Guidelines for Candidate Use of AI in Recruitment Processes

Scope

These guidelines apply to all individuals applying for employment opportunities at Comcare, including current and prospective staff. They cover all stages of the recruitment process—from preparing written applications to participating in interviews and completing assessments.

As AI technologies continue to evolve, Comcare may review and update these guidelines to ensure they remain relevant, fair and effective.

How Comcare uses AI in recruitment

To support transparency, Comcare acknowledges that AI may be used in limited ways during recruitment processes.
Comcare may use AI tools to support administrative efficiencies, such as:

• Drafting job advertisements
• Preparing candidate information packs or recruitment materials

Comcare does not use AI to make decisions about candidates. This includes not using AI to assess, screen or rank applications or résumés.

All decisions relating to shortlisting, assessment and selection are made by a human selection panel, in accordance with APS merit-based recruitment principles.

What we expect from you

We recognise that AI tools can assist candidates during the recruitment process. However, candidates are expected to participate honestly, ethically and with integrity.

Comcare recruitment activities are guided by the APS Values and Employment Principles, which emphasise merit, impartiality, accountability and ethical behaviour.

To support a fair and merit-based process, candidates are expected to:

• Accurately represent their skills, experience and capabilities
• Use AI tools responsibly and in line with APS Values
• Ensure submitted work reflects their own knowledge, judgement and understanding
• Take responsibility for the content, quality and accuracy of their application

Using AI in a way that misrepresents your capabilities or compromises the integrity of the recruitment process may affect your application outcome.

Expectations when applying

Be honest

Only include information that genuinely reflects your own skills, experience and achievements. Use your own knowledge and understanding when responding to written applications, assessments and interview questions.

Be transparent

If you use AI tools, you must disclose this if requested. You may be asked to explain how AI was used to support your application. This helps ensure consistency and fairness in assessment.

Be yourself

Comcare wants to understand your individual strengths and what you can contribute. While AI may support preparation, you must demonstrate your own capabilities during interviews and skills-based assessments without AI assistance.

Be fair

Inappropriate use of AI may provide an unfair advantage and is inconsistent with APS merit-based recruitment principles. All candidates are expected to compete on equal terms.

Risks of using AI in recruitment

Using AI tools can be helpful, but it also presents risks. Understanding these risks will help ensure your application reflects your true capabilities.

Misrepresentation

AI-generated content may overstate your experience or capability. Any gaps are likely to become evident during interviews or assessments.

Skills gaps

Over-reliance on AI may mask areas where your knowledge or experience is limited, making it harder to demonstrate competence when assessed directly.

Over-reliance on AI

Heavy reliance on AI may affect your ability to explain your thinking, respond to questions confidently or demonstrate understanding in real time.

Loss of individual perspective

AI-assisted responses may sound generic or overly polished, reducing your ability to clearly convey your personal perspective, motivation and suitability.

Inaccurate or misleading information

AI tools can produce incorrect or incomplete information. Including inaccuracies may reduce the credibility of your application.

Data privacy risks

Entering personal or sensitive information into publicly available AI tools may create privacy and data security risks. Candidates should carefully consider what information they share and review the terms and privacy settings of any tool they use.

Additional considerations for Comcare staff

Current Comcare employees must ensure that any information entered into publicly available AI tools is appropriate for public release and complies with Comcare policies, as well as relevant APS policies regarding the use of generative AI technologies.