Government career intelligence

There is no single “government EA” market.

APS merit, NSW capabilities, Queensland AO classifications and state-specific selection practices change what a strong application looks like. Start with the jurisdiction, then interpret the actual executive office.

Written and reviewed by Kristy McLeodLast reviewed 24 September 2026Report a correction

Classification

A title does not establish work value. Compare classification, industrial instrument, actual salary basis and decision scope.

Assessment

The advertisement and applicant pack decide whether you need a pitch, capability examples, criteria response, task or panel interview.

Context

A ministerial office, hospital executive, regulator and service-delivery agency create different risks even at a similar grade.

Eight jurisdiction guides

Choose the public service you are applying to.

Australian Government / APS

Merit-based recruitment, national agencies and classification-led work value.

Executive Assistant · Senior Executive Assistant · Executive Support Officer

Open jurisdiction guide

NSW Government

Capability-based assessment across departments, agencies and health systems.

Executive Assistant · Executive Support Officer · Business Support Officer

Open jurisdiction guide

Victorian Government

VPS roles, key selection evidence and a broad statutory and service-delivery market.

Executive Assistant · Senior Executive Assistant · Executive Services Officer

Open jurisdiction guide

Queensland Government

AO classifications, Smart Jobs instructions and large health and regional markets.

Executive Assistant · Senior Executive Assistant · Executive Support Officer

Open jurisdiction guide

WA Government

Selection criteria, pools and a Perth-centred market with major health and resources interfaces.

Executive Assistant · Senior Executive Assistant · Executive Support Officer

Open jurisdiction guide

South Australian Government

ASO roles, agency instructions and a major SA Health executive-support market.

Executive Assistant · Personal Assistant · Executive Support Officer

Open jurisdiction guide

Tasmanian Government

Statement-of-duties evidence in a compact, relationship-driven public sector.

Executive Assistant · Executive Support Officer · Administrative Assistant

Open jurisdiction guide

ACT & Northern Territory

Two distinct jurisdictions: compare them, never collapse their conditions.

Executive Assistant · Senior Executive Assistant · Executive Support Officer

Open jurisdiction guide

The cross-government rule

Comply first. Differentiate second.

The strongest evidence cannot rescue an application that ignores a page limit, required question, closing time or eligibility condition. Once compliant, differentiate with specific examples of judgement: the conflict you resolved, the risk you noticed, the decision you enabled and the follow-through you created.

Read the government application guide