The DHHS Authorised Officers Recruitment Case Study

Providing rapid workforce support to protect public health across Melbourne

During the height of Melbourne’s COVID-19 outbreak, the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) required immediate access to a large, compliant and capable workforce to assist with the enforcement of quarantine and public health directives.

Drawing on a long-standing partnership with the Victorian Government, McArthur was asked to recruit and deploy more than 100 Authorised Officers with strong compliance, safety and negotiation skills to manage Direction and Detention notices at airports and quarantine hotels.

As the situation escalated, the scope of the project expanded to include a further 200 roles supporting ADF-led door-knocking operations and enhanced screening programs.

The Challenge: High-Volume Recruitment Under Pressure

This large-scale recruitment effort took place under extraordinary circumstances. The McArthur team had to rapidly source, screen, and mobilise qualified candidates while navigating:

• Tight timeframes and changing health directives.
• Remote recruitment and screening processes under Stage 3 and Stage 4 lockdown restrictions.
• Evolving operational needs across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
• Continuous scrutiny from public, political and media sources following the initial hotel quarantine program.

Despite these challenges, McArthur maintained full compliance with COVID-19 risk management and workforce readiness protocols, including in-depth screening, preparedness programs, attitude and resilience checks, and verification of police and Working with Children Checks.

McArthur’s Solution: Strategic Government Workforce Delivery

Leveraging decades of public sector recruitment expertise, McArthur developed a rapid-response workforce strategy tailored to DHHS’s evolving requirements.

Our approach included:

• Mobilising specialist government recruiters experienced in high-volume and compliance-based placements.
• Coordinating with ADF and DHHS teams to deploy Authorised Officers and support staff across critical sites.
• Implementing a transparent reporting and communication process to manage risk and maintain accountability.
• Prioritising workforce safety, adaptability and professionalism in all placements.

Over a six-week period, 148 candidates were referred to DHHS, with 59 placed within the first two weeks and 55 commencing immediately in frontline roles, while another 48 remained in the recruitment pipeline.

The Outcome: Reliable Workforce Support Across Key Operations

McArthur’s deployed teams played an essential role in delivering on-the-ground public health compliance and community safety. Staff were successfully placed across three major operational areas:

• Melbourne Airport: Issuing international arrivals with detention notices under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act and explaining rights, responsibilities and penalties.
• Melbourne CBD Quarantine Hotels: Overseeing compliance in designated quarantine facilities, maintaining calm communication, and working collaboratively with Victoria Police.
• Door-Knock Checks: Supporting ADF-led operations by conducting home compliance checks for returned travellers and quarantined individuals.

These efforts provided DHHS with a flexible, high-performing workforce capable of responding to rapid changes in health policy and operational needs.

Supporting Australia’s Public Health and Government Workforce

McArthur continues to support all levels of government with recruitment, workforce planning and HR consulting solutions designed for complex environments.

Whether supporting a public health initiative, emergency response, or compliance program, McArthur delivers the right people qualified, prepared and ready to serve.

Follow the link below to find out more about the project, our solutions and the outcome for the DHHS authorised officers project.