Resources
October 23, 2018 - By Monique Thompson
The Australian Public Service (APS) is one of the most respected and stable employment sectors in the country, offering diverse career pathways, long-term job security and meaningful opportunities to contribute to the nation’s wellbeing. Whether you are an experienced professional seeking advancement or an early-career applicant considering your first government role, understanding how APS recruitment works is essential to submitting a competitive and well-structured application. As Australia’s leading provider of professionally written APS résumés, cover letters and selection criteria responses, Government Resumes has supported thousands of applicants in securing interviews and job offers across federal agencies. This guide explains the structure of APS employment, key capability requirements and how to prepare an application that aligns with the APS merit-based model.
APS employment is highly sought after due to its clear career pathways, employee protections and commitment to public value. Key benefits include:
Job stability and long-term security
Structured classification levels offering transparent career progression
Competitive salary packages and generous superannuation
Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid and remote opportunities
Nationally recognised training and development programs
Meaningful work that contributes to policy, service delivery and national priorities
Whether working in policy, intelligence, finance, compliance, customer service, technology, health or program delivery, APS employees play a vital role in supporting government functions and enhancing community outcomes.
APS positions are structured into clearly defined levels, providing consistent expectations across agencies:
APS 1–3: Entry-level and administrative roles
APS 4–6: Technical, specialist and coordination roles with increasing autonomy
EL1–EL2: Senior leadership and managerial positions
SES Band 1–3: Strategic and executive leadership roles
Each classification outlines the required skills, behaviours and leadership expectations. Progression is based on merit, capability and demonstrated performance.
APS recruitment is grounded in capability-based assessment. Many agencies use:
APS Work Level Standards
The Integrated Leadership System (ILS) for behavioural capability expectations
Agency-specific frameworks such as the ATO Capability Framework or Services Australia indicators
Applications must demonstrate capability in:
Strategic thinking
Achieving results
Communicating with influence
Stakeholder engagement
Problem solving and analytical reasoning
Teamwork and collaboration
Delivering high-quality services to the community
Strong APS applications directly reflect these capabilities through well-crafted, evidence-based examples.
APS hiring processes follow strict merit-based guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency. Applicants typically experience:
Online application submission
Eligibility checks
Shortlisting based on merit and capability alignment
Behavioural interviews
Work sample tests or written assessments
Reference checks
Because APS recruitment is highly competitive, applicants must provide targeted, concise and compelling evidence of capability.
APS résumés require a specialised structure that differs significantly from private-sector formats. A strong APS résumé:
Includes a targeted career profile aligned with APS values
Lists key skills aligned to required capabilities
Uses STAR-based achievements, not generic duties
Highlights legislative knowledge, compliance experience and policy understanding
Incorporates qualifications, clearances and professional development
Government assessors expect clarity, accuracy and achievement-based content.
A one-page pitch or cover letter is commonly required. It must:
Summarise your motivation
Align your experience with the agency’s purpose
Demonstrate capability using STAR examples
Highlight your understanding of APS values
Well-structured behavioural evidence significantly strengthens your application.
Selection criteria are a critical element of many APS applications. To address them effectively:
Use STAR methodology
Focus on achievements and measurable outcomes
Demonstrate risk management, stakeholder engagement and problem solving
Tailor responses to the specific role
High-quality responses often determine whether an applicant progresses to interview.
APS recruitment is complex. Professionally written documents can significantly strengthen your competitiveness by:
Ensuring compliance with APS standards
Demonstrating capability alignment
Presenting high-quality STAR evidence
Highlighting your strengths strategically
Government Resumes has supported applicants across Services Australia, ATO, Home Affairs, Defence, Finance, DFAT, Treasury, Infrastructure, Attorney-General’s Department and many more.
Australian Public Service careers offer stability, purpose and structured progression. Understanding APS recruitment requirements and submitting a capability-aligned, professionally written résumé and application will significantly increase your chances of success. With expert guidance and targeted documentation, you can confidently pursue a rewarding and impactful APS career.
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