Information for candidates with disability

If you're a person with disability who wants to make a difference, we need you.

The Australian Government is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment that reflects the broader Australian community.

Affirmative measures – disability employment

We want to show the community the value people with disability can bring to any organisation.

This means we have some jobs that are only available to people with disability, or a particular type of disability. We call this Affirmative Measures - Disability employment. This makes sure people with disability are represented in the Australian Government public service.

Use of this provision only relates to the restrictions around the people applying for the role(s), every other element of the standard recruitment process applies.

The Affirmative measure can be used to recruit to any APS job vacancy, regardless of the duties. It is not restricted to jobs with a disability-related function. It may be applied to individual vacancies or bulk rounds, such as graduate recruitment rounds.

If an agency has decided to use this method of recruitment, it will be clearly indicated in the job advertisement.

Read more about Affirmative measures on the Australian Public Service Commission Affirmative measures page.

RecruitAbility scheme

The Australian Government has developed the APS RecruitAbility scheme. This means when you opt into the RecruitAbility scheme people with disability are taken to an advanced stage in the hiring process. This only happens if the person opts into the RecruitAbility scheme and meets the minimum requirements for the job. The minimum requirements are determined by the selection panel and agency and are specific to that vacancy.

We’ll ask if you want to opt into the RecruitAbility scheme in an online application form. You must tick the ‘opt in’ box to join the RecruitAbility scheme. You won’t be automatically included by having a disability.

Read more about the RecruitAbility scheme on the Australian Public Service Commission Recruitability page.

Reasonable adjustment

The Australian Government provides reasonable adjustments or flexibilities during the hiring process for all vacancies, whether you opt into RecruitAbility or not or whether it is an Affirmative measures job or not. This includes access, equipment or other practical help.

This could include things such as an Auslan interpreter for an applicant who is hearing impaired, extra reading time during assessment activities for a person with learning difficulties, or accessible software for a person with vision impairment.

Please tell us what you need in your application, or contact the agency directly.

Reasonable adjustments and support can also be made available to assist you in the job, if you are successful in gaining employment with the Australian Government.