Are you looking to apply for a job in the Australian Public Service (APS)? In most cases, simply submitting a resume and cover letter won’t be enough. Most APS applications will also require a written component, such as key selection criteria or a statement of claims.
In this article, we outline some of the common APS Selection Criteria questions and provide tips on how to respond to them.
Why does the APS include selection criteria in applications?
APS Hiring Managers use selection criteria to determine if applicants have the skills, abilities and experience required to perform the role.
Public service roles are filled based on merit. This means that the role is awarded to the person with the skills and experience most suited to the position, regardless of other factors.
By including selection criteria in applications, hiring managers ensure that all applicants follow the same process and are judged according to the same standards.
Failure to adequately respond to the criterion will mean your application won’t be considered.
What are some common APS Selection Criteria questions?
You may be asked to respond to a set of selection criteria responses or supply a general statement outlining your suitability for the role. Some common examples of selection criteria questions include:
• Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively
• Good organisational and administrative skills
• Proven ability to work as part of a team
• Well-developed customer service skills
• Proven ability to manage projects
Tips for responding to APS Selection Criteria
When responding to APS Selection Criteria you should:
• Provide detailed examples: Importantly, your response to selection criteria should not simply be a list of your past responsibilities. It should not just repeat what has been outlined in your resume and cover letter. Use evidence to support the claims you outline in the criteria. Instead of briefly providing several examples, you should pick one or two of your best examples and outline them in significant detail.
• Carefully consider each criterion: Take time to carefully read each criterion and make sure you know what is being asked for. If you don’t understand what the criterion is asking for it will be difficult to provide an effective response.
• Follow the guidelines outlined in the application: Make sure you accurately respond to each criterion, taking care to note what is being asked for. If a word or page limit is specified for each criterion, ensure you adhere to it. Providing a longer response does not increase your chances of success.
• Be clear and to the point: Ensure responses are well-structured and free of grammatical and spelling errors. Ensure each example is relevant to the criterion outlined.
• Use relevant keywords: Identify any key words that are included in the criterion and try to incorporate these into your answers.
The STAR method
One common way applicants structure their selection criteria responses is by providing detailed examples using the STAR method.
For each example you provide, you should outline the following:
• Situation: Describe the circumstance, where you used the skills or gained the experience you have outlined.
• Task: What was your role? What exactly did you do?
• Action: What exactly did you do and how did you do it?
• Results: What did you achieve? What was the end result, and how does it relate to the position you are applying for?
Applying for the APS isn’t easy. Preparing a quality application requires time and effort. Following the tips above will go a long way to helping you achieve your career goals.
Are you looking for a role in the APS? Public Service Resumes can help. We are pleased to offer a dedicated APS Selection Criteria writing service. We also offer other services for APS applicants including our APS Resume Writing Service.
Article References
Australian Public Service Commission (13 December 2020) ‘Applying for an APS job: cracking the code’, Australian Public Service Commission, accessed 25 February 2025.