Govy Glossary
APS
Australian Public Service. The federal government workforce, employing over 150,000 people across dozens of agencies.
APS Level / APS 1-6
The non-executive classification levels in the APS. APS 1-2 are entry/administrative, APS 3-4 are graduate to intermediate, APS 5-6 are experienced officers and team leaders.
EL1 / EL2
Executive Level 1 and 2. Middle to senior management roles. EL1 typically manages teams or projects; EL2 often leads branches or major programs.
SES
Senior Executive Service. The top leadership band within the APS (Bands 1-3), equivalent to C-suite in the private sector.
ILS
Integrated Leadership System. The capability framework used across the APS to define the behaviors and skills expected at each level.
Work Level Standards
Detailed descriptions of the duties, responsibilities, and capabilities expected at each APS classification level.
APS Values
The five core values: Impartial, Committed to Service, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical. All APS employees must uphold these.
APS Code of Conduct
The set of mandatory behavioral standards all APS employees must follow, set out in the Public Service Act 1999.
Commissioner's Directions
Legally binding instructions from the Australian Public Service Commissioner about how the APS must operate.
Selection Criteria
The specific skills, knowledge, and attributes required to perform a job. Your application must explicitly prove you meet these.
STAR Method
Situation, Task, Action, Result. The mandatory structure for providing behavioral evidence in government applications and interviews.
Capability Statement
A document (usually 1-3 pages per criterion) responding to the selection criteria, proving your suitability for the role.
Pitch
A condensed capability statement, usually strictly limited to 500-1000 words, common in modern APS recruitment.
Statement of Claims
Another term for a written response to selection criteria, where you 'claim' you meet each requirement and provide evidence.
One-Page Pitch
A concise, single-page summary of why you're the best candidate. Increasingly common in APS job applications.
Addressing Selection Criteria
The process of writing detailed responses that demonstrate how you meet each criterion using the STAR method.
Merit Principle
The legal requirement that APS employment decisions are based on an objective assessment of an individual's work-related qualities.
Merit Pool
A group of candidates deemed suitable for a role through a competitive process. Pools are often used to fill multiple similar vacancies over 12-18 months.
Order of Merit
A ranked list of suitable candidates created after an assessment process. Positions are offered in order of ranking.
Non-ongoing
A temporary APS position, typically up to 18 months. Can be extended or converted to ongoing in some circumstances.
Ongoing
A permanent APS position with no fixed end date. The standard form of APS employment.
Irregular/Intermittent
Casual APS employment where you work on an as-needed basis without guaranteed hours.
Merit Selection
The formal process of assessing candidates against the selection criteria to identify the best person for the role.
Assessment Panel
The group of people (usually 2-3) who evaluate job applications and conduct interviews. They recommend the successful candidate.
Classification
The pay grade or level of a position (e.g., APS 6, EL1). Determines salary range and expected responsibilities.
Engagement
The formal term for being hired into the APS. You are 'engaged' rather than 'employed'.
Promotion
Movement to a higher classification level. Requires a competitive merit process under the Public Service Act.
Transfer
Moving to a different APS agency at the same classification level. Generally easier than a promotion.
Secondment
A temporary assignment to another team or agency, usually 3-12 months, while maintaining your original position.
Acting
Temporarily performing duties at a higher classification level, often with higher pay (acting allowance).
Performance Agreement
An annual document setting out your work goals and expected standards, linked to the ILS capabilities.
Performance Review
The formal annual assessment of your work performance against your performance agreement.
Portfolio
A group of agencies under the responsibility of a Cabinet Minister (e.g., the Health portfolio includes the Department of Health and related agencies).
Department
A major APS agency that reports to a Minister. E.g., Department of Defence, Department of Home Affairs.
Agency
A generic term for any APS organisation, including departments, commissions, authorities, and statutory bodies.
Statutory Agency
An APS agency established by its own legislation, with specific independent functions (e.g., ATO, ABC).
Secretary
The most senior public servant in a department, responsible to the Minister for the department's operations.
Deputy Secretary
Senior executive who reports to the Secretary and leads major divisions within a department.
First Assistant Secretary (FAS)
An SES Band 1 role typically leading a division or major branch within a department.
Assistant Secretary (AS)
An EL2 role typically leading a branch or section within a division.
Behavioral Interview
An interview focused on past behaviors as predictors of future performance. You'll be asked to describe specific situations using STAR.
Referee Check
Contacting your nominated referees (usually 2) to verify your claims and get feedback on your work style.
Pre-employment Check
Background checks including citizenship, security clearance, health assessment, and reference verification before you start.
Security Clearance
Formal assessment of your suitability to access classified information. Levels include Baseline, NV1, NV2, PV.
Written Assessment
A test or exercise completed as part of the selection process, such as a writing task, case study, or skills test.
Panel Interview
The formal interview with the assessment panel, typically 30-60 minutes, using behavioral questions.
Enterprise Agreement
The collective agreement that sets pay rates, conditions, and entitlements for APS employees in a specific agency.
Flextime
Flexible working hours arrangement where you can vary your start/finish times within set bandwidths, common at APS 1-6 levels.
TOIL
Time Off In Lieu. Accrued when you work overtime, allowing you to take paid time off instead of receiving overtime pay.
AWA
Australian Workplace Agreement. An individual employment contract (now largely replaced by Enterprise Agreements).