Information for Candidates
Why choose Local Government Appointments?
Local Government Appointments has established itself as a Specialist Local Government Employment Agency with the provision of permanent placements services and contract professional and technical staff throughout New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Click here for location details.
- The Company averages in excess of 200 casual employees within Local Government each week, providing over 400,000 employee hours each year
- Five Permanent positions within Local Government filled by Local Government Appointments each week
- We cover the full range of Council activities from labouring positions to executive management. Click here to view the list of current vacancies
- We are major sponsors of Local Government conferences in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia and general sponsors of many other regional Local Government seminars
- We are recognised by the professional associations aligned to the Local Government industry and highly respected by our large client base.
Permanent Career Opportunities
Local Government Appointments is the employment agency of choice when Councils consider outsourcing their permanent recruitment.
We receive job orders throughout New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia for most types of technical and professional positions including: Senior Management, Corporate Services, Civil Engineering, Environmental Health, Building Certification, Planning & Development, Finance, Community and Economic Development, Local Laws, Human Resources and Workplace Health & Safety.
Temporary/Contract Opportunities
Advantages of being a Temp?
We can offer you work in a variety of locations including metropolitan and country. Working 1,000km from home can be fun and travelling to a remote or rural location for a short time can be just the tonic for hardworking city folk.
Most rural councils will provide accommodation in the town. Travel expenses at the beginning and at the end of the assignment are included.
What awaits the traveller is a new experience; a working environment where he or she can make a difference; time to save a bit of money; time to make some new friends and add some great experience to your skill levels.
- Each temp assignment will increase your knowledge and skills
- You are given exposure to different working environments and opportunities
- You can choose the assignments you take according to your own requirements
- We work as a team to make sure that it does add value!
- Make sure you add details of each assignment to your resume, including what the objectives were and how you achieved them
- Perform well and acquire a new, favourable referee from each job you complete
How much say will I get in where I will work?
As work is listed with us that meets your skills and experience, we will contact you and provide details of the assignment. It is your decision to have your interest relayed to the Council.
How long are the assignments?
Assignments can vary from a few days, to weeks and months depending on the needs of the individual Council.
The assignment could be for a one-off project, to cover for maternity leave, because of extra workloads, while filling a vacancy, sick leave, workers compensation or long service leave.
Am I treated as an Employee?
YES! Being a Local Government Appointments temporary employee requires as much if not more professionalism as a permanent employee. Your success as our employee is based on how well you adapt your skills, experience and personality to various work settings and environments by demonstrating flexibility, availability and reliability.
How do I register?
You need to provide us with an up to date copy of your resume and details of referees along with an outline of the type of position you are seeking including location and salary. You can email, fax or post your details to us (email is preferred). Click here for contact details
Once we have these, we will contact you to complete an Application Form, Privacy Statement and other normal personnel information. Or you can download (Click here) these from our web site and then send the completed forms to us.
We ensure that your privacy and confidentiality are maintained at all times.
Welcome to the Team
At Local Government Appointments we recognise the valuable contribution our temporary and contract staff make to our ongoing success and reputation. We ask that you apply this same level of respect and recognition to our Host Employer clients that you visit and give them your 100% effort.
We will do our very best to match your skills, interests and career objectives to positions which are made available through Local Government Appointments.
Local Government Appointments specialises in the provision of employment services to Local Government. The organisation commenced in Western Australia in 1995 and has since expanded to meet the demands of Local Government in New South Wales and Queensland.
Local Government Appointments provides professional employment services across all levels of Local Government including Executive Management, Corporate Services, Accounting, Health, Building, Town Planning, Engineering, Local Laws, Trades, Administration, Rates, Plant Operations, Field Workers and many other areas.
If you're ultimately looking for a permanent position, Local Government Appointments is a valuable starting pointfor your job search. Many of our temporary/contract employees are considered for permanent jobs after successfully completing an assignment. You will be given priority attention by our Consultants for any available permanent positions.
We hope that you enjoy your assignment and we look forward to working with you.
On Assignment
- Create a great impression
Every assignment is a potential new reference for you and may lead to more work or a permanent job offer in the future! - Be on time
In fact, try to be a little early on the first day of a new assignment - Introduce yourself to co-workers
When you meet new people, a warm professional attitude is the best way to fit in - Dress appropriately for each assignment
If you have any doubts or questions about what to expect, ask one of Local Government Appointments' Consultants - Clarify policy
Ask your supervisor when it is convenient to take your lunch break - do not assume. Also check the length of your lunch break - Don't be afraid to ask questions
If you have any queries concerning the tasks you are given or about the council's facilities don't hesitate to ask your supervisor - Keep Local Government Appointments informed
If you have any queries or problems in general or if your duties change, call a Consultant at Local Government Appointments immediately. Keep your Consultant's business card with you at all times for this purpose. As soon as you know you are finishing an assignment, advise your Consultant - Be flexible
Do your best to adapt to the environment and procedures of each workplace. This may encourage the client to ask for you for future assignments - Be alert to opportunities
If you have spare time, approach your supervisor and seek more work or offer to help others where it might be useful. Ask if another department needs assistance - Absence from work
If you are unable to report to work due to illness or any other reason you are required to contact both your direct supervisor and Local Government Appointments as early in the day as possible - Additional work hours
Always get approval from your direct supervisor before you work any additional hours of work, and ensure you inform Local Government Appointments. This will ensure that you receive the additional pay for the extra hours of work - Internet, Telephone & Email use
All telephone, facsimile, email and internet use must relate to the commercial activities of the Host Employer. Personal mobile phone calls should occur strictly during a break - not on time billed to the Host Employer. Keep your personal mobile phone turned off at work. Downloading inappropriate material such as pornography from the internet is considered an act of serious misconduct and will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal - Direct offers of employment
In accordance with our Code of Conduct, you are required to notify a Local Government Appointments Consultant immediately should you be offered employment either through your current or previous assignments, or from an outside source. This is to ensure that the payroll is processed accurately and a replacement employee can be sourced if required - Workers' Compensation
Whilst on assignment with Local Government Appointments you are covered for workers' compensation insurance (this excludes contractors) - Superannuation
Superannuation contributions are paid as required (this excludes contractors) - Availability
If your circumstances change or you work privately, as a matter of courtesy please advise your Local Government Appointments Consultant as soon as possible. In addition, always update your resume and provide Local Government Appointments with a copy.
How Do I Get Paid
You will be paid an agreed hourly rate for each assignment, determined by our client's work requirements, your skills, prevailing Award or Agreement rates that are applicable and location of the client (i.e. if you are required to travel to a remote location). Your hourly rate may vary from assignment to assignment. Your Local Government Appointments Consultant will tell you the rate applicable before you accept an assignment.
You are required to provide your bank account details and complete the Tax File Number Declaration on the attached forms and return them to our office before your pay can be processed. If you are using an ABN number you are required to provide us with your ABN number, business name and bank account details as well as copies of your professional indemnity and public liability insurance details.
In addition, Local Government Appointments pays the required superannuation benefits into a superannuation fund at the end of each month (this excludes contractors). Please complete the form at the back of the enclosed superannuation booklet or complete the super choice form.
Local Government Appointments processes and directly deposits your pay into your account on a weekly basis.
Your pay will be available to you on Wednesday morning following the week you have worked*. You'll then be able to withdraw cash or write cheques against it immediately. A payslip will be sent to you after each payroll has been processed.
You will be sent a Payment Summary at the end of the financial year showing your gross earnings and tax deducted whilst employed by us.
It is important to advise us if you change your address at any time during the year, even if you are not currently working for us.
* Except where public holidays or bank disruptions may affect this.
Workplace Health & Safety Policy
Policy Objectives
Local Government Appointments is committed to ensuring a healthy and safe work environment for all personnel. This will be achieved by adopting and promoting the provisions of the Workplace Health & Safety Legislation and ensuring that Host Employers provide instructions, training, supervision, care and control to ensure the health and safety of all employees and others.Policy Requirements
All employees are required to have:
- Induction and training in safety and work practices
- Supervision, care and control by the supervisors in the workplace
- Safe systems of work
- Safe access to work
- Safe and healthy workplaces
- Safe plant and equipment
Obligations: Local Government Appointments
As an employer, we will take all practicable steps to:
- Ensure that our staff and the Host Employer are familiar with the legislation
- Ensure that our staff and the Host Employer can discharge the safety obligations
- Ensure that we and the Host Employer have systems and processes in place to prevent injury in the Host Employers' workplaces
- Ensure that the Host Employer has appointed a workplace health & safety officer
- Ensure that the Host Employer has systems and processes in place to identify hazards, assess risks, identify, implement, monitor and review control measures and ensure that our on-hired employees are given proper training and supervision
Employee
You have a responsibility to your employer, yourself, your family, your work mates and the public to carry out your duties in accordance with safe working practices. You have the closest contact with the jobsite and play an important role in the Workplace Health & Safety program. Your responsibilities include the following:
- Participate in required induction and training programs
- Carry out all allocated tasks in a responsible manner and in accordance with all rules, regulations and practices
- Comply with the instructions given for workplace health and safety by the Host Employer or principal contractor
- Operate only machinery and tools that you have been trained to operate
- Report any defective machinery or tools to your supervisor
- Report any unsafe or near miss incidents in the workplace to your supervisor
- Report all injuries immediately to your supervisor and to Local Government Appointments
- Be Safety alert at all times
- Keep the workplace in a clean and tidy state at all times
- Ensure that safety/protective equipment is used as directed
- Observe all health & safety related Acts and Regulations, instructions and Local Government Appointments' policies and procedures
- DO NOT attempt any task unless you have been trained and you are competent to do it
- DO NOT willfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything at a workplace or place any person at risk, including yourself
- Must possess and continue to possess all licences and accreditations that are required to do the work.
Host Employer
The Host Employer has the primary responsibility for the safety of your workplace and the supervision, care and control of you at work. The Host Employer will:
- Ensure they are familiar with the legislation
- Ensure they can discharge their safety obligations
- Ensure they have systems and processes in place to prevent injury in their workplaces
- Ensure they have appointed a workplace health & safety officer
- Ensure they have systems and processes in place to identify hazards, assess risks, identify, implement, monitor and review control measures
- Ensure you are given proper training, supervision and safety
- Supply job and site-specific protective clothing and equipment
- Implement and maintain a workplace health & safety system.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Policy Objective
- Local Government Appointments is committed to meeting its obligations under anti-discrimination legislation which requires that employment policies and practices be free from discrimination
- To meet the Equal Employment Opportunity aims of equal access to opportunity for all people, fair treatment, and the selection of the best person for the job
- To ensure that all forms of discrimination are dealt with in accordance with due process.
Policy Requirements
Local Government Appointments is an equal opportunity employer. All employees are treated on their merits, without regard to race, age, sex, marital status or any other factor not applicable to the position.
Local Government Appointments does not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment. We believe all employees have the right to work in an environment free of discrimination and harassment. Discrimination undermines proper working relationships and may cause low morale, absenteeism and resignations.
Under Federal and State anti-discrimination laws, discrimination in employment on the following grounds is against the law:
- Marital Status
- Sex
- Religion
- Impairment
- Parental Status
- Social Origin
- Pregnancy
- Race
- Political Belief and Activity
- Lawful Sexual Activity
- Trade Union Activity
- Age
Sexual harassment is also against the law.
All staff must ensure that all employees re treated equitably and are not subject to discrimination. They must also ensure that people who make complaints, or itnesses, are not victimised in any way.
Any reports of discrimination or harassment will be treated seriously and investigated promptly, confidentially and impartially. Disciplinary action will be taken against anyone who discriminates against a co-worker.
Discipline may involve a warning, transfer, counselling, demotion or dismissal, depending on the circumstances. Local Government Appointments integrates equal opportunity principles within all its decisions and operations.
Equity & Diversity
The principles will be adhered to through the following commitments:
- Foster services and work environments which value and respond to the rich diversity of the community
- Provide equal opportunity by removing barriers to participation and progression in employment and training so that all personnel have the opportunity to fully contribute
- Promote clear and accountable recruitment and employment policies and practices to foster trust between Local Government Appointments, personnel and Host Employers
- Ensure that personnel are aware of their rights and their responsibilities as Local Government Appointments' employees
To achieve these goals, Local Government Appointments depends on the continued co-operation of all personnel and Host Employers.
The Manager is responsible for compliance with all relevant legislation and is assisted by the Recruitment Consultants.
Casual Employee Declaration/Code of Conduct
- I am an Australian Resident and/or hold a visa permitting me to work.
- My remuneration by Local Government Appointments as a Casual Employee is on an hourly basis depending on assignment offered and according to my classification, and is subject to all relevant provisions of the relevant Award or Agreement.
- I understand that I will be employed as a Casual Employee under the relevant State or Federal Awards or Agreement where applicable. I have been informed of the relevant Award/s or Agreement by my Local Government Appointments Consultant.
- I understand Local Government Appointments will only offer me assignments for which I am qualified and I may accept or refuse such offers. I agree that to the best of my ability I will complete each assignment that I accept.
- I acknowledge that each assignment is a separate period of employment and that Local Government Appointments does not control the length of any assignment. I understand that the Host Employer may vary the assignment at one hour's notice or as allowed for under the relevant Award or Agreement.
- Payment for my work will be made by Local Government Appointments on a weekly basis only on receipt of a Local Government Appointments time sheet, correctly completed and with appropriate authorisation by an approved Host Employer supervisor, or by some other method defined by Local Government Appointments.
- Future payments may be adjusted should actual working hours or other details differ from the information provided on authorised timesheets received by Local Government Appointments and I further agree to allow Local Government Appointments to deduct any overpayment from future payments.
- I understand I will be entitled to receive superannuation after I have worked the qualifying hours or after receiving the minimum monthly wage as set down in the superannuation guarantee legislation (this excludes contractors).
- If applicable, additional work hours and allowances will be calculated according to the relevant Award or Agreement. Annual leave, public holidays and sick days are not paid as I am compensated by the casual loading in my hourly rate.
- I acknowledge that I am under the care and supervision of the Host Employer during the period of any assignment in regard to defined working hours, safety regulations and the manner and proficiency in which my work is to be performed.
- I understand I am covered by workers' compensation insurance (this excludes contractors). I agree that in the event of any injury occurring during an assignment, I will contact Local Government Appointments' office with details immediately.
- I agree not to seek or accept a direct offer of temporary or permanent employment from any employer to whom I am introduced by Local Government Appointments without first notifying Local Government Appointments. I understand that Local Government Appointments has a contract with Host Employers whom they introduce me to and that fees may be applicable to that Host Employer should they employ me directly.
- I agree to keep confidential any information acquired during the course of an assignment.
- I understand that I am obliged to follow all appropriate dress and personal presentation requirements.
- I understand it is my responsibility to be aware of and comply with all safety requirements of Local Government Appointments and the Host Employer.
- I am aware that I am not permitted to drive vehicles or operate machinery without the appropriate license or tickets.
- I am aware that I am not to consume alcohol or drugs before or during work.
