Short answer
A supervised interview pod is a private, soundproofed booth at a staffed venue where a candidate sits a remote interview or assessment. Staff check the candidate's government ID, personal devices go into a locker and the pod computer runs only the employer's platform. The employer interviews as usual and receives a written integrity report afterwards.
Key takeaways
- Candidates sit the interview at a local venue, and the employer's panel joins remotely on its usual platform.
- Every candidate gets the same soundproofed pod, equipment and wired connection.
- Each session ends with a written integrity report covering ID, devices and any incidents.
- SmartVue sessions cost $50 to $60 each in Australia, compared with $400 to $900 to fly an interstate candidate in.
What happens during a supervised interview session?
The candidate books a time at a venue, checks in with staff and sits the interview in a prepared pod. The employer's process doesn't change.
- The employer sends a booking link. It goes from your applicant tracking system or inbox, and the candidate picks a venue and time.
- The candidate arrives with photo ID. Staff check a driver licence or passport against your candidate record.
- Devices go into a locker. Phones, smartwatches, earbuds and notes are secured before the session.
- The candidate sits the interview in the pod. The computer runs only your platform, and staff supervise throughout.
- You receive the integrity report. It arrives when the session closes, ready to attach to the candidate's record.
What's inside a supervised interview pod?
A SmartVue pod is a soundproofed booth with a desk, chair, monitor, camera, headset and a wired internet connection. The computer is locked down to the interview or assessment platform, with no other apps, browser extensions or screen overlays.
Every candidate uses the same setup, so differences in performance come from the candidate rather than their home internet, noise or equipment. If your assessment needs specific software, it's installed before the session.
What does the integrity report include?
The integrity report is a short written record that confirms who sat the interview and under what conditions.
- Check-in time and the venue used
- Whether the candidate's government photo ID matched your candidate record
- Which devices were secured in a locker
- Confirmation that the pod computer was locked to your interview platform
- Session start and end times, supervised throughout
- Any incidents, or "None recorded"
Sessions are recorded so they can be verified if a question comes up. Recordings are kept for 24 hours, then deleted. See a sample integrity report.
How much does a supervised interview cost?
SmartVue sessions cost $50 to $60 each, bought as a package of credits. One credit covers one interview, assessment or exam of up to 60 minutes, and an extra hour costs $20.
| Package | Price per session | Sessions | Credits valid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $60 | 10 ($600 total) | 6 months |
| Growth | $50 | 50 ($2,500 total) | 12 months |
| Enterprise | Custom | 200+ per year | By agreement |
For comparison, flying 20 interstate candidates to your office costs roughly $8,000 to $18,000 in flights and transfers alone. Running the same 20 interviews through SmartVue Growth costs $1,000. These are indicative Australian costs as of 2026. See full pricing.
Who uses supervised interview pods?
They suit any role where the employer needs confidence that the answers came from the candidate. Common uses include technical and coding interviews, regulated roles in financial services, large graduate cohorts and public sector merit-based hiring. They're also used for certification exams.
Where are SmartVue pods available?
SmartVue's first partner venue is 1Smart.Space in Docklands, Melbourne. Enterprise customers can request dedicated or reserved locations, and you can tell us where you hire to confirm availability. See partner venues.
Frequently asked questions
Can candidates use their own laptop in a pod?
No. Standard hardware is what keeps sessions fair and secure. If your assessment needs specific software, it is installed on the pod computer before the session.
What happens if a candidate doesn't attend?
If a candidate misses their booking, the credit is returned to your account once per candidate so you can rebook at no extra cost.
Are interviews recorded?
Yes. Each session is recorded so it can be verified if a question comes up, and the recording is deleted after 24 hours. Check-in, ID verification and any incidents are logged in the integrity report.
How long is a session?
Each credit covers one interview, assessment or exam of up to 60 minutes. You can add an extra hour for $20 when you book.
Which interview platforms work in a pod?
Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, HackerRank, CoderPad and most other interview or assessment platforms. Tell us which one you use and the pod is set up for it.
