frequently asked questions

To find job opportunities on the Gateway, users can browse through the listings available on the website. They can search for jobs based on various criteria such as job title, location, classification, or sub-sector. Search for a job in the community sector today.

Yes, the ACT Community Sector Careers Gateway is free for job seekers to use.

The Gateway advertises a wide range of job opportunities within the community sector, including roles in areas such as client facing, legal, operations, policy, advocacy, and service provision. Job listings may vary in terms of qualifications, experience levels, and responsibilities.

Yes, users can refine their job search on the Gateway based on specific criteria such as role, classification, or sub-sector. Search for a job in the community sector today.

New job listings are posted on the Gateway regularly, with updates occurring as organisations submit new vacancies. Job seekers are encouraged to check the platform frequently and subscribe to the Job Notice mailing list at the bottom of the page.

Yes, the Gateway provides resources and support to assist job seekers with their employment journey. This includes tips for writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for job interviews, working out what to study, and other career development resources.

Yes, organisations within the community sector can utilise the Gateway to advertise job vacancies and connect with potential candidates. By posting job listings on the Gateway, organisations can reach a targeted audience of individuals interested in pursuing careers within the community sector. Find out our fees here.

Careers Ambassadors are colleagues in the ACT Community Sector love their work and they want to share their experience with you. Our Career Ambassadors are at different stages of their careers and come from a variety of sectors and backgrounds and can be booked to attend an event or a one-on-one discussion.

For more information, see the Meet our careers ambassadors page

Salaries in the community sector have increased significantly following recent decisions by the Fair Work Commission. Many roles in the community sector offer competitive salaries, additionally, the community sector offers other valuable benefits, such as flexible working, portable long service leave and salary packaging. The community sector is committed to advocating for fair wages and ensuring that workers are adequately compensated for their contributions.

Aged care and disability services are an important and growing part of the community sector. Many of our largest and most established community organisations run major disability and aged care operations offering exciting career opportunities.

However, there are many other sub-sectors in the community sector which are also thriving. The diversity of the sector allows individuals with various skills, interests, and backgrounds to find fulfilling career opportunities tailored to their preferences. Additionally, as the sector continues to evolve and address emerging social issues, new job roles and specialties are continuously emerging, providing even more options for those interested in making a difference in their communities. Find a career to match your values and discover the range of career options available in the community sector.

There are many benefits of working in the ACT community sector, such as excellent remuneration, portable long service leave and salary sacrifice.

The sector will also provide unmatched flexibility, job satisfaction, and incredible opportunities to progress your career.

Existing career opportunities exist for school and college leavers as well as graduates from vocational institutions and universities.

For more information see the benefits section.

While it’s true that some positions in the community sector may be project-based or grant-funded, leading to potential fluctuations, this isn’t universally the case. Many community sector organisations offer stable, long-term employment opportunities, especially in essential service areas like healthcare, disability, and education as well as areas such as operational in roles such as human resources and finance. Additionally, many mid-size and larger community sector organisations offer contract terms similar to or better than the public and corporate sector which have their own enterprise agreements negotiated with staff offer generous terms and conditions.

If you are coming from the public or private sector, you will have skills needed in the community sector. Are you good at team work, a good communicator and have strong resilience? Do you have well developed emotional intelligence and are empathetic? Are you a self-starter who likes to help people and communities? Are you good with words or numbers? The community sector needs people with skills for roles including project management, policy writing, advocacy, operations and contract managers, individual support worker and many more.

Find out about how your skills and experience are transferrable to the community sector.

If you are coming from the public or private sector, you may have already been working in a similar role to those available in the community sector.

Community sector roles are diverse and include project management, policy writing, advocacy, operations and contract managers, individual support worker and many more. Want to see examples of roles available within the sector? Check out example of roles page.

The community sector is looking for people who are passionate about making a difference! You will have the benefit of knowing that you are making a difference every day and be working in a role that aligns with your values.

For more information see the benefits section.

Some roles in the community sector need qualifications. Some you can learn on-the-job. One of the most direct ways into the community sector is through Vocational Education and Training (VET). VET delivers targeted knowledge and practical skills directly linked to particular roles including early childhood education, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander services, alcohol and other drug services, community development and aged care.

VET training is delivered by institutions including schools and colleges, Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and Registered Training Operators which include ACT community sector organisations.

Whether you are still studying social sciences, law, engineering, allied health, nursing, social work, business or media and communication, there are many part-time, casual or temporary jobs in the community sector for you. These roles offer alternatives to hospitality or retail jobs and let you earn money and gain relevant experience in the community sector while you finish your studies.

After finishing study, many graduates can find roles in their sector area of focus such as communications or accounting or social work or gender studies. Graduates with generalist degrees also bring critical thinking, teamwork and passion for making a difference. The sector needs more people like you!

For more information please see university students and graduates

Many community sector organisations encourage staff to continue developing their skills through ongoing formal training or short courses. There are many on-the-job learning opportunities and networks to support both new starters to the community sector and experienced workers alike.

For more information see the jobs that matter page.

A role in the community sector allows you to enjoy doing a job you love with like-minded people and have flexibility to have a work-life balance.

For more information, see the benefits page to find out what the community sector can offer.

We need more people to join the community sector – and more parents, carers and careers advisers to recommend students join us!

You can encourage students to:

• Talk to people already working in the sector such as one of our careers ambassadors.
• Start volunteering or looking for smaller, part-time roles.
• Consider further study a in a particular area of interest.

For more information, see the benefits page.

There are times when life and jobs can get stressful and impact on our mental health. The community sector is no different. But many community sector organisations have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which allows its workers to get support for when times get tough. There are also networks which give community sector workers the opportunity to come together and share experiences to learn from one another and grow together.

It’s true that the public sector provides many opportunities. But in Canberra, the community sector also offers a rewarding career. The community sector has many roles that can suit workers who are beginning their career. Some community sector CEOs started as frontline workers (something not often said in other sectors) and other workers have joined after realising the public sector did not provide the job satisfaction or alignment with values they were after. The sector allows you to build skills in a particular area and forge a meaningful career making a difference in the Canberra community.

Check out the stories of our career ambassadors to learn more about their career journey.