The Canberra Times is seeking enterprising, audience-focused journalists to join our editorial team. We are looking to fill specialised rounds that form the bedrock of our subscription and engagement strategy including the public sector, education, healthcare and community news.
Whether you are an experienced specialist or a sharp early-career generalist looking to step into a defined beat, you will understand that modern journalism requires a sophisticated relationship with the audience. You will thrive on turning complex policy, community issues, and structural changes into indispensable, engaging content.
Our newsroom covers the issues that matter most to Canberra. Successful applicants will contribute to key thematic coverage areas that drive both civic impact and subscription value:
- Public Sector and government: Delivering deep utility and explanatory coverage for an aspirational public sector workforce. This reporting moves past daily announcements to provide the vital context and transparency that institutional insiders and the broader community rely on.
- Education: Shaping high-utility, deeply informative coverage of the K-12 and tertiary sectors, reporting closely on the policy, curriculum, and community shifts that matter most to families and educators across Canberra.
- Health: Examining our healthcare systems through a deeply human lens. Translating complex systemic issues into high-impact, relatable stories.
- Communities: Local reporting on issues that matter deeply to Canberrans. Human-focused reporting that champions and celebrates the people of our city.
We want storytellers who recognise that great journalism is a mix of instinct and audience intelligence. You will be a strong fit if you can demonstrate:
- Audience-first thinking: An understanding of what makes a story convert a casual reader into a loyal subscriber. You know how to shape a narrative based on what the reader actually requires from the story.
- Ability to execute a strategic brief: Comfort working alongside editorial leadership within a data-informed framework. You don’t just write what happened; you can adjust your reporting style to match strategic priorities and audience engagement goals.
- Impact over volume: A proven track record of moving beyond transactional breaking news or incremental updates. We value reporters who can look at a routine event and elevate it into an investigative asset, a comprehensive explanatory guide or a deeply moving profile.
- Sourcing: The ability to cultivate deep networks within specialised fields, break exclusive coverage and maintain high standards of accuracy under digital deadlines.
Please submit your resume, a brief cover letter outlining your reporting background and areas of expertise, and no more than three examples of work that demonstrate your ability to drive deep audience engagement or subscription value.
As the trusted voice for Canberra, The Canberra Times is part of ACM, Australia’s largest independent news publisher. The ACM network’s daily newspapers serve key regional population centres. ACM journalism is the journalism that regional Australians trust to keep their communities informed, connected and strong. No agendas. Just great stories.
We advocate Diversity and Inclusion
ACM embraces all aspects of diversity and inclusion and are committed to creating a workplace which reflects the incredibly diverse customers, audiences and communities we serve. Candidates from all backgrounds will receive equal consideration for the opportunity they apply for
Disability Accommodation
For individuals who need assistance at any point in the application and interview process please contact the ACM Jobs team via email – [email protected]
Disclaimer: Applicants must have the right to work in Australia. We do not accept unsolicited agency resumes. We are not responsible for fees related to unsolicited resumes.
