Official form guide
Form Job description template: Job description template
The Fair Work Ombudsman Job Description template helps employers draft a clear description of a role. Use it when you are preparing to recruit or clarify duties for an existing position.
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Form Overview
Fair Work Ombudsman Form Job description template - Job description template
The Fair Work Ombudsman Job Description template helps employers draft a clear description of a role. Use it when you are preparing to recruit or clarify duties for an existing position.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Leaving any red‑highlighted placeholders unchanged is the most common mistake.
- 2Unfilled placeholder text remains in the final document
- 3Incorrect employment type (full‑time/part‑time/casual) selected
- 4Missing required qualifications or experience details
- 5Performance goals not clearly defined
Plain English
Think of this as a fill‑in‑the‑blank form that guides you to list the job title, duties, required skills and conditions. It’s a simple tool to make sure you cover everything before posting an ad or starting a new hire.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Complete the template before you advertise a vacancy or formalise a new position’s responsibilities.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- When you need to write a clear description of duties and responsibilities for a new hire.
- When you want to clarify expectations for an existing role, including performance goals.
- When you need a basis for creating a job advertisement or interview questions.
- When you are deciding the type of employment (full‑time, part‑time, casual, fixed‑term).
- When you want a reusable document to keep on file for HR records.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Hiring a casual employee only
Contracts set out pay and conditions
✓ Verify you have the correct contract before proceeding
Creating an enterprise agreement
Covers award rates and enterprise‑wide conditions
✓ Confirm agreement is needed for your organisation
Recording a change to an existing role
Formalises amendments to duties or conditions
✓ Ensure the original job description is retained
Applying for a government grant that requires a role description
Grants may need a different format
✓ Check grant guidelines before using this template
Grant‑specific role description form
Deadline or filing window
There is no statutory deadline; finish the template before you publish a job ad or start the employee.
Before you submit
- 1Job title and reporting line are clearly stated.
- 2Primary location (including travel requirements) is listed.
- 3Main duties and responsibilities are detailed.
- 4Qualifications, licences and education requirements are included.
- 5Required experience (years and type) is specified.
- 6Key technical and interpersonal skills are listed.
- 7Performance goals are defined.
- 8Employment type (full‑time, part‑time, casual, fixed‑term) is decided and noted.
- 9A copy of the completed description is saved for records.
- 10Template headings have been replaced with your specific information.
How to file this form
- 1Download the template from fairwork.gov.au/templates.
- 2Fill in each section using the checklist guidance.
- 3Review the completed description against the pre‑submit checklist.
- 4Save a PDF copy on your internal HR system or cloud drive.
- 5Keep the original template version for reference.
- 6If required, attach the job description to the job advertisement or internal posting.
Known limitations
- 1The template provides general guidance, not legal advice.
- 2It is not a contract; separate employment contracts are still required.
- 3It does not cover award rates or enterprise agreement clauses.
- 4Specific industry‑specific duties may need additional detail.
- 5Not confirmed in official source: how the template interacts with award classification.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant
1 items
Full name (and representative, if any), postal address, email, and phone number of the person or organisation lodging the application.
Respondent
1 items
The exact legal name and ABN of the employer or other party the application is made against.
The Matter
2 items
Identify the kind of matter — for example, unfair dismissal, general protections, or an agreement application.
A clear description of what happened, relevant dates, and the outcome you are seeking.
Dates
1 items
Relevant dates such as the date of dismissal or the date the issue arose — these determine whether you are within time.
Supporting
1 items
Any documents that support your application, such as letters, contracts, or notices.
Declaration
1 items
Sign and date the form. Applications may also require a fee or an application for a fee waiver.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The Job description template was last updated in January 2023 and is the current version available on fairwork.gov.au/templates.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Confirm you have downloaded the latest version from fairwork.gov.au/templates.
- Check the “Last updated” date on the template (January 2023).
- Verify that the checklist steps (Define the job, Decide employment type, Write description, Use other resources) are present.
- Ensure any website links (e.g., fairwork.gov.au/hiring) still work.
- Not confirmed in official source: specific changes between versions.
Quick Facts
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCTemplate last updated January 2023verified from page 1.
- SRCChecklist steps (Define the job, Decide employment type, Write description, Use other resources)verified from page 2.
- SRCSuggested resources and website linksverified from page 1 and page 2.
- SRCSection headings for location, supervisor, duties, qualifications, experience, skills, performance goalsverified from page 3.
- SRCInstruction to keep a copy for recordsverified from page 3.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact legal status of the template.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: any mandatory filing location or electronic submission portal.
Common confusion points
Leaving template placeholder text (e.g., <What skills are needed>) in the final version.
Mixing up employment type decisions with award classifications.
Omitting the primary location or travel requirements.
Not specifying whether the role is full‑time, part‑time, casual or fixed‑term.
Failing to include performance goals.
Using an outdated version of the template.
Assuming the template replaces a formal employment contract.
Skipping the step to talk to the reporting manager for duty details.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Australian Government Forms
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