website.

Overseas qualifications

If you have a qualification from an educational institution outside of Australia, you must obtain an assessment from an authorised skills recognition authority before starting work with the Department.

You are encouraged to get this documentation as soon as you can as it may take some time to arrange. The assessment is only required if your qualification is essential to the job you are applying for.

50(d)

The Department recognises the purpose of section 50(d) under the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 in the recruitment and selection of people from particular ethnicity as someone who can most effectively provide services to people of the same ethnicity.

For example, Aboriginality is a genuine requirement where a 50(d) position is reserved for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people and applicants must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent (ATSI). Identity as ATSI and be recognised as such by the ATSI community.

Working with children check

A Working with Children Check is a mandatory requirement for certain positions at the Department which involve child-related work.

If a position is identified under section 6 of the Working with Children Act 2004 as ‘Child Related Work’ then applicants must have a current Working with Children Check or be able to successfully apply for one to be eligible for appointment to the position. You will need to produce a current valid Working with Children Card as required by law.

For more information, refer to the Working with Children website.

Employment Screening Check

Before being employed by the Department you will be required to have an employment screening check undertaken. This may include both a National Criminal History Check and a National Security Vetting Clearance. All successful applicants, including fixed–term contract and casuals, will be required to complete employment screening checks. All information is treated in the strictest of confidence and in accordance with the Department's Employment Suitability - Criminal Record Check and Security Vetting Policy.

As part of the interview process you may be asked to complete a Criminal Record Check and Security Vetting Form and a National Police Checking Service Application Consent Form. You may also be asked to bring along to the interview original forms of identification as listed below (do not submit any original forms of identification as part of your application for a position).

 Additional benefits include:

• subsidised housing in specified regional locations in the form of rental assistance through Government Regional Officers Housing (GROH) and the Home Ownership Subsidy Scheme (HOSS)
• district allowances (PDF) which are an additional payment for staff working in specified regional locations
• additional annual lease for staff working in specified regional locations
• salary packaging - contact SmartSalary for more details.

Working for the Department of Justice, you will constantly learn, face new challenges and negotiate changing circumstances.

Plus you will be working with a team that is making a positive difference to the lives of others.