How to write an APS pitch and address selection criteria

Read the information pack first

Each agency decides what it wants: one pitch or statement of claims, separate responses to each selection criterion, or answers to specific questions, usually with a page or word limit. The job’s information pack says exactly what to submit. Follow it to the letter; applications that ignore the format are easy to set aside.

Pitch or criteria: prove, don’t claim

Selection criteria describe the qualities, skills, knowledge and qualifications the role needs. Whether you write a single pitch or address each one, the job is the same: show with real examples that you meet them. “I have excellent communication skills” proves nothing; a short story of what you did and what changed does.

Use STAR for each example

• Situation: the context, in a sentence
• Task: what you were responsible for
• Action: what you did (most of the words go here)
• Result: what changed, with a number if you can

Write to the level of the job

APS jobs are classified by level (APS 1–6, then Executive Level 1 and 2). Pick examples that show work at the level you’re applying for: an APS 6 pitch should show more independence, judgement and leadership than an APS 4 one.

State government jobs

State and territory public services have their own formats. NSW Government jobs, for example, often ask targeted questions linked to the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework. Again, the ad and information pack tell you what’s wanted.