APS recruitment is a competitive, merit-based process. This means you need to show, through your application and assessment, how your skills, experience and potential match the role.
Do not assume recruiters will understand Defence terminology, rank structures, trade, posting history or operational language. Use plain language and explain what you did, the scale of your responsibility, who you worked with, what decisions you made and what results you achieved.
You can use the Plain language and word choice | Style Manual to assist you.
Start with the job ad and information pack
Read the job ad carefully before deciding whether to apply. Check the job title, agency, classification level, salary range, location, employment type, closing date, citizenship or security requirements, required documents and assessment process. The information pack will usually explain the duties, capabilities, eligibility requirements and how to submit your application.
Check whether the role is right for you
Before applying, consider whether the role matches your skills, interests and circumstances. Look at the work level, duties, location, work pattern, security requirements and any mandatory qualifications. If the title is unfamiliar, focus on the work described in the duties rather than the job title alone.
Contact the contact officer
Most APS job ads include a contact officer. They are there to answer questions about the role, team, work environment and recruitment process. Speaking with the contact officer can help you decide whether to apply and how to tailor your application.
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What does the role do day to day?
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What skills or experience are most important for success?
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How does the team work with stakeholders or the public?
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What would good performance look like in the first 6 months?
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How will applications be assessed?
Understand merit-based selection
APS jobs are filled through merit-based selection. This means candidates are assessed against the requirements of the role and compared with other applicants. A strong application does not need to cover your whole career. It should provide clear, relevant evidence that you can do the work at the required level.
Prepare the documents requested
Each vacancy will tell you what to submit. This may include a CV, a short pitch, responses to selection criteria, answers to online questions, a cover sheet and referee details. Follow the instructions closely, including word limits, file types and closing times.
Use your application to translate your Defence experience into APS language. Focus on outcomes, responsibilities and behaviours. For example, instead of focusing on your rank, explain the size of the team you led, the risks you managed, the stakeholders you worked with, the decisions you made and the results you delivered.
Submit carefully and keep a copy
Submit your application before the closing time and keep a copy of what you provided. If you are shortlisted, you may need to refer back to your examples during an interview or other assessment.
What happens after you apply
After applications close, the agency will assess applications against the role requirements. You may be invited to an interview, work sample test, written task, presentation, referee check or another assessment activity. Some processes may also create a merit list or merit pool, which can be used to fill the same or similar vacancies for a set period.
APS recruitment can take time. If you are not selected, you can ask whether feedback is available. Feedback can help you improve future applications, choose better examples and better understand what selection panels are looking for.