Why work for us
“It’s great working for a department that supports my career as well as my family commitments.” Kelli Cowley, Graphic Designer
A competitive salary and salary packaging
At the Department of Communities you are appointed to a particular level depending on your qualifications and experience.
The department also offers salary packaging for items such as superannuation contributions, motor vehicle leasing and notebook computers.
Flexible working hours
Your hours of duty will vary depending on your occupation and type of employment you are in. Some staff are employed on a roster, others may have variable hours and sometimes staff might have to work outside these core business hours. If you do work outside of these business hours, the department has flexible working arrangements including time off in lieu.
Flexible recreation leave
You will normally receive 20 working days per year for recreation leave plus 17.5 per cent leave loading. This can vary in remote regions, for example, in northern Queensland you will receive recreation leave of 25 working days per year plus 14 per cent leave loading.
Shift workers receive 25 working days per year plus 27.5 per cent leave loading.
Recreation leave may also be taken at half pay.
Sick leave
You will be eligible for 10 working days sick leave each year on full pay that accumulates if not taken. This leave may be accessed for caring responsibilities of immediate family or household members.
Purchased leave
Eligible employees can apply for an extra six weeks leave per year. It is technically a period of leave that would normally be without salary, however, through fortnightly deductions money is set aside to fund the extra leave.
Paid maternity/adoption leave
Eligible employees will be entitled to 12 weeks paid maternity/adoption leave.
Parental leave
In addition to the paid maternity leave, an employee may be granted up to two years parental leave (inclusive of the 12 weeks paid leave) to be their child’s primary carer.
Our employees may also apply to work part-time until their children start school.
Equal employment opportunities
The Department of Communities is an equal employment opportunity employer and is strongly committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the Queensland community.
Flexible long service leave
You accumulate long service leave at the rate of 1.3 weeks per year of service. Normally, you will be eligible for long service leave after 10 years. You may be permitted to take long service leave for a pro-rata period after seven years continuous service. Long service leave may be taken on half pay.
Additional entitlements
Some positions within the department have specific conditions depending on your type of employment, for example, full-time, part-time or casual. Further information about specific entitlements is made available to all job applicants.
(Leave entitlements quoted are for full-time employment. Entitlements for part-time employment are calculated on a pro-rata basis.)
Support for work and life balance
At the Department of Communities, we think it is important to help employees balance their work and life responsibilities. We do this through supportive work policies and flexible work options, including part-time work, job sharing and a range of leave options.
Professional development
The Department of Communities offers learning and professional development opportunities throughout your career. Our learning and development program allows staff to keep their skills up-to-date so they can provide the best support possible to people in need.
The Department’s Learning and Organisational Development Strategy 2006-2011 provides a commitment to improving our staff’s capabilities, attracting new staff and delivering better outcomes for our clients.
Mentoring and supervision opportunities are also available.
Study and research assistance
We value your decision to undertake study or research to further develop your skills. If you are studying, or plan to study, you may be entitled to receive leave assistance and/or an education allowance.
The Study and Research Assistance Scheme supports employees who undertake further education, provided that the area of study or research is relevant to the services we provide and is linked to our strategic outcomes.
A commitment to workplace health and safety
The department is committed to ensuring systems are in place that provide for a safe and healthy workplace for its staff, clients and individuals who may be affected by a departmental workplace activity or service.
Competitive superannuation
QSuper is the superannuation scheme provided by the Queensland Government for its employees. It is a co-contributory scheme and you can contribute between two per cent and five per cent of your salary. This is matched by the compulsory employer contribution of between nine per cent and 12.75 per cent. You can also make voluntary contributions, choose to salary sacrifice, transfer money from other funds or make and receive spousal contributions. As a member of this fund, insurance for income protection, and total and permanent disability is automatically provided. Further information can be obtained by calling QSuper on 1300 360 750 or via their website www.qsuper.qld.gov.au
The Employee Assistance Service
Staff have access to confidential free counselling to resolve problems that are affecting their work through an Employee Assistance Service.
Criminal History Checks
Under the Family Services Act 1987, persons seeking engagement in this department are required to disclose their criminal history (including convictions that are not recorded) and/or charges at the time of interview. A criminal conviction or charge will not automatically exclude an applicant from consideration for employment with the department. Criminal history checks will be undertaken by the department on the preferred applicant(s).
The department can also obtain information from the Queensland Police Service about whether an applicant is under investigation for a serious offence.
Last updated: 30 June 2008.