Australian Government Resume Writing

While applying for government work at all levels (Australian Public Service (APS), state or local), writing an effective resume is crucial to the recruitment process. The APS receives thousands of applications for a single role each year for its non-ongoing positions. Only 10% or less of these applicants are interviewed for the role. So having a properly structured resume is essential for success. Your resume is the main source, alongside your answers to selection criteria or in your pitch or detailed cover letter. Which the board will judge your potential fit for the role. To assist applicants to develop their resumes, Bhatia Consultancy Services have developed an Australian Government resume sample and offered some practical tips on how to differentiate yourself in order to increase your chances of being successful.

Australian Government Resume Sample

Government resumes are distinctly different than standard resumes, and they have an exceptionally strict format and style that conform to rigid adherence to application details and standards. In contrast to private sector applications, governmental jobs, particularly in the Australian Public Service (APS), expects applicants to closely follow selection criteria, capability frameworks, and job specific competencies.

Our team of specialist government resume writers has years of experience creating documents that fit the Australian resume framework. While adhering to the APS, state, and local government expectations for document preparation. Based on this experience, we have combined some practical hints and tips to help you ensure your resume fits all requirements and positions you well as a candidate for jobs with government.

Navigating the APS Job Market

The APS is changing. Although the APS is relatively more stable than what’s being experienced in the private sector, that stability does not equate with no change. We see sustained momentum pushing towards a digital transformation, a constant focus on delivering frank and fearless citizen-centric services. And growing need for roles in cybersecurity, data analysis and policy design for a modern Australia.

AI will have an impact – but not as it’s being touted to do so. While AI is very real. It is often viewed as a pervading and all encompassing replacement of workers, whereas what AI is primarily likely to be is an equal collaborator. Given that there are now more automated systems used to sift applications than there are human beings, your resume now needs to be built to communicate effectively with both the machine and the human. The problem is to articulate your unique value proposition clearly to both.

Where the Opportunities Are: APS Roles in Demand Right Now?

Governments require so many varied skills and capabilities. In addition to the traditional policy and administration roles, there is a growing emphasis on demand for:

Cyber Security Specialists: Protecting citizen data and infrastructure is critical.

Data Scientists & Analysts: Turning mountains of public data into the evidence base for policy.

User Researchers & Service Designers: Helping to ensure the government digital services (like myGov) are simple and usable by all Australians.

Project & Program Managers: Leading large infrastructure and digital transformation projects.

Communications & Engagement Officers: Establishing trust and communicating complex government agendas with the public.

What Does The Pay Packet Look Like? 2025 APS Salary Snapshot

APS salaries are very transparent and range between classifications – APS Level (1-6), Executive Level (1-2), and the Senior Executive Service (SES). Here is an approximation for full-time positions (not including super):

Title (level)                                   Average Salary
Admin Officer (APS 3-4)             $65,000 – $75,000
Policy Officer (APS 5-6)              $80,000 – $100,000
IT Specialist (EL 1)                       $110,000 – $125,000
Project Manager (EL 2)               $130,000 – $150,000

APS vs State and Local Government Resumes

When applying for government jobs in Australia, it’s important to understand resumes for the Australian Public Service (APS) are different to those of state and local government.

The APS has more than 150,000 employees in over 100 agencies. And they are very specific about expectations for resumes, including presentation, style, content and alignment with the Integrated Leadership System (ILS) and other capability frameworks. State and local government employers place less strictness on resumes and typically will accept a shorter (and perhaps slightly differently presented) version.

Therefore, its imperative to research the agency/department you applying for, and tailor your application in accordance with their expectations. Which will increase your likelihood of progress in the recruitment process. It may be worth your while to work with a professional government resume writer, particularly one with appropriate APS, state, and local experience in understanding the distinctions so that you can be confident that your application is meeting the specific role requirements.

Following the APS Resume Guidelines

If you are combating a role with the APS it is important to follow the resume guidelines closely. The resume needs to be consistent with the information you provided in your selection criteria responses or your pitch document; everything you provide is considered one package. Therefore all information needs to be consistent, correct and presented appropriately.

For instance, if in your selection criteria you write: “As an Executive Assistant, I led a…”— your resume needs to also reflect this title, employer and employment dates as an Executive Assistant. Consistency and credibly count. Attention to detail is very important to APS recruiters.

Make sure:

• Job title and employment dates match exactly if you cite them.
• The key responsibility statements and achievements are also matched to the capability you are addressing.
• Never use the same statements, meld your resume or selection criteria together, and use both to pitch you differently.

When you properly tailor your resume to the APS standard – or modify it to state and local government standards – you are demonstrating professionalism, accuracy and a clear understanding of the application process, and it will make a difference to you competing in a crowded field.

What Makes Government Resumes Different?

There is more than just length and format that sets government resumes apart from resumes used in the private sector. Unlike some industries that expect to receive resumes limited to 1–2 pages, government resumes often range from 2–6 pages depending on the job and responsibilities. There are no strict rules about length; simply refer to the relevant application guide as many panels may set a page limit.

Following instructions is crucial, as failure to do so is one of the most common reasons candidates are no longer considered for a position. With APS, state, and other public sector jobs receiving thousands of applications and applicants each year, your chances of progressing to the next step can be decreased by even careless errors.

For style, government resumes are deliberately simple and professional. Panels prefer clear layouts, “boring” fonts (such as Arial) in black and white (10-11 pt), and do not use photos and graphics, or managed, pretty, layouts that could distract from a reader, or may not pass an automated system.

The focus is on clarity, accuracy and alignment to selection criteria, and NOT style to make sure that your skills and experience are considered solely on the merits.

How To Write A Resumé For Australian Government Jobs?

A good Australian government resumé should clearly outline your skills, experience and qualifications in a logical, professional structure. Typical sections include Personal Details, Education, Employment Experience, Volunteer Experience, and Referees. Use a simple font that is easy to read such as Arial 10-11 pt, with a basic plain black-and-white template for maximum readability.

Personal Details

Your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if you have one). It is good practice to include a summary job title that describes both your career history and the role you are applying for, for example, Administration Professional or Customer Service Specialist; you are directly signalling your professional role to the panel.

Education

Provide information regarding all relevant qualifications and education including degrees, certificates, and professional training. You may exclude dated or irrelevant qualifications if it would not enhance your application. Most Australian government positions require demonstrated education competencies therefore you must include any certificates that are relevant to the position.

Australia’s Leading Government Resume Writers

Employment Experience and Achievements

Identify your employment experience in chronological order. Include job titles, employers, dates of employment, and if there are any employment gaps briefly and professionally explain those gaps.

Highlight achievements and accomplishments, with an emphasis on the employment experience that is relevant to the position. For example, if you are applying for an administrative position that involves payroll you should include any previous experiences with payroll.

In addition, if applicable identify your government entitlement levels (APS3, or higher) and include any acting or unsolicited higher duties. Typically, panels that are reviewing APS applications will refer to the information that you are providing to help them assess your suitability and capability against the requirements of the position.

Volunteer Work or Other Relevant Experience

It is a good idea to include volunteer work or community involvement that demonstrates transferable skills. For example, being a treasurer of a local sports club demonstrates administrative and financial management experience. These experiences may support your application for a government job in administration.

Referees

List two referees including their name, title, organization and contact information. Always check with your referees that they are willing to discuss your performance in a professional context prior to adding them to your referees. Recruiters in the Australian government like referees who can confirm the skills and experience you have listed as part of your application, this will weight a candidate’s application in their favor.

What to Exclude from Your Government Resume?

When creating a government resume, you should focus on relevant information that’s related to the role and that demonstrates your competencies. Additional personal details and unrelated information may take away from the rest of your application and may also, in contravention to anti-discrimination principles, elicit discrimination. The key items to eliminate are:

Date of birth, marital status, or gender – Australian government employers assess you on their merits. While an assortment of experience, qualifications, skills, and personal attributes are assessed, these details are not required.

Irrelevant reasons for leaving positions – Context is warranted only as it dovetails into your suitability or a continuity of employment decision.

Irrelevant hobbies and interests – While Panels seek relevant skills, experience, and achievements and will consider everything included in your resume, they will not see these and do not seek those informal bits and pieces remotely, pertaining to the role. Hobbies should only be labelled as such if those hobbies demonstrate skills transferable in the role.

Photographs – In most industries, unless you take out a paid advertisement or some such, the inclusion of many aspects that may be permitted in the private sector are as a whole, not appropriate for government resumes (e.g., photographs, graphics, and embellishment).

If your government resume is solely relevant, factual, and measurable, your chances of going forward in a highly competitive application process (one in which, for example, some APS and state government roles can receive hundreds (in stressful cases, thousands) of applicants and on occasions, for a single role) will improve.

Australian Government Sample Resume | How to Write an APS Resume That Gets You Noticed?

JESSICA SMITH
Senior Administration Professional
PH: 0412 345 678 | E: [email protected]
A: 25 Government Avenue, Canberra, ACT
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessica-smith

PROFILE & KEY SKILLS

Outstanding Communication Skills: As Senior Administrative Officer, led the team’s adaptation to Machinery of Government changes, communicating updates clearly both verbally and in writing, ensuring smooth implementation with minimal disruption.

Attention to Detail: Managed complex travel itineraries for senior executives, coordinating flights, accommodation, ground transport, and multi-destination trips seamlessly.

Policy and Procedure Compliance: Implemented a new data privacy policy as an Executive Assistant, ensuring adherence to updated regulations. Reviewed, communicated, and trained staff effectively, guaranteeing compliance across all relevant departments.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

November 2016 – Present
Executive Assistant | Department of XYZ

Key Achievements:

• Ensured safety compliance on a project with a large number of non-English (Mandarin) speaking employees by translating SWMS documents and facilitating on-site interpreter-led training.

• [Additional Achievement 2]

Duties:

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to a senior executive.

• [Duty 2]

Expert Government Resume Writers

November 2014 – October 2016
Job Title | Organisation

Key Achievements:

• [Achievement 1]

• [Achievement 2]

Duties:

• [Duty 1]

• [Duty 2]

November 2010 – October 2014
Job Title | Organisation

Key Achievements:

• [Achievement 1]

• [Achievement 2]

Duties:

• [Duty 1]

• [Duty 2]

EDUCATION

Diploma in Quality Auditing | ABC Training Institute | 2019

VOLUNTEER / OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Treasurer | Canberra Golf Club (2019 – Present)
Managed the club’s budget, oversaw income and expenses, and ensured accurate, up-to-date financial records.

REFEREES

Sally Thompson | Administration Manager | Department of XYZ | [email protected] | 0411 234 567
Michael Lee | Senior Executive | Organisation ABC | [email protected] | 0412 345 890

FAQs: Australian Government Resume Samples & Advice

Q1: Can I see an example of an Australian Government resume?

While professional writers have long-standing privacy implications not allowing them to typically show full, actual client examples, we can provide a dramatically redacted templates or outlines that represents layout, language, and formatting that would be indicative of relevant resumes. The main elements to be looking for are on the documents: clear headings, bullet points formatting, measurable achievements, and the inclusion of key APS capabilities and keywords. I would be happy to provide a structured template that would represent these tenets – just reach out.

Australian Government Resume Sample

Q2: How long should my public service resume be?

In most APS and EL level roles, the current magic number is 3-4 pages long. It allows enough space to present relevant experience and achievements without overwhelming the reader. SES applications may prove longer due to experience distribution, breadth of experience needed, etc. The golden rule in this event is relevance and not length.

Q3: What’s the difference between a resume and a CV for government jobs?

In the Australian labour context, they are essentially the same document, however, you would often have to submit a “CV” when applying for technical, scientific or research focused roles (i.e. CSIRO, DFAT etc). This version may vary in length due to possible additional publications, conferences and project accumulation. In most generalist APS roles, CV and resume are oftentimes interchangeable.

Australian Government Resume Sample

Q4: How important is it to respond to the selection criteria?

Very important. This is the one, most unique aspect of an Australian Government application. Your resume must work in conjunction with your pitch/statement in fact, against the selection criteria. A great way to develop your resume is to blend specific evidence to key capabilities (i.e “achieves results,” “communicates with influence”) within the achievements in the resume so the resume reinforces your pitch.

Q5: Do I mention referees on my resume?

Best practice is to simply state “Referees: Available on request” at the end of your document. This saves space and allows you to give your referees notice. When a particular potential employer is going to be in touch with them. Have a separate document with two or three referees (including their name, title, organisation, phone and email) on standby. That is ready to send immediately if requested.

Australian Government Resume Sample

Q6: What is the best format to save my resume in for an online application?

Always follow the instructions on the application portal. If there is no preference, PDF is usually the safest option. This way your wonderful formatting will remain intact in a variety of devices and operating systems. An ATS can read it correctly and a hiring manager will see what you wanted them to see. Definitely don’t use a Word document if you have added any complex formatting. Because it will always look messy on another screen.

Q7: What is the optimal length of time to go back in my work history?

A good guideline would be to consider only the last 10-15 years of your career, documenting it in detail. Anything beyond, you can summarize in a brief “Early Career” section simply listing the title, organization, and appointment dates. This way, you remain focused on your most relevant and current achievements. Unless the earlier position is critical to job you’re applying for.

Australian Government Resume Sample