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Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) is a not-for-profit organisation, providing First Nations people with accommodation, meals and a supportive environment while they are away from home to access medical services, education, employment or to attend to other family business.

To keep our hostels safe, in tip top condition and running efficiently, we are always on the lookout for great people who, like us, are committed to our vision of improving the quality of life and opportunities for First Nations people.

In return for your passion, you will work in a team of like-minded people who will help to nurture your personal growth and professional career development.

Careers

Explore Careers at AHL

APS4 and APS5

Assistant Hostel Managers and Hostel Managers

Location

Sydney, Newcastle, Tamworth, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Katherine, Darwin, Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy, Brisbane, Thursday Island, Mackay, Cairns, Townsville, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Adelaide, Perth, Broome, South Hedland and Kalgoorlie

Closing date

19 Apr 2026

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APS Level 4

Deputy Head of Boarding

Location

Tennant Creek, NT

Closing date

5 Apr 2026

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APS Level 2

Cook

Location

Newcastle, NSW

Closing date

5 Apr 2026

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APS2 - EL2

Temporary Employment Register - People and Corporate Branch

Location

All locations across Australia

Closing date

30 Jun 2026

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APS2 - EL2

Temporary Employment Register - Operations

Location

All locations across the hostel network

Closing date

30 Jun 2026

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Why work with AHL?

A career with us gives you the chance to contribute to providing a safe home away from home for First Nations people.

Join a passionate team

Work side by side with people who are committed to making our vision a reality.

Grow your career

Build your skills and abilities in a supportive environment.

Be heard

Feel respected and empowered knowing your voice matters.

Make a direct impact

See the impact of your work as we improve the health and wellbeing of First Nations people.

Be part of positive social change

Contribute to the national Closing the Gap agenda.

Be proud of what you do

Walk compassionately and respectfully with our residents as they make their journey.

Become part of our values driven AHL team

Whether you are just starting out, looking to build on an already successful career or seeking a new and rewarding opportunity, you can find an interesting and satisfying position with Aboriginal Hostels Limited.

We offer a diverse and inclusive workplace, with an attractive remuneration package including generous employer superannuation contributions (currently at 15.4%), Salary Packaging Program for employees, plus an additional benefit of up to $15,900 per FBT Year to salary sacrifice rent, mortgage or living expenses.

This benefit is available to eligible employees due to AHL's status as a Public Benevolent Institution. Casual employees and non-ongoing employees engaged for less than 3 months are not eligible.

Please read AHL's Enterprise Agreement to learn more.

Also read Section 24(1) — Aboriginal Hostels Limited (Non-SES Employees) Determination.

How we support you

In return for your passion and commitment, AHL offers a variety of benefits.

Flexible working arrangements

We promote a healthy work-life balance, your well-being and productivity is a priority.

Professional career development

Feel encouraged and supported to grow your career.

Assistance and support

Access our Employee Assistance Program to help meet personal or work-related challenges.

Diverse, inclusive workplace

Join a team that values different backgrounds, perspectives and abilities.

Added benefits

Relocation and remote living assistance, overtime and healthy living allowances and additional cultural leave may be available.

Financial flexibility

Reduce your taxable income with salary packaging options available.

Join our Temporary Employment Register

AHL’s Temporary Employment Register enables us to access appropriately skilled and experienced individuals at short notice for employment opportunities that come up.

By joining our Temporary Employment Register, you will be among the first to hear about our short-term job opportunities.

You can express your interest at any time.

For more information about how to add your details to the register, please see: Temporary Employment Register – Hostels and Temporary Employment Register - National Office and Operations.

Recruitment process

Recruitment in the Australian Public Service (APS) is based on merit, which means that the best person for the job is selected.

This is done by comparing and weighing up the skills, experience and attributes of each person.

As each role has different tasks, responsibilities and requirements, we use different methods to assess a person’s suitability. These may include written applications, interviews, group activities, behavioral assessment, work-sample tests and physical fitness testing.

Please keep reading to find out more about our recruitment process and information on different APS terminology.

Stage 1 – Preparation

It is important to make sure you read the position description or vacancy information carefully when deciding if you are going to apply for a job you have seen advertised. This will give you a good idea of the role, the work you will do, and the skills and experience you need to be successful.

All AHL staff must be Australian Citizens and undergo pre-employment checks.

Please phone the contact officer if you have any questions, including details of the position, the selection process, the work environment and any other questions you may have.

Stage 2 – Application form and resume

You must complete an application form and submit an up-to-date resume.

Your application form should include a one page explanation (a pitch), explaining why you are suitable for the role you are interested in. This is a chance to tell us why you want to work for AHL, why you are suited to the role and your understanding of First Nations culture and peoples, and issues affecting them.

To help with your pitch, take a close look at the vacancy information, mainly focusing on the information listed under ‘skills and experience required’.

Help with your resume

Help with your pitch

Stage 3 – Interviews and reference checks

Applicants who are considered suitable to move to the next stage are usually invited to attend an interview. These interviews may be done in person or by video, depending on your location.

Referee details are part of the information needed on your application form and are usually contacted at this stage.

Ideally your referee is someone who has directly supervised your work. It is also best practice, and polite, to make sure you tell your referee that you have applied for a role and given their details.

Help prepare for your interview

Stage 4 – Offer of employment

Applicants who are found suitable may be recommended for appointment. If you are found suitable but not the preferred candidate, you may be placed on the AHL order of merit until a similar vacancy becomes available.

Recommended applicants will be required to satisfy pre-employment checks prior to an offer of employment.

If you are not found suitable, you will notified by email. Individual feedback is available on request once the recruitment round is completed.

RecruitAbility scheme

RecruitAbility is a scheme that aims to attract and support applicants with disability and facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Applicants with a disability, who opt into the scheme and meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised under the scheme will advance to the next stage in the selection process. Merit remains the basis for engagement and promotion.

When applying, you do not need to provide further information about your disability.

More information

Bulk rounds

You may hear of a recruitment round being referred to as a bulk round. This means there are multiple roles available. However, a bulk round may also be used to set up a merit pool or merit list (these terms are normally interchangeable).

Merit pools

A merit pool is a list of people who have been through a full recruitment process and have been identified as suitable for the role or level they applied for.

Where an agency has established a merit list or pool from a merit-based selection process, it can be used to fill the same vacancy or similar vacancies within a period of 18 months from the date the initial vacancy was notified (advertised).

The availability of merit lists and pools provides flexibility for recruiters to select candidates to fill similar future vacancies quickly, and reduces the need to undertake multiple recruitment processes.

Our people

Jackson Beckley, Project Officer (QLD)

'I can go home at night happy, knowing I have made a real difference in someone’s life, helping give them a safe bed for the night and a good meal.

Over the last 17 years with AHL I have had the opportunity to build a real career. I started as a Night Attendant in the Elley Bennett Hostel and worked in a wide range of jobs and locations before being approached to move into my current role as a Project Officer supporting operations for all our QLD hostels.

I love how supported and encouraged I have been to build my skills and progress my career, transitioning from frontline hospitality into organisational operations. It’s a real family environment here where we are not only looking after the residents who stay with us, but also looking after each other.'

Looking for a job that makes a difference?

Explore Careers at AHL

Why work with AHL?

Join a passionate team

Grow your career

Be heard

Make a direct impact

Be part of positive social change

Be proud of what you do

Become part of our values driven AHL team

How we support you

Flexible working arrangements

Professional career development

Assistance and support

Diverse, inclusive workplace

Added benefits

Financial flexibility

Join our Temporary Employment Register

Recruitment process

Jackson Beckley, Project Officer (QLD)

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