Job interview tips for Australia come down to a handful of local habits: expect behavioural questions that you answer with real examples (the STAR method), a selection panel rather than one interviewer in the public sector, referee checks before an offer, and salary conversations that separate base pay from superannuation. Prepare two short stories for each skill in the job ad, know your notice period and your right to work, and practise answering out loud before the day.
This guide covers what is different about interviewing in Australia as of October 2026, what to expect at each stage, and links to our detailed Australian guides. For advice that applies in any country, see our general job interview tips and how to prepare for an interview.
What is different about job interviews in Australia?
These are the 12 things that most often catch out people who have interviewed elsewhere, especially in the US or Asia.
- Behavioural questions are the default. The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) describes them as questions that start "Tell us about a time when…" or "Describe a situation where…", based on the principle that past behaviour is a good indicator of future behaviour. Many private employers use the same format. Our behavioural interview questions for Australia has 20 practice questions.
- Hypothetical questions sit alongside them. The APSC also lists "hypothetical scenario questions", where you explain how you would handle a fictional work problem. Answer with the steps you would take and why, then link to a time you did something similar.
- Selection criteria or a "pitch" in the public sector. Government jobs often ask for a written statement against key selection criteria, or a one- to two-page pitch. The interview then tests the same criteria. See our selection criteria interview guide.
- Panels are normal. In the Australian Public Service (APS), a selection panel is two or more people and often includes the job's supervisor; a scribe may take notes. Make eye contact with everyone, not just the person who asked the question.
- Published capability frameworks. Federal and state governments publish the capabilities they assess. The NSW Public Sector Capability Framework (version 3, 2026) has 20 capabilities across five groups; the APS has its Integrated Leadership System. Read the role description and match your examples to the named capabilities.
- Longer CVs. The APSC's guidance says most CVs are two to six pages and that you do not need to include your age, gender or marital status. That is longer than the one-page US norm. See our Australian resume vs US resume comparison.
- Referees matter. Expect to name two referees. The APSC says it is generally expected that one will be a current or recent supervisor. Checks usually happen near the end, so brief your referees on the role before you interview.
- Salary is quoted with super on top. Employers pay superannuation in addition to salary; the super guarantee rate is 12% for 2025–26 and 2026–27, according to the Australian Taxation Office. Always ask whether a figure is base salary "plus super" or a total package that includes super.
- You may discuss your pay. Since 7 December 2022, employees and future employees have a workplace right to share (or not share) their pay and conditions, and pay secrecy terms in new contracts have no effect, as the Fair Work Ombudsman explains.
- Right-to-work questions are routine. Employers can check a visa holder's work conditions through VEVO (below). APS jobs generally expect Australian citizenship, and some roles need a security clearance.
- Notice periods are short by international standards. Under the National Employment Standards, an employer must give one to four weeks' notice depending on length of service, plus a week if the employee is over 45 with at least two years' service. The notice you must give when you resign is usually set by your award, enterprise agreement or contract.
- You can ask for feedback. If you are unsuccessful in an APS process, the APSC says you can seek feedback from the contact officer. In the APS you may also be placed on a merit list that agencies can use for 18 months.
What to expect at each stage of an Australian hiring process
Stages vary by employer. This is the typical shape for a professional role in a large organisation or government agency.
| Stage | What usually happens | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Application | CV plus a cover letter; in government, a pitch or responses to selection criteria or targeted questions | Mirror the job ad's criteria and give one or two specific examples for each |
| Screening | A phone or video call with a recruiter or HR; sometimes a one-way video interview or online tests | A 60-second summary of your background, your salary range, your availability and your right to work |
| Assessment | Psychometric tests, a work sample (such as a writing exercise), a presentation or an assessment centre for graduate and bulk recruitment | Practise the format in advance and read the instructions carefully |
| Interview | A panel or one-to-one interview with behavioural and hypothetical questions; sometimes a second round with a senior manager | Eight to ten STAR stories mapped to the role description |
| Referee checks | Calls or written reports from two referees, usually including a recent supervisor | Tell referees which skills the role needs and which examples you used |
| Offer and checks | Written contract stating salary and super, notice and any probation; pre-employment checks such as a police check or security clearance | Confirm whether the figure is base plus super and when checks must be complete |
For online tests and assessment centres: take the assessment yourself and follow the employer's rules — use CoPilot Interview to practise beforehand.
How do you answer behavioural questions in an Australian interview?
Use STAR: the Situation, your Task, the Actions you took and the Result. The APSC recommends the same model for written applications. Keep each answer to about two minutes, say "I" rather than "we" when describing your actions, and end with a measurable result and what you learned. Our STAR method guide covers the structure in detail.
Example we wrote for illustration — "Tell us about a time you dealt with a difficult customer":
"At a Brisbane utilities call centre, a small-business owner rang for the third time about a billing error that had put his account into collections (situation). My job was to resolve it on that call (task). I apologised, read back the history so he did not have to repeat himself, got approval from my team leader to reverse the late fees, and booked a call-back for the next day to confirm the correction (actions). The account was fixed within 24 hours, he withdrew his complaint to the ombudsman, and my team adopted the call-back step for repeat callers (result)."
How should you talk about salary in Australia?
Give a researched range, state whether it is base or total package, and leave room for the rest of the offer. Many job ads already show a salary range or, in government, a classification level with a published pay range. Our salary expectations answer for Australia covers official pay data and more example answers.
Example we wrote: "Based on the role and the market in Melbourne, I'm looking for a base salary of $105,000 to $115,000 plus super. I'm flexible on the exact figure depending on the full package, including flexibility and development."
Right to work, visas and notice periods
Expect a direct question such as "Do you have full working rights in Australia?" Answer in one sentence with your status and any end date. Visa holders can use Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) to send proof of their visa conditions to an employer. This is general information, not migration advice; always check the Department of Home Affairs for your own visa. If you are on a working holiday visa, read our guide to a job interview on a working holiday visa.
When asked about your notice period, give the exact figure from your contract and the earliest realistic start date, for example: "My contract requires four weeks' notice, so I could start on 1 December."
Guides for Australia
- Selection criteria interview: turning key selection criteria into interview answers.
- APS interview: Australian Public Service recruitment, panels and the ILS capabilities.
- NSW Government capability framework interview: focus capabilities and levels.
- Behavioural interview questions Australia: 20 practice questions with example answers.
- How to answer salary expectations in Australia.
- Australian resume vs US resume.
- Graduate program interview Australia.
- Job interview on a working holiday visa.
- Canva interview process.
- Atlassian interview process.
- Commonwealth Bank interview.
- Telstra interview.
How to practise before an Australian interview
The fastest way to improve is to answer out loud and get specific feedback. In CoPilot Interview's AI mock interview, Mock Interview builds questions from your CV and the job description. You choose 3, 5 or 8 questions and the mix (for example, mostly behavioural), it reads each question aloud, and it scores each spoken answer out of 10 with what worked, what to fix and a model answer, then gives you a report card. The free plan includes 15 minutes a day with no account. You can also draft stories with the free STAR story builder. CoPilot Interview is not affiliated with Microsoft Copilot.
Practise with Australian wording: "Tell us about a time…", "What would you do if…" and "How does your experience meet the criteria?" Then rehearse your answers to the salary, notice and working-rights questions until each takes under 20 seconds.
Rehearse for your Australian interview
Answer behavioural questions out loud and get each answer scored out of 10 with what to fix. Free for 15 minutes a day, no account needed.
Try a free AI mock interviewFAQ
What is the most common interview format in Australia?
Most professional roles use a structured interview with behavioural questions ("Tell us about a time when…"), often alongside hypothetical "What would you do if…" questions. Government roles usually use a selection panel of two or more people.
Do Australian employers check references?
Yes, referee checks are common near the end of the process. The Australian Public Service Commission says one referee is generally expected to be a current or recent supervisor, so choose and brief your referees early.
Should I include super when I give a salary expectation in Australia?
Say which you mean. Superannuation is paid on top of salary (the super guarantee is 12% for 2026–27), so a figure can be "base plus super" or a total package including super. Ask the employer which way their range is quoted.
Can an Australian employer ask about my visa?
Yes. Employers need to confirm you have the right to work, and visa holders can share their conditions through the government's VEVO service. Answer briefly with your status and any end date, and check the Department of Home Affairs for your own situation.
How long is a notice period in Australia?
Under the National Employment Standards an employer must give one to four weeks' notice depending on service, plus a week for employees over 45 with at least two years' service. The notice you give when resigning is usually set by your award, agreement or contract.
Is CoPilot Interview free to practise with?
Yes. The free plan gives you 15 minutes a day with no account or credit card, including Mock Interview, which scores each spoken answer out of 10. Paid plans start at $14.99 USD a month.