Application Process & Interviews at Services Australia

Bring it in house so I am assessed by an APS staff member, with an APS "earned" security clearance. AND DON'T force the use of MyGovID - its a flawed system, using digital verification for a digital ID and nothing tied back to a physical ID. We really are operating in the last century when it comes to cyber security and security awareness. Allow potential staff to also use something like AusPosts ID Services where we have to physically present with physical ID - more secure, offers a pitch point to stop digital fraud or at scale attacks.

It very extensive and too long. I had to go through 8 months of process to get here.

The interview process and assessments could be greatly improved. The current process clearly uses AI to detect keywords as opposed to reading applicant's responses to determine the quality. As a result, applications which would may be considered strong by a human assessor are unsuccessful due to not meeting AI criteria. Additionally, the entire hiring process has taken far too long at times. For example, one of my applications took so long (9-12 months) that the next round of hiring had already begun by the time my hiring cycle was completed.

Interview process was drawn out excessively, with long periods of time where there was no communication/ failing to communicate with us when they said they were going to.

Recruitment took a little while longer than expected, and there were periods of zero contact which was a worry. But the actual process was fun, and engaging, I met one of my fellow grad friends through the process so it was nice coming into work on the first day and having a contact already.

My interview process was fine, if not drawn out. I had a few tests and text based responses to fill out after the first application, then a recorded virtual interview, where you don't have an actual person to talk to, then one big session that had both a group interview and individual interview component. I think 5 rounds all together.

Psychometric testing. Interview panel. Written assessment. Group assessment.

Very lengthy. Long wait (months) between interview stages. Little-no communication as to timeframes.

The tasks required and the interview process were good and something I found relatively easy. The length of recruitment was not ideal. If given my time again I would have applied for a PROFAPS5 role directly rather than entering through the graduate program as I was eligible 11 months prior to the beginning of the Graduate program and have worked at this level for the entirety of the program however my pay has not reflected this.

One online application, a recorded video interview (responding to on-screen questions), and a virtual interview with a panel of 2-3 interviewers.

It was very long and taxing, there were many hoops to jump through and it took nearly a whole year.

Extremely slow and drawn out. It took almost a year for me to find out whether I was successful - I actually thought I was unsuccessful due to the lack of communication. The outsourcing of the process leaves much to desire. The "interview" process is now simply recording videos of yourself answering questions - it is not intuitive and does not truly reflect how one would behave or interview in person, barely any in-person interactions are had during the process.

Psychological assessment, individual interview and group interview

internally - bulk recruitment that is aimed at service delivery staff, which makes it difficult for staff outside of service delivery to move up

Lengthy hiring process

Very long and cumbersome process

The interview process for the graduate program was too long and lacked transparency. I should have been told that there was no 'stability of location' as a front of house social worker during recruitment to the graduate program rather than after commencing work. I was unable to make an informed decision as to if the requirements suited my needs.

The whole process is on our website, and considering part of the job involves being resourceful and searching using a computer...

It feels like they give anyone who can spell their name a job. A large majority of staff lack the ability to think critically or for themselves.

It is very lengthy should be more efficient and timely, also more transparent

Bit late to ask this one - that's a long time ago.

Scenario questions

I was asked questions along the lines of customers impacts, things revolving around empathy and emotional intelligence. There were some scenarios regarding a surge in demands. Such as a natural disaster or pandemic, which was phrased in a way to get us (grads) thinking about how we would tackle a problem.

Standard interview questions. I had no issues with the questions asked other than that they are generic. It is important to have a mix of Agency staff and hiring company staff on the panel to effectively assess the interview question responses (as was the case with me)

I was posed a simulation where I had to source information from many different emails to make choices for an event, and identify what the most cost effective vs most widely supported options where. I had some general logic puzzles to do, I think classic 'whats next in the sequence' type things. I had to respond to a few prompts about times I worked in a team times I salvaged what went wrong, and how I hope to apply my degree to the graduate program. The group part of the interview was about adapting to change, which was a common theme of interviews for Services Australia. We were posed a scenario as a group where we were all being pulled from our current project to meet emergency demand, and had to prepare to hand over our work to our manager, so had to prioritise how to communicate these things.

I don't remember

Just standard behavioural and technical questions - what stands out in the data to you, how did you handle this type of situation, etc.

I was asked why I wanted to work in government and was given data related questions as that was my degree and graduate stream. The data questions involved being given a graph and asked what important details I would include in a report to a government minister prior to a press conference.

Why do you want to work here? How is your past experience relevant?

I don't really remember but I do remember leaning into my progressive political orientations and why going a Federal government agency would rectify some of the issues I was having in the private sector. Overall, they wanted to gauge my customer experience skills - which I feel I had a lot of considering the level of my position.

Sorry, I forget. That was a long time ago.

I honestly cannot remember, I spent most of it as nervous as could be. I remember not having had much sleep, and that the woman interviewing was lovely and gave me extra time because my interview went long because we had a lot to talk about.

What experience do you have? What are your strengths and weaknesses?

The questions were generic catch all questions which didn't reflect what the role I was applying for.

I dont recall. Pre grad program I was asked if i can use a computer.

I can't remember, but it was a range of both agency wide and social work specific questions. There was an individual and a group interview.

I was hired without an interview.

To solve basic problems relating to patterns - ('match the shapes', 'missing number in sequence' etc). Working experience - what type of roles have previously been worked. Times when you have encountered difficult situations - how were they overcome. Simulation of mailbox/inbox management.

I do not remember

cannot recall

Be yourself, understand what you bring to the table. Think of the obvious questions (problem solving, team work etc) and prepare accordingly

Be the honest self and tell their experience.

I'd tell them to remember this company at its core, deals with people. So make sure your responses and ideas come from the angle of what is best for the customer. The rest just falls into training the specifics of a role, but at its heart, we help people in need and deal with a lot of sensitive information, so be professional, friendly, and think about 'why' you're doing what you're doing.

Understand the Agency's Master Plan and focus responses on customer service delivery.

The best way to approach the group interview, in my opinion, is to focus on creating a team dynamic in the discussion, rather than finding the best solution. The people that really tried to find the best solution by shutting down other peoples ideas did not advance. I also remember the individual interview being very closely based on the position description and type of person they were looking for that was available in the graduate program web page. I generated a few situations based on the type of person they were looking for, and ended up being able to use them almost ver batim. They want you to respond using STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result

Do not apply for the graduate program as you are financially disadvantaged compared to new starter colleagues doing the same work. The training and opportunities provided in this 10-month program are not enough to compensate.

Being prepared for traditional interview questions will only get you so far. Be prepared to undergo activities that will in no way reflect your ability to conduct yourself professionally and/or complete given tasks.

Do research and learn about what your company does. Figure out why you want the job.

Be patient the process takes a long time and even when you are rated suitable to actually get the role it may take you a while.

Be yourself and back your judgement in any written assessments. Just explain your work

Just be yourself.

Apply somewhere else.

Research and be able to answer why you want to work here

Don't join the graduate program. Do a cadetship and keep your options open.

Nothing specific. I don't recall the process having any major differences to other corporates.

Get 9+ hours of sleep! Don't do what I did. Also, researching what exactly we do is a good idea generally: you'll never be expected to be on top of all of it, but knowing the three branches exist and roughly what they cover is a good idea. Also, if you're on Youth Allowance or have an underlying medical condition, you can talk about how you've already used our services, because most Australians have at some point.

Relax. The most important part of being in government is being able to talk confidently. This applies to most job interviews I think.

The Assessment Centre is a standardised process that is researchable with a Google search. The questions change, of course, but you can settle some of that anxiety around the unknown by familiarising yourself with what the process is going to involve.

Read the instructions carefully.

Read about the agency's Master Plan and link your answers to this. Keep the customer at the centre, and demonstrate your ability to work as a team and problem solve.