Career Guide
How to write an APS pitch statement
Build a focused one- or two-page pitch that connects your strongest evidence to the role, agency and advertised work requirements.
The quick answer
An APS pitch is a concise argument for your suitability. It should identify the role's most important requirements, use selected examples to demonstrate relevant capability at the advertised level, and explain the value you would bring. Follow the vacancy's exact page or word limit; a pitch is not a cover letter expanded with generic career history.
Prioritise instead of compressing everything
A short pitch cannot contain your entire career. Choose the few examples that collectively cover the role's central capabilities and make your level, judgement and impact clear.
What an APS pitch is
A pitch may be called a one-page pitch, two-page statement, suitability statement or statement of claims. The label matters less than the instructions. Its purpose is to give the panel focused evidence of your fit for the role.
Map the role requirements
Before drafting, group the advertisement and candidate pack into themes such as strategic advice, delivery, stakeholder influence, technical expertise, leadership and integrity. Compare these with the Work Level Standards.
Rank the themes. The duties repeated across the pack, highlighted in “our ideal candidate” language or central to the role’s purpose deserve the most space.
Choose a structure
A reliable structure is:
- a short opening that identifies your relevant value proposition;
- two to four evidence sections organised around the main requirements; and
- a concise closing that connects your experience and motivation to the agency’s work.
STAR can sit underneath each evidence paragraph without visible STAR headings.
Write with evidence
Use examples to show how you work. State the context briefly, make your responsibility clear, explain your decisions and influence, and name the result. Connect evidence to the role without repeating “this demonstrates” after every paragraph.
Avoid turning the pitch into a chronological resume, a list of capabilities or a generic statement about passion for public service.
Pitch checklist
- Does the opening sound specific to this role?
- Have I covered the most important requirements?
- Do examples match the advertised level?
- Is my personal contribution clear?
- Are results concrete and credible?
- Have I met the exact limit and formatting instructions?
- Is every claim consistent with my resume and referees?
Official guidance used for this page
Guidance last reviewed: July 2026
This Professional Resumes Australia guide interprets public recruitment guidance for applicants. Always follow the instructions in the specific job advertisement and candidate information pack.
Questions about APS pitches
Should an APS pitch have headings?
Headings can improve navigation when they reflect the role requirements, but follow the instructions and use the limited space efficiently.
Should I address every duty separately?
Usually not. Group related requirements and use examples that demonstrate several relevant capabilities without becoming vague.
Need help shaping an APS pitch statement?
Professional Resumes Australia can help you interpret the role, select the strongest evidence and build or review a focused pitch within the required word limit.