The main place to search for Australian Public Service vacancies is APSjobs. It is the central jobs board for APS vacancies and lets you search by keyword, agency, classification, job category, location, employment type, salary range and closing date.
Start with APSjobs
Use APSjobs to search current vacancies, explore career pathways and find information about working in the APS. You can search broadly at first, then narrow your results using filters such as classification, location, department or agency, employment status, opportunity type and office arrangement.
If you are not sure what to search for, start with the type of work you want to do rather than your Defence job title. Useful search terms might include project, operations, service delivery, policy, procurement, logistics, training, compliance, security, intelligence, cyber, data, communications or stakeholder engagement.
Use filters and saved searches
Filters can help you find roles that match your circumstances. You can narrow results by state or territory, classification level, salary range, agency, employment type, opportunity type and work arrangement. If you create an APSjobs account, you can save searches and receive email notifications when new jobs match your criteria.
Check agency websites
Agencies may also advertise vacancies on their own websites and other job boards. If you are interested in a particular department, agency or portfolio, check its careers page regularly. Agency websites can also help you understand the organisation’s purpose, the types of roles it offers and whether its work aligns with your interests.
You can also use the Veteran Employment Commitment supporters tool at https://www.veteransemployment.gov.au/show-your-commitment/commitment-supporters to find APS agencies and other employers that have joined the Veteran Employment Commitment.
Look for temporary registers and pathways
Some agencies use temporary employment registers to fill short-term or non-ongoing roles, sometimes at short notice. These roles can be a good way to gain APS experience, build networks and test whether a particular type of work or agency is right for you.
APSjobs also includes information about career pathways, including supported entry pathways, graduate programs, traineeships and other programs that may be relevant depending on your experience and career goals.
Read each job ad carefully
Before applying, check the key details in the job ad and information pack. This will help you decide whether the role is suitable and what you need to include in your application.
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Classification level and salary range
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Agency, team and location
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Ongoing, non-ongoing, full-time, part-time or casual status
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Security clearance, citizenship or other eligibility requirements
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Required documents, word limits and closing time
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Contact officer details
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Assessment process, such as interview, written task, work sample or referee checks
Use the contact officer
If you are interested in a role but unsure whether your experience is a good match, contact the listed contact officer before applying. They can explain the role, team, work environment and assessment process. This can help you decide whether to apply and how to tailor your application.
It can also help to keep a simple job search tracker with the role title, agency, closing date, contact officer, documents required, application status and any feedback received.