Compare courses from top Australian unis, TAFEs and other training organisations.

How to Become A Public Servant

Career outcome icon – Public Servant

Sorry, we don't have any courses leading to a career as a Public Servant for you at the moment. Please try searching again.

What is a Public Servant

A public servant works for the Australian Public Service (APS). It is the federal workforce that keeps government running. As at June 2025, the APS employed around 198,529 people across more than 100 agencies (APSC, 2025). Jobs span policy, digital services, communications, data analysis, regulation, and much more.

On a typical day, a public servant might draft a policy paper or run a consultation. They may also manage a project budget or analyse data to check if a program is working. They give frank and honest advice to ministers and senior leaders, even on tough topics.

The APS Values guide every public servant. They include integrity, respect, and a commitment to service. These are not just words. They shape how decisions are made and how the public sector treats citizens.

If you care about making a real difference, a public service career can be very rewarding. The work is meaningful, the paths are varied, and there are real chances to grow and lead over time.

Compare courses and programs in Government

Career Outlook for Public Servant

The Australian Public Service is a major employer with real staying power. As at June 2025, it had around 198,529 employees across more than 100 federal agencies (APSC, 2025). That number has grown steadily in recent years. Spending on service delivery, digital systems, and policy work is driving this growth.

The average APS employee is 43 years old. About 57 per cent of the workforce is female (APSC State of the Service Report, 2025). Most roles are full-time and ongoing. This means solid job security and access to super, leave, and other benefits. Flexible work is widely available across departments.

Pay is strong and rises with experience. Entry-level APS 1 roles start at around $55,059 a year. Senior Executive Level 2 roles pay over $186,140 (Treasury Enterprise Agreement, March 2025). Demand for skilled public servants is set to grow. Government priorities in digital services, climate, and social policy are all driving new hiring. If you want a career that matters and offers real growth, this is a solid choice.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to become a Public Servant

Step 1: Research the Australian Public Service

Start by learning about the APS structure, values, and available roles. Visit the Australian Public Service Commission website (apsc.gov.au) and the APS Academy (apsacademy.gov.au). The APS Values include integrity, respect, fairness, and commitment to service. Knowing them helps you present yourself well at every stage.

Step 2: Complete relevant education

Many APS roles need a bachelor degree. Fields like public policy, business, law, social science, economics, and technology are all relevant. Most graduate programs need a degree finished within the last five years. If you prefer vocational study, consider the Certificate IV in Government (PSP40122). Also look at the Diploma of Government (PSP50122). Both are offered by RTOs and take 6 to 12 months each.

Step 3: Build your skills and experience

Get hands-on experience through internships, volunteering, or work in local government or community groups. Many APS departments offer student placements and short-term contracts. Use this time to build writing, analysis, and people skills. Keep a record of specific examples for your applications.

Step 4: Apply through APS entry programs

Most entry-level and graduate roles are listed on the APS Jobs website (apsjobs.gov.au). Look for APS 1 to 3 roles or a Graduate Program in your area of interest. Graduate programs run for 12 months and rotate across teams. Each role uses a merit-based selection process. Tailor every application to the role and its key criteria.

Step 5: Prepare for the selection process

APS recruitment uses written applications, work sample tests, and interviews. Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Show how your experience matches each key criterion. Security clearance is required for some roles. The process can take several months, so plan ahead.

Step 6: Grow through ongoing learning

Once employed, use the APS Academy’s learning programs and seek out mentoring and secondment chances. APS levels from APS 1 through to the Senior Executive Service offer a clear path for growth. Most agencies have plans that support structured career steps. The APS values ongoing learning. Make full use of it.

What does a Public Servant do?

A public servant’s day is rarely the same twice. You might analyse data in the morning and draft a ministerial brief in the afternoon. The next day you could run a community consultation. Across all roles, the focus is the same: use evidence, act with integrity, and deliver real results for Australians.

Tasks

Public servants keep the Australian Public Service running. Their work spans policy, service delivery, data, finance, and community engagement. Here is what a typical public servant does day to day.

  • Policy work: researching problems, developing options, and writing policy papers for government decisions.
  • Service delivery: managing programs that provide health, education, and social services to the public.
  • Research and analysis: gathering and interpreting data to measure whether programs are working.
  • Community engagement: consulting with citizens and stakeholders to gather feedback and improve services.
  • Compliance: checking that government activities follow relevant laws, regulations, and standards.
  • Administrative support: handling documentation, records, and correspondence to keep departments running smoothly.
  • Budget management: helping to plan and track use of public funds.
  • Professional development: building skills through training, mentoring, and networking programs.

Skills for Success

To thrive as a public servant, you need strong communication skills. You also need sharp thinking and the ability to work well with others. Most roles involve reading, writing, and presenting at pace, so clear communication is a must.

Problem-solving and critical thinking help public servants find real solutions to hard issues. Honesty and ethical judgement are just as vital. The APS expects high standards of fairness and integrity from all staff.

Being adaptable is also key. Government priorities shift, and public servants need to pivot and keep delivering results. The APS invests in training, so you keep building skills throughout your career.

Skills & Attributes

  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • Analytical thinking and data interpretation
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Integrity and ethical judgement
  • Commitment to public service
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Adaptability and resilience
  • Research and evidence synthesis
  • Project and time management
  • Understanding of policy and legislation
  • Stakeholder engagement and consultation
  • Accountability and transparency
  • Cultural competence and inclusivity
  • Leadership and decision-making
  • Digital literacy and data skills

Average Salaries

The average yearly salary for a public servant in Australia is around $95,000 (APSC pay scales, 2025). Entry-level APS 1 roles start near $55,000 a year. Senior Executive Level 2 roles can reach over $186,000. Pay rises as you move through the APS classification levels.

min $55 K

max $186 K

av $95 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson
Laura Atkinson

Explore career guides by Laura Atkinson. Practical how-to-become advice on qualifications, skills, salary and job outlook across Australia.