It’s time to tell us about you. Stand out from the crowd by reading our job application guide. Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to submitting a top-notch application.
Start applying yourself
We’ve prepared this guide to help you know what to include in your job application, and what to expect with the application process.
You’ll read more about who we are as an organisation as well as learn about what we’re looking for in you as a candidate. You’ll also get instructions on how to apply for a great ACU role.
Find out who we are
First, you should get to know us a little bit better. It’s a good idea to read up on our mission and vision, including our focus on the pursuit of knowledge, the dignity of the human person and the common good.
You don’t need to be Catholic to work at ACU. But you do need a set of personal values, a desire to do good in the world, and a readiness to help others.
Read more about our mission, identity and values
You can also find out why we’re a great place to work and are an employer of choice in the higher education sector.
Learn about why you should work at ACU
What we look for in you
Your application needs to show us how your experience, skills, qualifications and knowledge match the requirements of the role you’re applying for.
To help with this, you should include a separate document – in addition to your resume and cover letter – that directly responds to the selection criteria that was listed in the position description.
What we mean by selection criteria
You can group selection criteria (sometimes called key selection criteria), into two categories: essential and desirable.
Essential selection criteria
These are the things you must have in order to do the job, such as qualifications, specialist knowledge, skills or experience.
For your application to progress, you’ll need to clearly demonstrate to us that you meet each of the listed essential selection criteria.
Desirable selection criteria
These could be specific skills, qualifications or experiences that will give you an edge in the role you’re applying for – but aren’t strictly necessary.
If you fulfil any of the position’s desirable selection criteria, you should demonstrate to us the ways in which you meet them. However, it’s not necessary for you to meet all of them in order to apply for the position and have your application progress.
Setting the standards
Our academic and professional roles are set according to two separate standards: the Minimum Standards for Academic Levels (MSALs) and the Higher Education Worker (HEW) levels.
Minimum Standards for Academic Levels (MSALs)
Minimum Standards for Academic Levels (MSALs) apply to academic positions only. They outline the base duties and skills expected for the level of the position.
If you’re applying for an academic position, you’ll need to demonstrate an ability to meet the appropriate MSAL standard for the level you’re seeking appointment to.
Higher Education Worker (HEW) levels
Higher Education Worker (HEW) levels are a set of rankings for professional positions. They classify each role on a scale from level one to ten.
HEW levels are based on DWM descriptors, which outline the expected amount of supervision, qualifications, complexity and responsibility for each level.
Submit your application
If you’re applying for a specific position, you can submit your application to us through the position’s job listing on our online portal.
If you’re a first-time applicant, you’ll need to register an account to sign into the jobs portal. Make sure you have your contact details, employment history and professional references ready.
Browse vacancies and lodge an application
Already started an application? Resume it here
Internal-only positions
Some advertised roles will be available only to current ACU employees. To apply for an internal-only position, you must be one of the following at the time of the job advertisement:
- continuing ACU staff member
- fixed-term staff member.
From time to time an advertised role will indicate it is also open to casual staff members.
Are you an international applicant?
If you’re applying from overseas, make sure you visit our international applicants’ page to learn about work visas and living and working in Australia.
Read our information for international applicants
Next steps
Once you’ve submitted your application to us, sit tight. We’ll be in touch as soon as we can with either a request for an interview or a written response detailing how your application went.
Find out what to do if we ask you for an interview