Capability application tool
The Capability application tool is designed to help job applicants understand and use the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework when applying for jobs with the NSW government.
The tool can help you better prepare for interviews by providing you with practice application and interview questions based on the focus capabilities listed in role descriptions.
The interview questions help you consider examples that show how you meet the focus capabilities. You can practice answering them using work examples, explaining what you did and how you did it.
Select the capability levels from the role description
In the drop-down boxes below, select the capability level (Foundational, Intermediate, Adept, Advanced or Highly Advanced) for each relevant capability from a NSW Government role description. We recommend choosing the focus capabilities which are essential to the role and assessed during recruitment.
Read the indicators and interview questions
Click submit to see the behavioural indicators and sample interview questions for the capability levels you selected. The indicators describe the behaviours that suggest effective performance at each capability level.
The questions are examples that might be asked in an interview to assess your skills and experience at the given capability. They are provided to help you think of scenarios relevant to the capability, they are not guaranteed to be asked in an interview.
Download indicators and interview questions
Download a printable PDF version of the behavioural indicators and interview questions so you can work on your application or practice before an interview. You can also email a copy to yourself.
Brainstorm responses to sample questions
Use verbs and adjectives from the behavioural indicators in your job application to describe how your experience relates to each focus capability.
Practice answering the sample questions by thinking of relevant examples from your recent work experience (could also include examples from your study or volunteer work).
Use a model like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or SAO (Situation, Action, Outcome) to structure your response.
Be specific and describe both 'what' you did and 'how' you did it to demonstrate that you have met the requirements of each capability.