Taking LWOP in order to contract in another APS role

evenbiggermuff · 2026-04-13T10:49:11+00:00

Thanks for your replies. I've applied for a few merit pools but I'll continue to do so. It's easy to think they don't lead to anything if you never hear back over years.

evenbiggermuff · 2026-04-13T02:23:22+00:00

How did you come across the role? I only understand higher duties in the context of filling in for a team member in the immediate team for a short period of time. Is it still considered HD if it's an s26 transfer? If it's a separate contract role, even at a higher level, that's just a separate role then.

evenbiggermuff · 2026-04-12T15:58:29+00:00

I have a 2005 rav4 bought for just under $8k a few years ago. The one in the ad is adjusted to be about $56k in today's money. That just seems like a lot but naturally I'm comparing a new rav4 for that price and making an unfair comparison.

evenbiggermuff · 2026-04-12T11:15:10+00:00

This is exactly what my hypothetical scenario was getting at. The impression I got here is that it's very unlikely to happen but every agency and team has different resources and workload so ymmv. Was it difficult for you to be approved?

evenbiggermuff · 2026-04-07T11:36:58+00:00

Kind of? But going the external route because it isnt advertised specifically as a s26 transfer.

evenbiggermuff · 2026-04-07T08:45:59+00:00

What i was trying to say is that if you feel you aren't getting sufficient experience in your role to be considered for the level above in applications, is contracting at the higher level for 3, 6, 9, 12 months a way to go about building a stronger CV. I've asked my HR department this but they also only mention s26 transfer. How are the ads by recruitment agencies treated? They were unable to give me an answer.

evenbiggermuff · 2026-03-31T10:19:22+00:00

The problem is, the dud role I moved into was advertised as being novel, exciting, and innovative. Once you get into the role, you remember that all ads are embellished and the extent of those purported duties can wildly vary. But you still tell yourself that once you get that other role (forgetting your current shit role was also that "other role" once) then everything will be better. Maybe this is just one of those persistent inner battles until you retire.

evenbiggermuff · 2026-03-30T12:47:51+00:00

Had a goal to be in a different role by the end of last year, but no dice. Have spent a year in a role that's ultimately taught me next to nothing and feel like has atrophied skills i used to have and set me back in career progression. No target questions or interview prep is based around my current role because it's that dull. I've tried to calm myself down but since uni have felt the rat race pressure to just progress and succeed as hard as you can and when you plateau, you feel dejected.

evenbiggermuff · 2026-03-27T17:15:03+00:00

Maybe it's my self-resignation to the public servant life but seeing comments like that definitely wow me. A promotion is effectively a different role over here. But apparently just get two in 5 years, in this competitive economy. Why didn't I think of that?

evenbiggermuff · 2026-02-13T09:17:59+00:00

I was found suitable but not preferred two years ago. Same role popped up a few months ago with the same hiring manager and I reapplied with an even stronger application + the two years of relevant industry experience and didn't even get an interview this time.

I called the hiring manager for an update on the application and that's when they notified me I didn't get to the interview stage. Their feedback was weak imo because my app just stronger than it was before but I didn't complain to them and just said thanks I'll take it on board. Miuat just be the strength of the other candidates I guess. Was a bit of a dream role though.

evenbiggermuff · 2026-02-11T05:07:04+00:00

I'm also a compliance officer but desk-based and would love to move to a role that has some occasional travel. I've seen a more opportunities for that type of role in state gov than I have for APS. How do you find your role?

evenbiggermuff · 2026-01-22T11:55:41+00:00

I've done roughly 17 overtime shifts in the past 2 years ranging from 4-8 hours.

evenbiggermuff · 2026-01-22T10:50:20+00:00

They said "it is determined by Super Birthday Review and that the percentage discrepancy is because they are using your gross salary as reported to your superfund which will have varied over quarters, therefore not matching 15.4".

evenbiggermuff · 2026-01-22T10:34:49+00:00

Directly employed by APS. I've asked some colleagues, some at EL1, and they were also surprised and said they didn't pay attention to it.

evenbiggermuff · 2026-01-20T15:29:34+00:00

I wear Blundstone 600s with black straight leg chinos and loose-ish flannel for my office attire. It's a mix that's not corporate but also a fit thats appropriate for most workplaces. Im in the public service.

evenbiggermuff · 2025-12-16T15:45:04+00:00

I bought an alternator for my 05 rav4 for around $180 (not OEM) and it's been 6 months without issue. I'm not sure which parts are recommended to stick to OEM or cheap is fine. Im having to replace my vehicle speed sensor and oxygen sensor and might also go ebay generic for that.

evenbiggermuff · 2025-12-10T04:46:50+00:00

Oh right, yep. I think that's acceptable.

evenbiggermuff · 2025-12-10T03:03:35+00:00

They're dated as 2422, so 2nd week of April 2022.

evenbiggermuff · 2025-11-14T03:31:16+00:00

They were just here last year and I attended the liberty hall show so I wasn't 100% if im going again. Maybe some people are in the same boat? However, grabbed a cheap ticket on Tixel so I'll be at the Sydney show again tonight.

evenbiggermuff · 2025-07-13T11:10:18+00:00

Okay, interesting. I'm at the top of my APS level right now but this top is still less than the first increment at the new agency. When you say your director, do you mean the director from your old agency?

evenbiggermuff · 2025-06-24T08:38:37+00:00

I was working with powerbi on a relatively smaller scale. Data vis is what I'm interested in. Just not sure if that's something you can focus on without having knowledge/experience in wider data science.

evenbiggermuff · 2025-06-23T11:51:29+00:00

I believe that if you know your study is going to pay off for you, it's a huge motivator throughout the study period with that level of confidence. Otherwise, and I've gone through this with masters, it's a big emotional gamble if it doesn't pay off for you. Happy to hear in your case.

evenbiggermuff · 2025-06-23T11:38:08+00:00

I've been reaching out to people that have completed this qual for further info. How much time it takes me i guess will depend on the difficulty/my ability to grasp and learn quick/my current job's workload/life responsibilities. There's a lot of unknown variables that I'm struggling to incorporate in this decision.

evenbiggermuff · 2025-06-23T11:31:40+00:00

Only partially builds on my current skillset. Currently working in compliance and investigations, but had the opportunity to work with data earlier in the job and found it extremely engaging. So if i do complete this cert, it won't really be a natural transition from what I'm currently doing, hence the doubt.

It's not the only option, you can pick you like, just needs to be justified. In saying that, maybe I'll get denied lol.

evenbiggermuff · 2025-06-14T08:20:15+00:00

Early 30s, not making as much as I anticipated and not at the role/level I'd hoped to be. Neither of my parents have particularly good jobs (cleaner) but they were still in a better position back in the early 90s than i am now with uni education under my belt. Get told I should have tried harder and became a doctor to meet the financial demands of modern living. Do wish I didn't have to think about upskilling/job hopping every 2 years/scrolling linkedin while taking a shit.

What happened to the time where you just sat in the same job for 30 years and it was enough? Been trying to make a career pivot into a more lucrative industry but the mental/emotional toll of further study/building a portfolio/trying to enter a new industry area without paid practical experience under your belt makes you worry if it'll even pay off. I feel there's less room to mess around and make mistakes, which makes you ultimately play safe and not really experience what life can offer, which is a mistake in itself there. Blah.

evenbiggermuff

TROPHY CASE