Continuing to Serve: VetPaths – the APS Veteran Employment Pathway

VetPaths is a support pathway for veterans new to the Australian Public Service (APS). VetPaths is coordinated by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) on behalf of the APS. The purpose of VetPaths is to highlight employment opportunities to veterans and to provide a structured support system once employed.  VetPaths supports veterans by ensuring they have access to resources and connections that promote career readiness, personal development, and wellbeing.  Veterans employed in the APS contribute to the capability and diversity of the public service through the unique skills, experience and perspectives they bring.

What is VetPaths

Pathway Overview

The purpose of VetPaths is to highlight new APS employment opportunities to veterans, support veterans with the application process and to provide a structured support system once employed. VetPaths supports veterans by ensuring they have access to resources and connections that promote career readiness, personal development, and wellbeing. 

VetPaths aims to:

• Contribute to veteran employment by encouraging veterans to apply to the APS.
• Provide veterans with resources and support to apply for and secure roles in the APS.
• Provide veterans with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in the APS.
• Facilitate personal and professional growth through mentoring, targeted development opportunities and wellbeing supports.
• Foster a sense of continued service and contribution through securing roles within the APS relevant to the veterans skills and past experiences.

The pathway reinforces the APS’s commitment to being a veteran-friendly employer, recognising the value veterans bring to the public service and the wider community.

For agencies and the APS, the pathway delivers:

• Enhanced workforce capability through the unique skills, experience, and perspectives that veterans bring.
• Retention of veterans within the workforce by providing appropriate supporting mechanisms to succeed.

VetPaths Support Pillars Overview

Over a six-month period, support will be centred around the pillars of ‘Development, Connection and Wellness’ with participants engaging in formal learning & development, career mentoring, and activities for wellness and peer support to ensure they thrive in their APS careers.

Through the pathway, participants will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed, they will build a strong support network and be offered a series of workshops centred around identified needs and tailored supports.

See below overview of the timings associated with the pathway:

How to apply

DVA are the lead agency, delivering the pathway on behalf of the APS.

Current agencies and departments participating in VetPaths are referred to as ‘participating agencies’ and for 2025 this includes:    

• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Department of Defence
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• Services Australia

Recruitment is led by each participating agency, with job advertisements featuring an inclusion statement to encourage applications from veterans and ensure veterans are aware of the VetPaths supports available to them when they join. 

Inclusion Statement:

“The Australian Public Service (APS) values the unique skills, perspectives, and experiences that veterans gain during their Australian Defence Force (ADF) employment and encourage veterans to apply. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers veterans an opportunity to participate in a six-month program offering formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer supports".

Launch Approach

While there is no single launch date for VetPaths, job advertisements featuring the pathway will begin appearing with some participating agencies from 24 April 2025. Other agencies will follow shortly thereafter.

Interested applicants can sign up to job alerts to ensure they are notified when a role tagged with ‘VetPaths’ is advertised.

Where to look for vacancies 

Participating agencies will advertise vacancies online. These will feature on their website and at APSJobs website. 

When a position of interest is found, selecting Apply Now redirects to the advertising agency’s website to begin the application process. 

Each role will be applied for and managed through the employing agency’s website – not APSJobs itself. 

Applicants are encouraged to set up alerts. Applicants can specify their role interest, i.e. classification, location, job type and include tags such as  ‘VetPaths’, so if a role is advertised they are notified.

How to find vacancies offering VetPaths in APS Jobs

1. From the job search main page select ‘advanced search’.
2. On the left-hand side of the screen, select ‘refine search’. Scroll down to ‘Programs and Initiatives’.
3. From the ‘Programs and Initiatives’ under the drop-down menu, select ‘VetPaths’.

APSJobs will display all current employment opportunities offering VetPaths.

How to set-up job alerts in APSJobs for vacancies offering VetPaths

Job alerts in APSJobs allow notifications for job listings that match specific criteria. Follow these steps to create and manage job alerts:

1. Log in to APSJobs

       Ensure an active APSJobs account is logged in before setting up job alerts.

2. Perform a Job Search

• Use the search function to find jobs that meet specific criteria.
• Multiple search filters can be applied, but each selection must be added individually.

3. Apply Search Filters

      Refine the job search by selecting criteria such as:

• Classification: e.g., APS 4 – APS 6 (each classification must be selected separately).
• Employment Type: Full-time, Part-time, Casual, etc.
• Location: Filter by state or territory.
• Agency: Select specific government agencies or departments.
• Job Type or Programs and Initiatives: Further refine results based on job type or initiative categories (note: roles tagged as ‘VetPaths’ will appear here).
• Keywords: Use relevant keywords to narrow down search results.

     To remove a filter, click the X next to it at the top of the search results.

4. Save the Search as an Alert

       Once all desired filters have been selected:

1. Click Save This Search at the top of the filters.
2. Enter a name for the search and save.

      The saved search will now be stored under the user profile.

      Multiple searches can be saved and managed from the profile page.  

5. Follow Specific Job Listings

      To track a specific job listing:

• Click the heart icon on the right side of the listing to follow it.
• Click the heart icon again to stop following the job.  

6. Enable Email Alerts

      Under the profile settings, enable email notifications for:

• Updates to followed job listings.
• New job postings that match saved search criteria.

For FAQ’s visit.

Important Information:

• APSJobs does not store any applications that have been started.
• Creating an account is only necessary to receive job alerts. Job searches can be conducted without an account.
• When registering for an account, using a personal email address is recommended to ensure ongoing access and a seamless experience.
• Accounts can now be created and managed independently, reducing the need to request updates, such as when changing roles or associated email addresses.
• If the registration email is not received, check the junk or spam folder.

Tips for applying

The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is a statutory agency of the Australian Government, within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, that acts to ensure the organisational and workforce capability to meet future needs and sustainability of the APS. 

The APSC provide resources on understanding APS recruitment processes and learning how to apply to increase the chances of getting a job in the APS. For general information visit Joining the APS.

APSC have also developed Cracking the Code, a publication that includes specific information about APS applications, including stages of the process. 

Tips for application writing

For information on applying for jobs in the APS, including guidance on writing an application, resume and addressing the selection criteria, visit Cracking the Code: Applying for an APS job.

For FAQ’s visit.

From ADF to the APS

When considering a job change or career transition, applicants may feel as though they don’t meet the direct requirements of the advertised role. This is where understanding the concept of ‘transferrable skills’ is helpful.

Transferrable skills are qualities, skills and abilities developed in one context which can be applied or transferred from one job to another.

DVA also deliver the Veteran Employment Program (VEP), which aims to improve support for veterans moving to civilian employment and helps Australian organisations create work environments to attract and bring out the best in their veteran employees.

 VEP have designed a Veteran Employment Toolkit, which includes:

• Information for veterans seeking a civilian career.
• A practical guide for veterans applying for jobs.
• Adjusting to a civilian workforce.

Included is a Core Skills Identifier, designed to help translate ADF skills into language understood by the civilian workplace. This language can then be used in writing applications and preparing for interviews.

We acknowledge every individual has unique skills and experiences and suggest the use of this tool or others as a guide only. An individuals rank or role title is not considered in the selection process when hiring.

For more information on VEP initiatives visit https://www.veteransemployment.gov.au.

Understanding the application assessment and selection process 

Once applications close, they are assessed against the job requirements and compared with other applicants to create a shortlist of those who are suitable for further consideration. This process typically involves reviewing the CV, application and statement/pitch.

Shortlisting may be conducted based on the CV and pitch or it may also include additional assessment methods such as:

• A phone or Microsoft Teams interview.
• Online assessments, including video interviews, multiple-choice questions, or psychometric testing.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend a face-to-face interview. Using the job description as a guide, the interview may include:

• Questions designed to assess skills and experience.
• Behavioural-based questions.
• Hypothetical scenario-based questions.

In addition to, or instead of an interview, further assessments may be required, such as:

•  A work sample test.
• A presentation.
• Psychometric testing.

For support preparing for an interview, resources are available at Cracking the Code: The interview and other assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• VetPaths Agencies FAQ 
• VetPaths Applicants FAQ 

How to contact us

The DVA VetPaths team are here to support a successful pathway experience. For further queries email vetpaths@dva.gov.au.

What participants have said

Participants have loved being in the pathway. Here is what one of them had to say – stay tuned for more inspiring stories coming soon! 

Tony, Cyber Security Officer

My experience at DVA has been one of challenge and growth. It’s allowed me to continue to work for a meaningful cause and help other veterans.

Tony served full-time in all 3 arms of the ADF for more than 25 years. He also did about an extra 10 years in the reserve.

Tony’s most recent service before joining the APS was with the Royal Australian Navy. He commenced in the RAN as a communications system information specialist before transferring to become a Naval Police Coxswain until he was medically discharged in 2019.

After struggling to find employment following transition, especially as an older person, Tony applied to DVA’s VetPaths in late 2021. He was successful in gaining an initial position as a data analyst and then later as a cyber security officer in his home town of Brisbane.

He hopes to encourage other men and women transitioning out of the service to be confident and apply for VetPaths. He believes the qualities and values shared by ADF members are valuable and can help them stand out as candidates.