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APSJobs: How to Find and Apply for Australian Public Service Jobs
A guide to APSJobs, the Australian Public Service jobs site: searching by APS level and employment type, saving searches as email alerts, graduate programs, citizenship rules and applying.
APSJobs is the official job site for the Australian Public Service, the federal government departments and agencies that run everything from tax and social services to border protection and statistics. Roles range from administration, data entry and customer contact to policy, IT and specialist work. This guide explains how the site works, who it suits and how to put in a strong application.
What APSJobs is
APSJobs lists vacancies across Australian Government agencies in one place. Each ad shows the agency, the location, the APS classification level, whether the role is ongoing or non-ongoing, and how to apply. The site also has a separate area for graduate programs, which recruit people who have recently finished a degree.
Who it suits
- People who want stable, structured employment with clear classification levels.
- Administrative and customer-facing job seekers, since many entry-level APS roles involve processing, records, data and contact-centre work.
- Recent graduates, through the APS graduate streams.
- Australian citizens, because many APS roles and the graduate programs require citizenship. Some roles also need a security clearance.
How to search well
You can search APSJobs without an account. Start with a broad keyword such as "administration", "customer service" or "data", then narrow by:
- Employment type, such as ongoing, non-ongoing or casual
- Category, for the kind of work
- APS level, to match roles to your experience
- Location, since many agencies hire outside Canberra too
Read the full ad and any attached position description. APS ads usually explain the duties, the capabilities they are looking for and the selection process in detail.
Job alerts
To get email alerts you need a free account. APSJobs says you must register with a private email address; .gov.au addresses cannot be used. After you register, run a search with the filters you want and save it. Then open your profile (the person icon at the top of the page), go to saved searches and use the slider to switch job alerts on or off for each one. If you are aiming for a graduate program, save a search for graduate roles so you know when streams open.
Graduate and early-career options
If you have finished a degree recently, look at the graduate programs section of APSJobs. Streams such as the Generalist Stream set their own rules, including when your degree must have been completed and when applications open, and they require Australian citizenship. Some streams, such as the Intelligence Stream, also need a high-level security clearance. Even if you are not a graduate, it is worth searching for "entry level", "trainee" or the lower APS levels, because agencies regularly hire for administration and service roles that teach you on the job.
How to apply
APS applications are more structured than most private-sector ones. Typically you will:
- check the eligibility section first (citizenship, clearance, qualifications)
- read the position description and the selection criteria or "pitch" request
- write a short statement showing how your experience matches the role, using specific examples
- attach an up-to-date resumé
- submit before the closing date shown on the ad
Keep a copy of every application you submit, because interview questions often follow the selection criteria.
Staying safe
Real APS recruitment happens through APSJobs or the agency's own website, and you will never be asked to pay to apply. Never pay a fee to apply for any government job, and be careful with ads or messages that promise "guaranteed" public service jobs. Scamwatch notes that scammers impersonate well-known organisations. If unsure, check the vacancy on APSJobs or contact the agency directly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an APSJobs account?
Not to search. APSJobs says an account is only needed if you want email alerts for new jobs. You must register with a private email address, not a .gov.au one.
Do I need to be an Australian citizen to work in the APS?
Many roles and graduate programs require Australian citizenship, and some need a security clearance. Each job ad states its own eligibility rules, so check them before you apply.
What do APS levels mean?
APS levels describe how senior a role is, with lower numbers for entry-level and support roles and higher numbers for more senior work. Filtering by APS level helps you find roles that match your experience.
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