Working for the Government

Federal/Commonwealth Government Positions

There is no absolute requirement for Australian citizenship. However, there is a general expectation that a person who is to be engaged as an Australian Public Service (APS) employee will be an Australian citizen, although non-citizens can be engaged in certain circumstances. Like a number of other countries, the Australian Government considers that it is appropriate for government employees to be Australian citizens as a demonstration of their commitment to, and long-term stake in, the future of Australia. Section 22(8) of the PS Act requires an agency head not to engage, as an APS employee, a person who is not an Australian citizen unless the agency head considers it appropriate to do so. Federal Government Positions


State Government Positions

Each State can employ whoever it wishes, and there appears to be no rule for Citizenship requirement. Even Temp Visa holders are known to be employed in some State Government positions.

EG: Who can work for Victorian Government?

To gain employment with the Victorian Government you need to be an:

• Australian Citizen : a birth certificate, citizenship certificate or current passport is proof of eligibility.
or
• Australian Permanent Resident or a New Zealand citizen with a valid passport : A passport with a permanent visa or certificate of evidence of resident status is proof of eligibility.
or
• Non-citizens with a valid visa that provides work rights