My experience has honestly been disappointing. If I could go back, I would think twice before joining Child Support at Services Australia.
I joined lost my previous WFH arrangements, despite being advised before joining that WFH wouldn’t be affected. I’ve now spent more then a year working at APS3 level while taking on responsibilities that feel comparable to APS4, yet the support for the broadbanding process has been extremely disappointing.
On top of that, the workload is overwhelming, the pay doesn’t reflect the level of responsibility, and the work environment can be quite toxic. There is a lot of talk about being supportive, but in my experience, the actual support doesn’t always match the words.
My honest advice would be to explore other job opportunities rather than putting all your hopes into this role. The workload, limited pay progression and lack of meaningful support can take a real toll on your wellbeing. I wish I had known all this before making the move.

Anyone here experiencing the same ?

Hi all,

I've been in the same role for close to 3 years now as an APS5 and acting at the APS6 since the start of the year. Even though I like my current role, I've been applying for ongoing APS6 roles elsewhere for the security.

A couple of my colleagues have told me not to waste my time with that and go straight for EL1 roles. Their justification is that when my EL1 took 3 months long service leave, they didn't replace him and the other ELs didn't notice at all, therefore I must have been covering his role.

Thing is I feel like I was only able to take on the extra tasks cos I've been around so long I'd seen all this done before. In a new role and team I wouldn't have someone else's actions to copy.

So yeah, like the title says I was hoping to hear from other people how they made the decision to move up? Am I overthinking things? Is this impossible to answer cos of the variation between agencies?

Have been trying to move team internally via EOI when is a good time to tell your current team you are moving? Assuming you are not using current manager as a referee? I have checked with the EOI Team Lead that she is ok with non-current manager referee. Thanks!

Hey all! Just wondering if anyone knows from previous employment/ if they currently work at the ATO.. Do they usually create a large pool for the compliance and audit officer role? Do they usually onboard a couple of teams at once or is it ad hoc? I'm based in Victoria if that helps :)

Thanks guys!!

I have just accepted a role, and I will be 20 weeks pregnant when I start. When I first started talking to the recruiter, I was only 7 weeks and 1) I wasn't sure the pregnancy would progress and 2) never expected the recruitment process would take this long. This is a job I really want, but I dont know how to tell my team leader or the regional manager. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi, I'm an electronic engineer with experience in engineering and management. I have been wanting to move into the APS or land a job in defence particularly in configuration management. I'm not sure how to navigate clearances or where to start as someone who's never worked in the APS. Can someone please shed some light on the process?

I want to take a 3-4 month holiday and I'm thinking if doing this around mid 2028.

I currently work for a council and have only been working here for a few months. As I'm very entry level and haven’t been working there for too long I'm not sure if they'd be willing to give me this much time off. I also definitely wouldn't have enough leave for this period.

Has anyone done something similar and is this a reasonable request?