Australian Public Service (APS) Jobs
Everything you need to know about navigating the federal government landscape, from APS levels to selection criteria.
What is the APS?
The Australian Public Service (APS) is the federal workforce that supports the Australian Government. Comprising over 160,000 employees across various departments and agencies, it handles national responsibilities like defence, immigration, taxation, and social services.
Working in the APS means your employer is the Commonwealth of Australia. It is governed by the Public Service Act 1999, which mandates a merit-based recruitment process.
Understanding APS Levels
The APS uses a standardized classification system. Understanding these levels is crucial for targeting the right roles.
| Classification | Role Type | Typical Experience |
|---|---|---|
| APS 1-2 | Entry level, trainees, administrative support | 0-2 years |
| APS 3-4 | General administration, project support, customer service | 1-4 years |
| APS 5-6 | Senior officers, policy advisors, team leaders, specialists | 4-8+ years |
| EL 1-2 | Executive Level: Directors, strategic leaders, complex policy | Significant leadership |
| SES | Senior Executive Service: Agency leadership | Executive leadership |
Tip: If you are transitioning from the private sector with a few years of solid professional experience, APS 5 or APS 6 are often appropriate entry points.
How to Apply for APS Jobs
The APS recruitment process is strictly merit-based. This means your application must explicitly prove you meet the role's requirements better than other candidates. The standard application requires:
- A tailored resume highlighting achievements, not just responsibilities.
- A capability statement (often a 1-2 page pitch) responding directly to the selection criteria.
- References who can verify your claims.
The STAR Method
When writing your capability statement, you must use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). The APS relies heavily on behavioral evidence—past behavior is viewed as the best predictor of future performance.
Get the Unfair Advantage
Writing an APS capability statement takes an average of 4-6 hours per application. Missing a single keyword from the Integrated Leadership System (ILS) can result in your application being screened out.
Govy is built specifically for the Australian public sector. We analyze the job description and your resume to generate a perfectly formatted, STAR-aligned capability statement in seconds.
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Helpful Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
APS stands for the Australian Public Service. It encompasses all federal government departments and agencies in Australia, such as Services Australia, the ATO, and the Department of Defence.
The APS classification structure ranges from APS1 (entry-level/trainee) to APS6 (senior operational/team leader), followed by Executive Levels (EL1 and EL2), and finally the Senior Executive Service (SES) bands.
The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is the standard structure required for APS selection criteria. It ensures candidates provide concrete, first-person evidence of their capabilities.
Many APS agencies now ask for a 500-to-1000 word 'pitch' or statement of claims instead of traditional long-form selection criteria. This is a targeted essay proving how your skills align with the role.
The ILS is the APS framework that defines the behaviors and leadership capabilities expected at every APS level. Your application must use the specific language of the ILS cluster relevant to your target level.
The process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from the closing date to the interview stage, but onboarding can take much longer depending on the level of security clearance required.
'Ongoing' means a permanent position within the APS. 'Non-ongoing' refers to temporary or fixed-term contracts, usually ranging from 6 to 12 months.
Many APS roles require a security clearance managed by AGSVA. These range from Baseline (basic access) to Negative Vetting 1 and 2 (NV1/NV2), up to Positive Vetting (PV) for highly classified national security roles.
Check the agency's instructions first: AI rules can differ between applications, tests and interviews. Where assistance is permitted, use it to organise your own evidence, verify every claim and follow any disclosure requirements. Do not upload confidential information or invent examples, metrics or experience.
It depends on the job advertisement. If the application asks for a '1-page pitch,' this often replaces the traditional cover letter. Always follow the specific instructions on the APSJobs portal.