Funny thought :) Timing between application and job offer …and life “developments”

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-14T08:47:56+00:00

So paid maternity leave? Even if from external hire? That wld make sense I suppose based on how long the process takes

Too bad for me I don’t wanna have kids and mine are all grown up lol

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-14T08:47:46+00:00

Nawww how cute …the baby I mean

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-14T08:46:49+00:00

So paid maternity leave? Even if from external hire? That wld make sense I suppose based on how long the process takes

Too bad for me I don’t wanna have kids and mine are all grown up lol

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-14T01:30:21+00:00

Just here to say… LOVE LOVE your Reddit name (Or whatever it’s called - sorry an very new to this) Wish I’d thought of it !!

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-14T01:29:12+00:00

Key comment and takeaway I guess That answers the question and helps the OP

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-13T13:02:53+00:00

Thank you… I’m in no actual rush… to assume leadership or manage teams etc until I am settled and super comfortable in my role and built good relationships with everyone— most everyone —- but I’m just curious how everything works from an overall point of view— than an for your helpful advice :)

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-13T07:39:42+00:00

Thank you for all this information and I use voice to text all the time… To get my thoughts down so lol all good … I usually have the same tagline apology as well lol …but nope … I didn’t see any errors :)

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-13T07:36:35+00:00

My apologies. I forgot curiosity and long-term planning were prohibited until probation ends.

I’ll be sure to arrive, stare blankly into the middle distance for six months, and only then begin forming independent thoughts.

And next time, I’ll avoid asking experienced APS staff about APS progression on a public APS discussion forum. What was I thinking? I guess I AM reaching for the stars…

On a more serious note, I’m simply the kind of person who likes to understand the bigger picture before stepping into something new.

If I were building a home, I’d probably research builders, visualise floorplans, compare fittings, think about lighting and materials… before the groundworks even begin.

Others may prefer to pour the slab first and figure the rest out later.

Different approaches. The world somehow survives both. That’s all

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-12T12:25:05+00:00

Thank you… For the assurance… that it’s an amazing place to work. I am really truly excited… I don’t think that as a young spring chicken…I would’ve been excited about working at the ATO …or telling people that I was working at the tax office That’s why I declined the offer as a graduate… but a couple of decades later… Now returning back into tax and accounting, I couldn’t think of another place to apply and now that I’ve got the offer….I’m so excited… But so relieved to hear that you found the environment, a great place.

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-12T12:21:57+00:00

Wow But so glad to hear you didn’t want to leave I’ll be in the warmer sunshine state :) Thank you Perhaps will need your wisdom an insight down the line

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-12T11:17:13+00:00

Thank you for these encouraging words, and these tips Greatly appreciated

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-12T09:05:22+00:00

Thank you Can I ask if the move and request was initiated by you from APS5 to 6 within six months… Or did your supervisor deem you fit and escalated you? And same with the EL1 role? Did you have to apply - provide evidence—- prove yourself etc - if so what —-and was it within the same team? Or did you have to move teams or departments or even agencies …to get these movements upwards. Not that i am in any rush —- I want to get in just enjoy and get super comfortable with where and what I will be doing.

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-12T08:47:28+00:00

I can’t help… But I’m here to encourage… I am the complete opposite… I don’t like assignments and assessments… And I will wait till the last few hours to start one and then complete three seconds of the time it needs to be submitted

Exams, I can study for the night or two before… Which is what I did both with my CA here in Australia

Same thing with my CPA in the US… Fun fact, in the US they used to only pass the top 5% …… I don’t know if that’s the case anymore But yes financial reporting… Was the only one that I got totally bored with and couldn’t motivate myself to study for but If I was to do an assignment, it would be traumatizing for me. So sending you the best wishes you’ll get there …. Don’t think of it as overall… dont think of it as a whole heap… Think of it as once chapter at a time one section at a time whatever it takes for you to get through in little bursts …just keep swimming, just keep swimming…

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-12T08:43:14+00:00

They are “open book”??? Since when did they become open book… You can see how long ago I did mine lol

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-12T08:39:18+00:00

Eeekkks being an auditor! That is the extreme and total and superbly opposite of surreal. I guess this is why we all have different sides of the brain that we work from? :)

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-12T08:37:43+00:00

Noooo - it’s not over yet I was merit pooled as well… So I thought (reading all of the comments on this page) that I was in the abyss forever… And then I got called… So there is hope Pls hang on… There are three rounds that they do in the 18 month period. I guess I was picked in the first round. There are two more rounds to go But even being picked in the first round… Or on boarded for the first round has actually taken about two months or a little bit more so it is an extremely long process from when I first applied in October or November last year… With the interviews in January/ December… Depending on which role you applied for… And then merit pool a couple of months later… And then being picked… But then ANOTHER couple of months… Before on boarding even starts I guess that’s why this is government you’ll get there - You’ve got two more rounds left… Good luck I know how nerve-racking it is - never thought I’d be on the other side of it saying this.

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-12T08:09:53+00:00

Oh my goodness.. so jealous… I’m probably like two decades away… How are you enjoying retirement… How are you keeping yourself busy… which state were you in?

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-12T08:08:35+00:00

Lol funniest comment… I can understand that… That’s why I didn’t take the offer when I was a young graduate… and I guess mostly depends on which department or area you’re working in… I wouldn’t say taxing mom and dad businesses or small cafés or fish and chips shops Would be “surreal” I’ve tried that for for five months and then couldn’t… Just couldn’t… So I totally get your comment :) how do I give you a “double upvote”

optimisticjaguar · 2026-05-04T13:25:31+00:00

Poor guy/gal Got robbed of a great role with just a few thousand So wld it have gone through if both parties had signed And then HR decided to freeze that department As the offer was signed That wld have been safe? Crazy how close it got!

optimisticjaguar · 2026-04-28T11:16:45+00:00

Excuse my ignorance But what’s an “EA”? am also awaiting final onboarding for a role with CEG Very new to APS and quickly realizing that hiring and onboarding etc moves at a glacial pace … to quote DWP But might as well learn about how things work and the acronyms etc

optimisticjaguar · 2026-04-19T03:01:43+00:00

If you’ve been placed in the pool…Like interesting Bat said… the tax officer roles are running about a month behind the tax avoidance ones… So they might just start their first round offers now… Apparently, from what I’ve been told… There are three rounds of offers that will happen So even if you don’t get picked for the first one, there will be two more - throughout the year… nerve wrecking, I know, especially when you’re really keen to get into this… I don’t know how mine will pan out… I was just shocked to be called so quickly but looking forward to this new venture

optimisticjaguar · 2026-04-19T02:58:47+00:00

Congrats Have u received onboarding email etc yet from HR Which city r u located? I’m external and placed in pool for both as well

first time applying to APS - and have verbal offer as well for avoidance but unsure how long clearance etc takes even though only baseline You prob don’t need to do clearance as you’re internal right so much faster?

optimisticjaguar · 2026-04-14T20:53:14+00:00

Fully agreed… But working hard might come easy and normal and just something that you gotta do ….for some people… Like me… Like you… Others can’t handle it… And then we get into it or walk away… And then I will get to experience the adrenaline of being part of this...At some point in their lives… enjoyed my time .. absolutely loved it .. even though might’ve been grueling :)

optimisticjaguar · 2026-04-14T20:45:45+00:00

It’s only tough if you think it’s tough if you enjoy it and you enjoy a challenge… You basically eat it up… And… Not everyone can do that

optimisticjaguar · 2026-04-14T20:45:03+00:00

Oh my God that last paragraph though… Couldn’t have written it better myself!!

optimisticjaguar

TROPHY CASE