Home page
> APS legislative framework > Frequently asked questions
> Employment policy and advice
‹ Previous page
Frequently asked questions
Questions on:
These frequently asked questions are a consolidation of questions from a number of sources and are indicative of the questions posed to the Commission's Employment Policy Advice and the Policy Group in the Commission.
About the APS
The Gazette
- What is the Gazette?
- Can private companies and government agencies advertise their products and services on the Gazette?
Getting a job in the APS
- How do I find out what employment opportunities are available in the Australian Public Service?
- How do I apply for a job in the Australian Public Service?
- Can I get a job in the Australian Public Service if I have a criminal record or have been declared bankrupt?
- Can I be employed in the Australian Public Service within 12 months after accepting a redundancy benefit?
- How do I apply for graduate positions in the APS?
- Can a person have dual employment in the APS?
- Does an unsuccessful election candidate have a right of return to the APS?
Conditions of engagement
- When can a condition be imposed?
- Can a condition be imposed after someone has been engaged?
- How long can a condition of engagement last?
- What happens when a condition is met?
- What happens if a condition is not or cannot be met?
- What is meant by a condition of engagement relating to formal qualifications?
- Do new employees need a health, character and/or security clearance?
- What privacy rules apply when engaging an APS employee?
- What if my agency uses a recruitment company?
- Why is there an Australian citizenship requirement for APS jobs?
- Can an agency employ someone who is not an Australian citizen?
- What are the visa requirements for non-citizens?
- What happens if a non-citizen employee loses their entitlement to work in Australia?
Ongoing staffing
- I am a non-ongoing (temporary) employee. How can I become an ongoing (permanent) employee?
- What is a promotion?
- I have been acting in my job for a long time - can I be automatically promoted to it?
- Must a person be released to take up other duties?
Non-ongoing (temporary) staffing
- Do higher duties opportunities need to be advertised?
- What is the basis for selecting a person for temporary higher duties?
- Must a person be released to take up other duties?
Selection of staff
- What guidelines must be followed in a staff selection exercise?
- Must a selection decision be based on advertising and competitive processes?
- What are the administrative law principles relevant to recruitment and selection?
- Does an excess employee have any special status in a selection process?
- Are there any special legislative provisions relevant to selection of staff on, or anticipating, maternity leave?
APS Code of Conduct
- What is involved in an internal complaint process?
- What information can be given to a complainant about the outcome of a Code of Conduct or whistleblowing investigation?
- What can employees expect in terms of natural justice (procedural fairness) during a Code of Conduct investigation or a Whistleblowing inquiry?
- If I am not satisfied with the outcome of a Code of Conduct investigation about me, do I have any rights to have the outcome reviewed?
- If an employee makes a complaint against me and the investigation finds that the allegation was false – what recourse do I have?
- Can anyone other than an APS employee report a suspected breach of the Code of Conduct?
- As a complainant, what rights of review do I have if my agency decides that my whistleblowing report is vexatious and/or frivolous and is therefore not pursued or if I do not agree with the outcome of the investigation?
APS Values
- Is it a conflict of interest to have an employee supervising a relative?
- Why can’t I use the Frequent Flyer points I have earned through work, for my own personal use?
Review of employment matters (appeals)
Employment agencies
- An employment agency has forwarded an application for an advertised vacancy - is the APS agency bound to consider it?
- Can an employment agency seek placement fees from the APS?
Resignation
- Must I give notice of my intention to resign? Can I withdraw my resignation?
- If an ongoing APS employee wants to access Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS) Transition to Retirement arrangements, do they need to resign from their ongoing APS employment?
