War Service (Preference in Employment) Act 1943

Notwithstanding any other enactment, whenever an appointment is to be made to an office or employment under the Government of the State, and a member of a fighting force or an Australian seaman as well as other persons are applicants for that office or employment, the appointing authority shall appoint a member of a fighting force or an Australian seaman to that office or employment in preference to other persons unless reasonable and substantial cause exists for not doing so.

In determining whether reasonable and substantial cause exists for not appointing a member of a fighting force or an Australian seaman, the appointing authority shall consider—

the length, locality, and nature of the service of the member of a fighting force, or as the case may be, of the Australian seaman;

the comparative qualifications of a member of a fighting force or of the Australian seaman and of the other applicants for the office or employment;

any other relevant circumstances.