The Only Job Description Template Australia Needs (+ How to Use It)

Heather Barbour Fenty
Latest posts by Heather Barbour Fenty (see all)

Writing job descriptions from scratch is painful. Reusing old ones that sound like they were written in 2005? Just as bad.

If you’re tired of wasting time or dealing with messy, inconsistent hiring docs, you’re not alone. That’s why I put together this post — to share the only job description template Australia really needs.

Whether you’re in talent acquisition, recruitment, or a hiring manager trying to get it done fast, this post will help you create a job ad that works: clear, inclusive, and easy to reuse across your roles.

Why a Job Description Template Matters (Especially in Australia)

A good job description isn’t just a formality. It helps you:

  • Attract the right candidates
  • Set clear expectations for the role
  • Stay compliant with Australia’s employment laws
  • Avoid bias and exclusionary language
  • Save hours of writing and re-approvals

In Australia, where hiring laws vary by state and inclusivity is top of mind, a consistent, editable job description template gives your team a reliable foundation — instead of rewriting for every open role.

What Should a Job Description Template Include?

Here’s what every solid JD should contain:

  • Job Title – Clear, searchable, no fluff.
  • Summary – 2–3 lines explaining what the role is and why it matters.
  • Key Responsibilities – Bullet points only. Start each with a verb.
  • Must-Have Skills/Experience – What they truly need.
  • Nice-to-Haves – Optional but helpful traits.
  • Location & Work Type – Onsite, hybrid, or remote? List it.
  • Salary – If you can list a range, do it.
  • Benefits – Annual leave, flexibility, bonus, etc.
  • Diversity & Inclusion – One or two lines showing you welcome all backgrounds.

A Copy-Paste Job Description Template (Australia-Ready)


Job Title: [Job Title Here]

Location: [City, State] | [Remote/Hybrid/Onsite]

Employment Type: [Full-time/Part-time/Contract]

About the Role:  
In this role, you’ll [impact statement — e.g., “help our customers get fast answers to their questions”]. You’ll work closely with [team or function] and play a key part in [goal or purpose].

Key Responsibilities:
- Manage...
- Collaborate with...
- Improve...

Must-Have Skills & Experience:
- Experience with...
- [List only what’s truly essential]

Nice to Have:
- Exposure to...
- Familiarity with...

Salary: [$X – $Y AUD per year]  
Benefits: [List perks, e.g. “5 weeks of annual leave, flexible work schedule, bonus scheme”]

Diversity & Inclusion:  
We’re committed to building a team that reflects Australia’s diverse communities. If you need accommodations during the hiring process, just let us know.

Biased vs. Inclusive JD Examples (What to Watch For)

Problem Biased Language Inclusive Fix
Gendered Words We’re looking for a competitive, assertive leader We’re looking for a team member who builds trust
Age Bias Perfect for recent grads Open to early-career professionals
Ability Bias Must be able to lift 25kg This role may require lifting (accommodations available)
Vagueness Must have strong communication skills Must be able to write clearly and present updates to the team

Using Smart JD Templates to Speed Things Up

ongig smart job description template example

If you’ve ever tried to templatise job descriptions with a shared doc or spreadsheet, you already know: it gets messy fast.

That’s why I use Ongig’s Smart Job Description Templates to manage the process without the chaos.

Here’s how it helps:

  • One Source of Truth – Everyone pulls from the same templates, not random old docs
  • Australian Language Flags – Ongig flags custom biased terms common in Aussie job ads
  • AI Rewrite Suggestions – Need to make a JD clearer or more inclusive? Ongig’s AI does this with a couple of clicks
  • Approval Workflows – Share, edit, and approve templates across hiring teams without email chains

You can see how Ongig supports templates and inclusive language in this post or book a demo.

FAQs: Job Description Templates in Australia

Should I include salary in job descriptions?

Yes, if you can. Candidates trust transparent employers. Even a range helps.

Do I need different templates for different roles?

It helps. Create base templates by job family (e.g., sales, tech, admin) and tweak from there.

What about legal compliance?

In Australia, avoid discriminatory language, and make sure your JD aligns with Fair Work Act rules. When in doubt, run it by legal or HR.

Is there a difference between a JD and a job ad?

Yes. A JD is the internal doc — a job ad is what you post publicly. But using a good template makes writing both easier.

Why I Wrote This:

A good job description template won’t write the whole ad for you — but it will give you a solid, bias-free starting point that saves time and sets candidates up for success.

If you’re tired of messy workflows, outdated docs, or guessing at what to include, this job description template is your new best friend.

Want to templatise your hiring process without spreadsheets?
Try Ongig’s Smart Templates, book a demo to see it in action.

by in Job Descriptions