Career Guide
How to write an APS resume
Build a concise APS resume that makes your relevant responsibilities, level, achievements and career history easy for a selection panel to assess.
The quick answer
An APS resume should be accurate, relevant and easy to scan. For each recent role, show the context and level of responsibility, then use selected achievements to demonstrate outcomes. Tailor emphasis to the advertised duties without rewriting history, and make sure dates, titles and claims align with your application and referee evidence.
Context turns duties into evidence
A title alone rarely explains work value. Briefly show the size, purpose, stakeholders, authority or complexity of the role so the panel can interpret your achievements at the right level.
What an APS resume needs to do
The resume supports the panel’s merit assessment. It should establish your career history, clarify the work you have performed and provide evidence that complements the written application. It is not usually sufficient on its own.
Structure and length
Use clear headings, consistent dates and reverse chronological order. A practical structure includes contact details, a brief professional profile, key capabilities where useful, employment history, education and relevant qualifications, plus referees if requested.
Follow the vacancy’s page limit and document instructions. Readability matters more than decorative design.
Write role scope and achievements
For each recent role, provide one or two lines of context: the function, classification or equivalent level, reporting line, team or program scope and important stakeholders. Then distinguish continuing responsibilities from selected achievements.
Achievement bullets should begin with meaningful action and end with value. Include scale or measures where they clarify impact, but do not force a number into every bullet.
Tailor without distorting
Reorder and emphasise truthful material that is relevant to the vacancy. Use terminology the panel will recognise, but do not rename roles, inflate authority or copy the advertisement into your resume. Translate private-sector context so the APS work level is understandable.
Resume checklist
- Are dates, titles and classifications accurate?
- Can the panel understand the scope of each recent role?
- Do achievements show outcomes rather than routine activity?
- Is the strongest relevant evidence easy to find?
- Are claims consistent with the pitch and referees?
- Have I followed the file, page and naming instructions?
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 resumes
How long should an APS resume be?
Follow any limit in the vacancy pack. Without one, use the shortest length that provides relevant scope, history and evidence; senior or specialist careers may require more space than early-career resumes.
Should I include every job I have held?
Preserve a clear history, but give the most detail to recent and relevant roles. Older experience can usually be summarised.
Need help writing a role-aligned APS resume?
Professional Resumes Australia can develop or review an APS resume that makes your relevant scope, achievements and suitability clear to the selection panel.