How to apply

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Details: Written by: Adam Gatt; Published: 16 November 2018; Last Updated: 25 September 2025

Ready to have your best of both worlds? Learn about Council’s application process here. 

Are you ready to have the best of both worlds? It’s easier than ever to apply for a role at Penrith City Council, and you can find current opportunities on our Current Vacancies page
Below is some information to help you through our application process.

Stage 1. Online Application

The first step in our recruitment process is your online application. Your online application should provide information about your professional and educational background to demonstrate that you meet the requirements for the role.

You will need to submit a resume, and responses to the Essential and Desirable Criteria, where applicable, as part of your application.

It is important that you take the time to read the position description carefully and make sure that you are able to demonstrate that your experience and skills match what is required for the role.

Stage 2. Shortlisting

Once your application is received, it will be assessed by members of a Panel, against the criteria and a decision will be made as to whether it will progress to interview.

You may be contacted during this stage to participate in a phone screening, where you will be asked a number of questions to assess your suitability for the role you have applied for.
If your application is not progressed to the interview stage, you will be notified via email.

Stage 3. Interview

If you are selected for interview, Council will contact you to invite you to an interview and confirm the date, time and location of the interview via email. You will be informed if you need to provide documentation or evidence of your work and if additional practical exercises will be conducted.

Interviews may include a series of behavioural and technical questions.

Please advise us if you have any special requirements (e.g. accessible parking space, wheelchair access) so we can make appropriate arrangements.

A panel is made up of the Hiring Supervisor and other panel member/s that work as a team to assess the most suitable person for the job.

You may also be invited to attend an assessment centre style interview. An assessment centre will involve a number of activities across a period of roughly 1- 2 hours, such as aptitude testing, group exercises and interviews.

Most Council recruitment processes only include one interview, however dependent on the role you applied for, you may be asked to attend a second interview stage. You will be informed of this stage during the interview process.

If you are unsuccessful following the interview process, you will be notified via email.

Stage 4. Reference checks

If you have been identified as a preferred candidate for the position, Council will contact at least 2 referees, of which at least one should be a current or recent supervisor, to ask a range of questions to confirm your application information and interview responses.

Stage 5. Medical and Background Checks

You may be required to complete an Applicant Medical Declaration through our online recruitment portal. Dependant on the role you applied for, you may also be asked to attend a Functional Assessment or provide additional information from a medical professional.

You may also be required to complete a Qualification Check, Criminal History Check or similar background check, depending on the role requirements. These will be completed by Council’s preferred background check provider and will be paid for by Council.

You will also need to complete a Working with Children Check if the position is child-related and provide these details to Council for verification.

Stage 6. Final decision

The Panel will carefully evaluate your application, interview, reference checks and any practical exercises to make its final decision. If you are successful for the position, Council will contact you to offer the position and discuss details including start date, salary and onboarding requirements.

Your questions answered

Our Process

Our recruitment process will vary for each role. Typically, the panel will review your resume and responses to the criteria, where applicable, for the role. If you meet these criteria, you may be asked to attend an interview or an assessment centre to assess your knowledge and cultural fit for the role you have applied for.

You may need to complete background checks before receiving an offer. This may include a Criminal History Check, Qualification Check, Working with Children Check, Medical Declaration and/or a Functional Assessment.

Timeframes and Feedback

The recruitment process can vary, dependant on the position. We endeavour to progress recruitment rounds as quickly as possible, however please don’t hesitate to contact the Hiring Supervisor whose number was listed in the job advertisement.

Once you’ve applied for a role you will receive an automated response confirming that we have received your application. We endeavour to progress recruitment rounds as quickly as possible, however please don’t hesitate to contact the Hiring Supervisor whose number was listed in the job advertisement.

Submitting your application

All candidates must submit their application online, via Council’s online recruitment system.

You will need to create a profile by entering your email address and creating a password – this will become your login for your candidate profile.

You will then need to provide us your personal details, submit your resume, cover letter and responses to the criteria, where applicable, as well as answering a few questions about why you want to work for us.

If you have applied for a position with us before, use the login details you set up to access your profile.

Click “Applicant Login” on the top right hand side of the menu bar, select 'Don't know your password?' then enter your email address. We will send you an email with a link and code so you can reset your password.

Within 24 to 48 hours of applying for a role, you will receive an automated system generated email confirming receipt of your application. Please check your junk mail if you cannot find it.

Contact the Hiring Supervisor listed on the job advertisement who can assist you.

The Panel will carefully review your application and will be in contact with you in due course regarding your suitability for the role that you have applied for.

Some positions require you to submit a cover letter, if so, it will be specified in the advertisement. Alternatively, if you feel that you would like to give some additional information to what is on your resume, you are welcome to submit a covering letter

Depending on the role you are applying for, you may need to provide an copies of any required qualifications or licences. If this is the case, you will be advised of this during the process.

In accordance with the privacy declaration that you signed prior to registering, your details will be kept on file in accordance with State Records NSW requirements.

You are welcome to apply for more than one position. We advise that you check that you meet the eligibility criteria for each job you are applying for.

You can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to advise of the position you wish to withdraw your application form.

Interviews and Assessment Centres

Council’s Civic Centre in Penrith has timed parking in front of the main building. Alternative parking is available directly across the road, and also at Westfield Penrith.

Parking is also available at Council Depot’s, Child Care Centres and Libraries but will differ upon the location. Please contact the Hiring Supervisor for more details on parking at other locations.

It is recommended that you wear business attire for any interviews that you attend. If there is a different dress code (such as specific Personal Protective Equipment), the Hiring Supervisor will make you aware of this when they contact you for an interview

The number of interviews that you are invited to will depend on the role you are applying for. The Hiring Supervisor will provide you with more details throughout the recruitment process.

The Hiring Supervisor will give you some information on what to expect in your interview before you come in so that you have time to prepare. Most interviews involve meeting with a panel of Council staff and answering a range of questions related to the position’s selection criteria.

An assessment centre will involve a number of activities across a period of roughly 1- 2 hours, such as aptitude testing, group exercises and interviews. We use assessment centres to look for evidence of the behavioural traits required for the position, including teamwork, communication and customer service skills.

Call or email the Hiring Supervisor you have been dealing with. If you cannot get hold of them, please call Council’s Human Resources Team on 4732 7777.

We recommend you do a run through of all of your technology – make sure your internet connection is working and all of your devices are charged. It’s also helpful to ensure you can access your emails as you may receive interview questions or additional information to review prior to your interview starting.

If you attended an online interview, you may be asked to attend a second interview in person before an offer can be made.

You can apply immediately. Generally, we recommend that you consider the feedback you received before you re-apply.

Reference and background checks

We ask that all applicants provide 2 professional references – it is preferable that one is a current supervisor or manager. This will be completed once the Hiring Supervisor has obtained your consent. If we require additional background checks, we will be in contact to obtain your consent and advise you of details.

It is preferable that the referee details supplied are at manager/supervisor level. A previous manager should suffice, however if you are still unsure please discuss this with the Hiring Supervisor at your interview.

We will not contact your referee’s until you have progressed past the initial interview stage. You can advise the Hiring Supervisor at this point if you would like to be notified prior to contacting your referees.

If this is your first paid employment, your referee may be a or a teacher/lecturer, careers advisor, sporting coach, professional mentor, community group leader or pastor/religious leader etc.

Please provide a referee who can comment on your work ethic, participation, punctuality, attendance, reliability, professionalism, motivation and teamwork and your suitability for the position you have applied for.

If you do not have a recent employment reference, your referee may be a teacher/lecturer, careers advisor, sporting coach, professional mentor, community group leader or pastor/religious leader etc.

All information about obtaining a NSW Working with Children Check can be found on the website of the Office of Children’s Guardian.

Please check with the Hiring Supervisor if you require an Employee or Volunteer Check

Offers of Employment and Onboarding

You will need to log in to your candidate profile and follow the prompts on the job you are accepting an offer for.

If you have any questions regarding you offer, please contact the Hiring Supervisor who was listed on the advertisement.

Please contact the Human Resources Team on 4732 7777 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Persons with a Disability

It is your choice as to whether you make the decision to disclose your disability at this point of the application process. If you decide to, you may wish to discuss possibilities for work-related adjustments in your covering letter.

Yes, you can make requests for adjustments for the interview.

Council will ensure that people with a disability have equal access and opportunity in the recruitment process. Requests for adjustments are subject to meeting inherent requirements and where the request does not place an unjustifiable hardship on the employer.

If you are chosen for an interview, you may be contacted by phone or email. This is the time to say whether you need anything to assist you at the interview, for example if you need:

wheelchair access into or around the building
an Auslan interpreter
to review pre-interview information and questions on a digital device

Yes. You can make requests for workplace adjustments once you have been offered a position. Your request may include adjusting the work environment and/or adjusting the job tasks.

You do not have to disclose your disability during the application process. However, you could discuss your disability at the interview. For example, you may give examples of how in previous workplaces your disability was not a factor in achieving outcomes within your role/ Or, you may want to briefly discuss how the job could be adjusted to allow for your disability.

Examples are:

equipment which will allow you to perform the job with greater efficiency
modification of tasks that are not inherently required of the position
altering the physical layout of the work area

These matters cannot be finalised at the interview. They will be negotiated in detail with you if you are the successful applicant.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss any adjustments, please contact Council’s Human Resources Team on 4732 7777.

General Information

If you are going away on leave, we encourage you to provide this information as part of your application, as well as discussing at your interview. You can also provide alternate contact details to your Hiring Supervisor at the time of interview.

Any personal information submitted to Penrith City Council will be dealt with according to the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (1998), Government Information Public Access Act (2009) and the Local Government Act (1993). Council will not use personal information for a purpose other than that for which it is collected.

Call or email the Hiring Supervisor whose number was listed in the job advertisement.

If you cannot get hold of them, please call Council’s Human Resources Team on 4732 7777 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Penrith City Council does not offer sponsorship to overseas candidates.

Call or email the Hiring Supervisor whose number was listed in the job advertisement. If you cannot get hold of them, please call Council’s Human Resources Team on 4732 7777 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.