There’s no denying an IT role within the Australian Public Sector (APS) is pretty enticing. Great pay, excellent job security, diverse work opportunities – the list goes on and on. And with almost 70% of government IT jobs based in Canberra, you also have the chance to work in Australia’s epicentre for political and economic decision-making, contributing to shaping public policies and delivering essential services for all citizens in this great land.
It’s no wonder APS IT positions are in such high demand. One of the best ways to secure one of these coveted roles is to engage with a recruitment agency in Canberra — a key partner in guiding you through APS job applications, which can be lengthy and complex. But which agency gives you the best shot of landing the role you want?
In this blog, we’ll offer tips on how to select the right choice amongst the sea of Canberra recruitment agencies.
An Overview of Australian Public Sector Roles
Before getting to advice about selecting the best IT recruitment agency in Canberra for you, it’s good to have an understanding of the scope of APS roles, as they’re a little different to the private sector. Feel free to skip ahead if you’re across this.
The APS has a structured classification system for its positions, one that clearly defines roles and responsibilities, but also guide salary and benefits. Tech roles abound across all APS levels, spanning entry-level support positions to high-level IT executive roles. Here’s a breakdown of the levels, alongside some example positions:
APS Level 1-6 (APS 1-6)
- APS1-2: entry point with IT roles such as Helpdesk Support, IT Technicians, and Junior Data Analysts and Developers.
- APS3-4: roles could include Systems Administrators and Database Officers.
- APS5-6: more senior technical roles, like Senior Systems Analysts, IT Project Officers and Network Administrators.
Executive Level 1-2 (EL1-2)
- EL1: positions might include IT Project Managers, Senior Developers, IT Security Specialists and System Architects.
- EL2 roles: more senior specialised positions, such as Heads of IT Units, Senior IT Strategists or Principal IT Architects.
Senior Executive Service (SES Band 1-3)
- SES Band 1: executive service roles like Chief Information Officers (CIOs) for smaller agencies, or directors of specific IT divisions within larger departments.
- SES Band 2-3: these could include roles like Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), senior positions in large departments overseeing all IT functions, or heads of significant IT projects or initiatives
How Recruitment Agencies in Canberra Help You Land A Government IT Job
Now let’s get to the part that will help you nab an APS IT role – finding the right recruitment agency in Canberra for you. Here is a list of important things to look out for when selecting your best recruitment partner fit:
- Expertise
As a solo job searcher, you have access to a limited amount of information about the open role, which is usually limited to the job ad and description. Partnering with a recruitment agency in Canberra will give you insider insights into the government jobs you’re applying for.
The right recruiter has built up a considerable amount of expertise in the APS IT market, gaining valuable intel about different departments and agencies. They can share this with you to not only help you during the application process, but to also help you understand if the role has the right combination of things you’re after, such as the salary level, challenges, and/or further progression opportunities.
Given that Canberra is the geographic hub of the Australian government, most recruitment agencies will have a government-focused division. Look for one that has a dedicated team for APS IT roles, as this means they’re more likely to have relationships with key players in the industry.
- Network and Access
A successful IT recruitment agency has devoted many years to cultivating long-term relationships with government departments and agencies. This gives you that vital ‘in’ to boost your chances of landing an APS role. Such access is especially valuable when you consider that some APS jobs, particularly contract roles, may be advertised exclusively through recruitment agencies and not publicly listed.
When weighing up recruitment agencies in Canberra, look for one that takes relationships seriously. This includes hosting professional development, networking and industry events.
- Personalised support and enhanced services
When you approach a recruitment agency, take note of how they treat you. This is a good indicator of what your ongoing relationship be might like. Do they respond quickly? Do they take the time to arrange an interview to find out about your skills, experience and career aspirations? Or is it just a hurried conversation that leads to pushing you into any available role?
Many Canberra recruitment agencies will offer resume writing tips and interview support, but you also need one that has specific expertise in government IT jobs. They should be able to support you with complex job application processes, along with the essential background checks, such as a national police check, identity verification and/or security clearances.
If you’re a contractor, you likely already have experience with recruitment agencies, but perhaps not-so-great experiences. Should this be the case, look out for a recruitment agency in Canberra that has a dedicated contractor department, one who checks in regularly during your placement but also gives you ease of access to your timesheets, payroll and their work, health and safety advisory.
The best agencies will take it a step further with enhanced contractor services such as a wellbeing program, event invitations for networking and/or professional development, and proactively gathering your feedback to improve their service offerings.
The Right Recruiter Choice for You
We hope this rundown of what to look for in a recruitment agency in Canberra has given you ample information to make the right decision for you.
Landing a government IT role, while rewarding, does require a fair amount of legwork. Here at Exclaim IT, we’re pretty proud to say we excel in both of these areas … and quite a bit more!
Our business structure is relatively unique to our industry – unlike other Canberra recruitment agencies, we have dedicated consultants looking after the needs of contractors, jobseekers and employers separately, ensuring each stakeholder receives the quality of service they need.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you in finding an APS job (whether it’s your first or fifth!), please get in touch directly with one of our friendly Government Engagement Specialists. We’d love to help.
