Yes we do, and we’ve worked with clients in every State and Territory and at every level of Government, and have an in-depth knowledge of hiring practices and standards in the NSW and VIC State Governments. APS standards and protocols are generally reflected from Federal to State-level but anecdotally, the application of standards as applied to procedural fairness and transparency are often less stringently applied in some States.

Yes – the techniques and best practices for responding to selection criteria, preparing for interviews, and writing CVs and cover letters, all apply directly to appointments for Local Government roles. Often the hiring processes and protocols are not as mature at a Local Government level; however, the standards for merit-based recruitment, transparency and fairness are.

PSCareers.com.au was founded by executives from the APS who wanted to share their knowledge and advice based on decades of experience. Together with career coaching experts, the mission of PS Careers is to empower people to excel in their APS career pathways by unlocking some of the secrets and mysteries of APS recruitment and career progression.    

Of course. Everyone has to start somewhere and there are career pathways and entry points that are accessible for everyone. Whether you’re entering a Graduate program, targeting an entry-level role, or looking at transferring from the private sector to an equivalent level in the public sector, we’ve got you covered. If you’re not clear on your options, a career coaching session can help you identify which level to target for your first job, and map out a pathway with a career plan. Talk to us if you’re not sure where to start and we’ll guide you on making the first steps. 

This part is ultimately up to you. While we can prepare you with the highest possible standards of CV, selection criteria responses, cover letters, LinkedIn profile content and interview preparation, a lot depends on you, and who you are competing against. We can give you the best possible chance of success and a competitive advantage over other candidates who simply won’t have the insights, skills and techniques that you’ll learn from working with us. 

Yes – while at the Commonwealth level individual agencies determine whether they will employ non-citizens (some do, some do not), State and Local Government roles are typically accessible for people who are not yet citizens, but do have full working rights under an Australian Permanent Resident (PR) visa or other type of working visa. 

A lack of public sector experience is a big hurdle in targeting senior roles in the APS; however, if you focus on the role’s specific selection criteria and make a strong pitch in every aspect of those criteria, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance of success. This is achieved by orientating your CV, selection criteria examples, and interview preparation with a laser-sharp focus on the role requirements and capabilities. You may also require a career strategy to achieve your objective, which can include an interim role that builds experience in areas which you lack, or gives you the necessary exposure to the public sector through a consulting or contracting role. Career coaching is invaluable to perform a gap assessment and develop a plan to reach this goal.