How to apply for the Indigenous Apprenticeships Program

Stage 1. Apply online from 23 January to 20 February 2023

To apply online, you’ll need to do all of the following:

• answer a question about why you want to join the program
• confirm your eligibility
• upload your resume
• supply the names of 2 referees, we will ask them to complete a report.

There’s no written selection criteria and no need to study. This step isn’t about knowledge.

To confirm your eligibility, we’ll ask you to tick a box saying you have Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage. Then, you’ll need to confirm your Indigenous heritage by submitting some documents. You can do this at stage 1 or stage 3.

Once you complete your application, you’ll move to stage 2.

If you can’t submit an online application, please contact us to discuss how to apply.

Stage 2. Have an online text based interview from 23 January to 20 February 2023

Once we receive your application, we’ll send you an email with a link to an online tool called PredictiveHire FirstInterview.

PredictiveHire is a tool that lets us interview you through a text conversation. You can use it on any device with internet access.

The interview includes questions about you and how you work. You’ll get a text message with a question and you’ll text back the answer. There’s no time limit, but it usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

We’ll send you instructions on what you need to do when we email you the link for your interview.

If you are unable to complete this task online, please contact us to arrange another option.

Stage 3. Participate in a virtual interview from 6 March to 4 April 2023

If you’re successful in stage 2, we’ll ask you to attend a virtual interview and complete an online questionnaire where we’ll assess your skills and behaviours. Here you have the opportunity to learn a bit more about the program.

You don’t need to prepare or study for this.

If you anticipate any difficulties having access to the appropriate technology (computer with a camera, audio and keyboard) to attend your virtual interview, please urgently contact us to arrange another option.

At this stage, we’ll also work with you to confirm your Indigenous heritage and Australian citizenship.

If you’re successful you move to stage 4. If you have any questions about completing this stage, please contact us.

Stage 4. Receive employment offer and complete pre-employment checks from May 2023

If you’re successful in stage 3, the next step is receiving a verbal offer. The program starts in July 2023. If you accept an offer, your department or agency will let you know your start date.

We’ll consider you for positions available in all participating agencies and will consider your preferred location. If you’re successful, we may offer you either:

• one job with one department or agency
• more than one job in different departments or agencies.

If we offer you more than one job, you can choose which to take.

Before you get a formal job offer, you must meet all of the pre-employment checks. These may include any of these:

• police history check
• working with children or vulnerable people check
• referee checks
• health clearance to confirm your fitness for duty and identify any support you might need in the workplace
• past and current employment check.

We’ll arrange for these checks. We’ll let you know what you need to do to complete them.

You must also be willing to undergo and maintain an Australian Government security clearance. The level of clearance you’ll need to maintain will depend on the position we offer you.

You might also need to undergo ongoing suitability assessments as part of your employment.

Merit pool

If you decline a job offer, we’ll ask if you want to stay in the merit pool.

Staying in the merit pool means we can consider you for other vacancies in similar roles. Merit pools expire after 18 months.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the application process, please email us via Scaleup by Hudson.

You can also call us on 1300 856 993. The phone line is open between 9 am to 5 pm AEST Monday to Friday except for public holidays.

For job application tips, read the Australian Public Service Commission’s Cracking the code guide.