Interview Questions
Department of Defence Interview Questions
Government · HQ Canberra · Updated 2026
The Department of Defence manages Australia's defence forces and national security. Interviews for government roles typically follow a structured format with panel assessments, focusing on technical expertise, behavioural competencies, and alignment with public service values.
This guide covers the questions candidates most commonly face at Department of Defence interviews — from first-round HR screens to behavioural and government-specific rounds — plus the values Department of Defence assesses against and how to practise before the real thing.
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HR & motivation questions
1.
Tell me about yourself and why you applied for this role.
2.
Why do you want to work for Department of Defence specifically, rather than one of our competitors?
3.
What do you know about our company, our products and the challenges we face?
4.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
5.
What are your salary expectations for this role?
6.
Why are you leaving your current position?
Behavioural questions
Answer every one of these with the STAR method — situation, task, action, result. See our STAR method guide for worked examples.
1.
Tell me about a time you had to deliver a piece of work under significant time pressure.
2.
Describe a situation where you disagreed with a colleague or manager. How did you resolve it?
3.
Give an example of a time you made a mistake at work. What did you do about it?
4.
Tell me about a time you had to learn something completely new to get a job done.
5.
Describe a situation where you had to influence someone without having authority over them.
6.
Tell me about a time you received difficult feedback. How did you respond?
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Government questions to expect
1.
Why do you want to work in the public service, and what does integrity in government work mean to you?
2.
Describe a time you had to apply a policy or rule you personally disagreed with.
3.
Tell me about a time you handled sensitive or confidential information.
4.
How do you deliver outcomes when priorities shift due to ministerial or policy changes?
5.
Give an example of providing frank and fearless advice to a senior stakeholder.
6.
How would you handle a member of the public who is frustrated with a decision you cannot change?
Frequently asked questions
What is the Department of Defence interview process like?
Most Department of Defence roles involve an online application, one or more interviews (often starting with a phone or video screen, sometimes an AI-assessed recorded interview), and a final interview with the hiring manager. Behavioural questions using the STAR method feature heavily at every stage.
What questions does Department of Defence ask in interviews?
Expect a mix of HR questions (why Department of Defence, tell me about yourself), behavioural questions about teamwork, pressure and conflict, and government-specific scenarios. The full lists on this page cover the most common of each.
How do I prepare for a Department of Defence interview?
Research Department of Defence's strategy and values, prepare 6–8 STAR stories that evidence them, and rehearse out loud. Interview Buddy's AI coach runs realistic Department of Defence-specific mock interviews and scores every answer.
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