How promotion reviews are conducted

The steps in a promotion review 

These are the steps in a review of promotion decision. The process of reviewing a promotion can take between 8 - 12 weeks depending on the number of applications we receive. 

Step 1 APS Gazette

Check whether there is a promotion notice published on www.apsjobs.gov.au. A promotion notice can be located by its vacancy number (VN). Note that large recruitment rounds, often called bulk recruitment, can promote multiple people to the same vacancy number.  

Step 2 Application

You have 14 days to lodge your application for a review of the promotion decision. We assess your application to make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and the person who is promoted to the permanent role is an ongoing APS or Parliamentary Service employee. We also check that you and the successful applicant applied for a role at the same location.

Step 3  Our website notice

Every Friday by 2.00pm we publish the vacancy numbers of those promotions where we have received valid applications for review. It is usually the Friday following the closing date for making an application (unless Friday is a public holiday).

Step 4 Notice of review

A notice is emailed to all the parties involved in the promotion review, including the agency or department who conducted the recruitment process. This notice of a promotion review email contains instructions and advice on next steps. It also informs the agency or department not to proceed with the promotion until a promotion review committee makes a decision.

Step 5 Statement of claim

We collect all the information and evidence relied on by the recruiting agency or department in the recruitment process. All parties involved in the promotion review are given an opportunity to provide a written statement of claim to explain why they have the most merit. This information is collated and provided to the Promotion Review Committee for its consideration.

Step 6 Promotion Review Committee 

A Promotion Review Committee is established to review and assess all the information, including the statements of claim, referee reports, the role description and any other relevant documentation. In some circumstances the members of the committee may decide to conduct additional face to face or telephone interviews with the candidates.

Step 7 Decision

 The Committee makes a decision to agree with the original promotion decision or the make a new promotion decision. All parties are informed of the outcome and feedback is provided to the applicants.