About Australian Public Service Commission

We are a small policy agency within the portfolio of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Our statutory responsibilities and commitment to change provides the opportunity to work on exciting and engaging projects and programs whilst supporting our internal priorities.

Our Statutory responsibilities are detailed in the Public Service Act 1999 and include to:

• Develop, promote, review and evaluate APS employment policies and practices
• Contribute to learning and development and career management
• Contribute to and foster leadership in the APS
• Provide advice and assistance on public service matters to agencies
• Promote high standards of integrity and conduct in the APS

The APSC also provides policy and secretariat support to the Remuneration Tribunal and the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal.

In line with our statutory responsibilities, we promote 4 key priorities within our corporate plan for 2017-2018. These priorities enable us to position the APS workforce for the future and are aimed at creating a more flexible and agile workforce. Whilst these priorities are externally facing and drive the delivery of our work, we embed these priorities internally.

Our strategic priorities are to:

• Modernise the employment framework
• Shape the APS workforce
• Build workforce capability
• Promote integrity

Our graduate program

We offer our graduates a unique experience to work in a dynamic and supportive team environment where our graduates are made to feel like part of the team from day 1. We do this by placing our graduates in a ‘home Group’ that is best matched to their individual skills, experiences and the type of work that motivates them.

As a relatively small agency of around 200 staff, our graduates have strong connections with our Executive team. Our graduates are actively encouraged to attend senior-level meetings, when relevant, to share their thoughts and ideas. This includes the opportunity to shadow a Group Manager, attend meetings with our SES cohort and talk through challenges facing the APS.

Our graduates also participate in the Graduate Development Program (GDP) designed to:

• provide you with the foundation skills needed to thrive in the Australian Public Service (APS)
• challenge your thinking using interactive workshops, simulation exercises and participation in APS wide graduate events such as GradHack
• build your networks across the APS through engaging with other graduates
• support you to put into practice project management, problem-solving, stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills by undertaking and presenting a major group-based project
• provide opportunities for personal and professional development through mentoring and coaching relationships
• articulate to Masters programs at renowned academic institutions

Our graduates are offered:

• relocation assistance if you are moving from interstate
• ongoing employment on successful completion of the program as an APS4 ($64,131 per annum)
• access to study assistance and other support to continue your professional development
• other generous employment conditions

Remuneration

Our Graduates start on APS3 level salary of $58231 per annum. In early December 2019, once you have successfully completed the Graduate Program, you will be promoted to APS4 $64131 per annum.

As a public sector employer, the Commission provides generous superannuation.

Who are we looking for?

We welcome graduates from any discipline. However, you will need to have a strong interest in the work of the Commission and be ready to apply your knowledge and experience to that work.
Our graduates need to:

• work collaboratively with others
• be prepared to challenge themselves
• be willing to participate in learning experiences in a challenging but supportive environment
• use their judgment and critical thinking skills to solve problems and innovate

Before you apply, you should go to our website to get a better understanding of the Commission’s purpose and the work we do. We encourage you to think about the type of work that will interest and motivate you to contribute your skills to our work.

We value and encourage a diverse and inclusive workplace and strive to have a workforce that reflects the diversity in our community.

We strongly encourage people with disability to apply and can offer practical support such as making reasonable adjustments to ensure that people are able to participate equally in the selection process.

We also strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

Our recruitment approach

Our recruitment process is all about finding out more about you and understanding your motivations and interests in joining the Commission. We take a streamlined approach and work hard to keep to our timelines. Candidate care is important to us so we will keep you informed every step of the way so you know how your application is progressing.

Stage 1 of the recruitment process begins with an online application. We will ask you to tell us more about why you would like to work at the Commission and what areas of the Commission or type of work you are most interested in.

If you progress to Stage 2, we will invite you to attend an Assessment Centre in Canberra on either 25th or 26th October. The Commission will cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs if you live outside Canberra and need to stay overnight.

The Assessment Centre comprises three aspects of assessment:

• a written activity that will include an element designed to understand your ability to interpret data
• a Group Activity to observe how you collaborate with others to complete a task
• a short face to face interview with our panel of experienced Commission colleagues

We will make offers to successful candidates in early November to take up your Graduate role in mid-February 2019.