How the panel scores you
- The panel is usually two or more people, often including the job's supervisor, plus sometimes a scribe who takes notes but doesn't decide.
- Each answer is rated against the job's requirements: the selection criteria, capabilities or values in the information pack.
- Your interview score is combined with your written application, any work sample or test, and referee comments.
- Candidates found suitable can go on a merit list (18 months in the APS), so a good interview can lead to a job even if you're not first.
Question types
Police panels add scenario questions about public safety and conduct; Victoria Police says its panel interview runs about 40-50 minutes and also assesses your verbal communication.
| Type | Sounds like | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioural | "Tell us about a time when…" | A real past example in STAR form: Situation, Task, Action, Result |
| Hypothetical scenario | "What would you do if…" | Walk through your reasoning: safety, law and policy, who you'd inform, how you'd record it |
| Motivation and knowledge | "Why this role?" "What do you know about us?" | Specific reasons tied to the job and the agency's purpose and priorities |
| Values and integrity | "Describe an ethical dilemma you faced" | A real example that shows the agency's values in action |
Build answers with STAR
- Situation: one or two sentences of context. Where were you, what was at stake?
- Task: what were you responsible for?
- Action: most of your answer. What did you do, step by step, and why? Say "I", not "we".
- Result: what happened, ideally with a number, and what you learned or would repeat.
- Map it: before the interview, tag each story with the values or criteria it shows. Aim for 8-10 stories that cover every one.
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free APS Entry Level (APS 1-4) practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
Common questions and what a strong answer shows
| Question | What a strong answer shows |
|---|---|
| Why do you want to work here? | Real interest in the role and the community it serves, and that you've researched the agency |
| Tell us about a time you worked in a team to achieve a difficult goal. | Your specific contribution, cooperation and the outcome |
| Describe a time you dealt with a difficult customer or member of the public. | Calm, respectful service; listening; staying within policy |
| Tell us about a time you had to make a decision with incomplete information. | Gathering what facts you could, weighing risk, owning the decision |
| Give an example of when you showed integrity. | Doing the right thing when it cost you something; honesty; reporting through the right channel |
| Tell us about a mistake you made at work. | Accountability, fixing it quickly, learning |
| How do you manage competing priorities? | Planning, prioritising, telling stakeholders early |
| When have you had to adapt to change? | A positive, practical response and results |
| A colleague is breaking a rule. What do you do? | Address or report it through proper channels; you don't ignore misconduct |
| You're asked for advice a senior person won't like. What do you do? | Frank, honest, evidence-based advice (the APS Impartial value), delivered respectfully |
Values to weave into your answers
| Employer | Values or framework |
|---|---|
| APS | Impartial, Committed to service, Accountable, Respectful, Ethical, Stewardship |
| NSW public service | Capability Framework: Personal Attributes, Relationships, Results, Business Enablers (plus People Management) |
| Victorian public service | Responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership, human rights |
| WA Police Force | Duty, Teamwork, Integrity, Care; criteria include adaptability and judgement and communication |
| Victoria Police | Examples of work relationships, communication, personal drive and integrity |
On the day
- Bring a copy of your application and notes; the APSC says this is fine.
- Take a moment to think before answering, and ask the panel to repeat or rephrase a question if you need to.
- Keep answers to about 2-3 minutes; the panel may ask follow-up questions.
- Ask one or two genuine questions at the end.
- If you're unsuccessful, ask the contact officer for feedback on your application and interview.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an interview answer be?
Around 2-3 minutes for a behavioural question. Long enough for a full STAR example, short enough that the panel can follow it and ask follow-ups.
Can I use the same example twice?
Yes, if it genuinely shows different things, but a panel notices if every answer is the same story. Prepare 8-10 examples.
Do I need work examples, or can I use study, sport or volunteering?
Any real example counts. Entry-level and graduate panels expect examples from study, part-time work, sport, volunteering and community life.
What if I don't know the answer to a scenario question?
Think aloud. Panels mark your reasoning: safety, the law and policy, your duty to the public, who you'd tell and how you'd record it.
Official sources
- APSC: The interview and other assessment
- APSC: Applying for an APS job (STAR model)
- APSC: APS Values
- NSW Public Service Commission: Capability Framework
- Victorian Public Sector Commission: Public sector values
- WA Police Force: Selection process and interview
- Victoria Police: Recruitment process
Practice tests for these certifications
APS Entry-Level Jobs (APS 1 to APS 4) and the Career Starter Program
APS 1 to APS 4 jobs are the entry door to the federal public service: service officers, client engagement and contact centre roles, administration, records, compliance support and the Career Starter Program for school leavers.
Australian Government Graduate Program (APS Graduate)
APS graduates start on 12-month programs (some agencies run longer ones) in policy, programs, data, finance, law, digital and other streams, with rotations, formal training and a promotion when they finish.
Victoria Police Officer (Recruit to Constable)
Victoria Police officers start in general duties after a paid 25-week Police Foundation Training Program at the Academy in Glen Waverley, being sworn in at week 12 and completing the POL50124 Diploma of Policing over about two years.
WA Police Force Officer (Entry-Level Recruit to Probationary Constable)
WA police officers train for 28 weeks at the WA Police Academy in Joondalup, then serve 18 months as a Probationary Constable in metropolitan or regional Western Australia.
NSW Public Service Jobs (Clerk Grades and the NSW Government Graduate Program)
The NSW Public Service is Australia's largest state public service, with roles from Clerk Grade 1/2 administration to senior policy jobs, plus an 18-month Graduate Program with three rotations.
Victorian Public Service (VPS) Jobs and the Victorian Government Graduate Program
The Victorian Public Service employs people in departments such as Premier and Cabinet, Treasury and Finance, Justice and Community Safety, Health and Government Services, in grades VPS 1 to VPS 6 and above.
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not legal advice. The recruiting agency rules change; confirm with the recruiting agency before you apply.
