Key selection criteria (KSC) are the skills, knowledge and experience an employer lists as essential for a role, and many Australian government, education and health jobs ask you to respond to each one in writing. This guide shows how to structure strong responses with the STAR method, with full worked examples you can adapt.
What are key selection criteria?
Selection criteria appear in the position description or job pack. They usually start with phrases such as "Demonstrated ability to...", "Proven experience in..." or "Knowledge of...". Panels score each response, often before they read your resume closely, so weak responses can end your application early.
| Type | Example criterion |
|---|---|
| Skill or ability | Demonstrated high-level written and verbal communication skills |
| Experience | Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment |
| Knowledge | Knowledge of work health and safety obligations |
| Qualification | A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline (often a simple yes, with evidence) |
Check the format first
Requirements vary. Some roles want a separate response of a set length for each criterion; others, including many Australian Public Service positions, ask for a short pitch or statement of claims of one to two pages covering the key requirements. Read the job pack carefully and follow its word or page limits exactly. If no limit is given, around 250–350 words per criterion is a common, manageable length.
The STAR method for selection criteria
| Step | What to write |
|---|---|
| Situation | The context, briefly: where you were and what was happening |
| Task | Your responsibility or the challenge |
| Action | What you did, in detail; this should be the longest part |
| Result | The outcome, with evidence or numbers where possible |
Open each response with a one-sentence statement that directly claims the criterion, then prove it with one or two STAR examples.
Worked example 1: communication skills
Criterion: Demonstrated high-level written and verbal communication skills.
I communicate clearly and adapt my style to different audiences, from community members to senior executives.
Situation: As a project officer at a regional council, I supported a consultation on changes to waste collection that affected 14,000 households.
Task: I was responsible for explaining the changes in plain language and responding to community questions.
Action: I wrote a two-page fact sheet and FAQ reviewed by our communications team, presented at three community information sessions, and drafted template email responses so the customer service team could answer consistently. I also briefed councillors with a one-page summary of the main concerns raised.
Result: Complaints during rollout were lower than the council had planned for, and the FAQ was reused for two later service changes.
Worked example 2: managing competing priorities
Criterion: Proven ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
I plan my workload carefully and communicate early when priorities clash.
Situation: In my role as an administration officer in a busy school, end-of-term reporting coincided with enrolment processing for the following year.
Task: I needed to finalise 600 student reports for printing while processing about 90 enrolment applications within two weeks.
Action: I mapped every deadline in a shared calendar, agreed priorities with the business manager, blocked out time each morning for reports and handled enrolments in the afternoons. When a printing delay arose, I told teachers immediately and adjusted the schedule.
Result: All reports were sent on time and every enrolment was processed before the deadline.
These are illustrative structures. Replace every detail with your own real experience; panels often check examples at interview.
Tips that lift your score
- Mirror the criterion's wording in your opening sentence.
- Use recent, relevant examples, ideally from the last five years.
- Write "I", not "we". The panel is assessing your contribution.
- Quantify where you can: numbers of people, budgets, timeframes, results.
- Use headings for each criterion so the panel can find your response quickly.
- Do not copy generic responses; panels read many and notice.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a selection criteria response be?
Follow the job pack. Without a limit, around 250–350 words per criterion is common; a whole statement of claims is often limited to one or two pages.
What is the difference between STAR and CAR?
CAR (Context, Action, Result) combines situation and task into one step. Both work; choose one and use it consistently.
What if I have not done exactly what the criterion describes?
Use the closest transferable experience, including study, volunteering or other industries, and explain clearly how it applies.
Are selection criteria only for government jobs?
They are most common in government, education, health and not-for-profit roles, but some private employers use them too.
Conclusion
Strong selection criteria responses make a clear claim, prove it with a specific STAR example and respect the job pack's limits. Draft one example per criterion from your real experience, edit them carefully, and reuse the stories when you prepare for the interview.