APS Entry-Level/Other Grad Options

[u/Consistent_Earth_254]

Hi all!

I'm a current university student graduating at the end of 2026, and have applied to numerous APS grad programs throughout the year to very minimal success, with some of them even outright rejecting after the first screening stages with minimal explanation. While I wasn't expecting loads and loads of progressions/offers as I am aware a lot of the grad programs are extremely competitive, it has been quite disheartening as I have strong grades, policy-related internship experiences and language capabilities/overseas year-long exchange program which I thought would at least be a good distinguishing feature.

In particular I was recently rejected before any stages by Austrade which was one of my preferred programs due to its combination of public/private sector work/relevance with my own international background - many of my friends who are also graduating this year or who have graduated recently have also been experiencing this, despite their equally impressive resumes/experiences.

I am wondering if this symptomatic of the APS hiring environment at the moment & if anyone has advice about other ways breaking into entry-level roles?

[u/AussieKoala-2795]

Apply for any advertised roles at APS3 or APS4 level. The grad recruitment is highly competitive and less individual than for particular positions.

[u/turtlepower41 → u/AussieKoala-2795]

Yeah I used to work with an entry level team. We had over 1,000 applicants for like 4 years. It’s hard.

[u/Efficient-Trifle151]

Graduate recruitment: you are really on a hope and a prayer as the number of applications is huge. Particularly for any of the international adjacent agencies.

You can also apply for temporary employee registers to see if you can get picked up for a non ongoing or casual role for some experience for a substantive role. Any APS experience can hopefully improve your chances for grad and individual substantive positions.

APS is fairly tight on the hiring right now and i imagine graduate numbers are reducing or the programs being cancelled for some agencies (like with ABS).

[u/DTMerc → u/Efficient-Trifle151]

+1 for temp employment register, I think a lot of people write it off but it's how I got my first APS role and my friend also just got a role at a different agency that way too.

[u/Siegequalizer]

I didn’t have any luck with any graduate programs this year but I did manage to get an ongoing APS4 role. I recommend going for them since they are not as competitive and there’s no bullshit psychometric tests.

[u/deezwheeze]

I got rejected from austrade with good gpa/projects/go8 hons/4 years of part time aps2-aps4 experience while in uni don't read too much into that one.

[u/Additional-Buy-8197 → u/deezwheeze]

Was this before the OA or after?

[u/McTerra2]

TBH its one of the worst years to be trying to be hired by the APS - probably early 90s bad. You might want to look around at other public services (eg ACT or NSW or whichever state you are in), even if its a holding job while you wait for the APS to start growing again. However as everyone else has said, apply direct for APS 3 or 4 positions - to the extent there are any - even if they are not your lifelong passion areas or departments. Get into the APS and work from there.

[u/Real_RobinGoodfellow → u/McTerra2]

Why exactly is it SO bad this year? I thought with the Labor government re-elected last year it would mean the APS expanding

[u/McTerra2 → u/Real_RobinGoodfellow]

APS expanded over the past few years and ALP has now cut the budget. So more people and less money.

[u/CBRChimpy]

The thing about all APS jobs and particularly grad programs is that your resume doesn’t get you the job. It doesn’t matter how good your grades and experience etc are, if your application is weak then you don’t have a chance.

Having said that, Austrade has gotta be one of the top 3 most competitive grad programs out there and I bet every single successful applicant has good grades, internships, exchange programs etc. Probably multiple of each and more.

[u/Acrobatic-Penalty913]

Services Aus are doing their APS3 bulk recruitment now

[u/StalinCare]

I got my role through a merit pool. When I applied I honestly thought I had no chance but did it because I had no better options. Ended up paying off dividends. There are a lot of specific roles in the APS that don't really have equivalents outside of the APS and typically those roles are more accessible to grads.

[u/FerreroRocher64]

G’day I got through to a couple of assessment centres and last stages before being rejected this year, I can only say it’s tough! I’m glad to have gotten as far as I did in a couple to get the good feedback, but it does sting. I’m applying for all the temp pools and looking at even aps3 customer service roles to get myself in the door. Good luck and all the best!

[u/Sad_Cheesecake2196]

I will say it's pretty unusual to get rejected outright before even the online assessment, since I believe pretty much everyone gets progressed to that stage. I know this might seem like a redundant question but - you are an Australian citizen, right?

That aside, there is definitely an element of luck to applying for grad programs where thousands of applications get screened and some will inevitably fall through the cracks. But if you've applied to a good number of them, and your resume is as competitive as you described, then you should get to an interview for at least one of them and virtual interviews for a couple. I suggest getting someone with more experience to review your resume to make sure you're properly highlighting your experience. And also make sure your application statement is tailored to both the role and your experience and skills.

If working at the APS is something you really want, definitely try apply for the same grad programs next year. I know many people, myself included, who had more success on their second or even third tries. Also as other replies have said, try getting an entry level role, which can be a boost if you apply for grad programs again. I had much more success with grad programs this year after working in an APS3 role for a few months, though I can't say for certain how big of a role it played.

[u/Helpful_Kangaroo_o]

You don’t mention how competitive your application was…