Delivering Merit-Based Volume Recruitment
Background
The government agency required support to deliver multiple bulk recruitment activities to fill operational and leadership vacancies within a regulatory environment, including APS5, APS6 and EL1 positions supporting responsibilities under new legislation. The recruitment activity aimed to efficiently identify and assess candidates while ensuring consistency, fairness and compliance with APS merit principles.
Our Approach
DFP designed and delivered a comprehensive virtual recruitment solution, supporting the end-to-end assessment and selection process across multiple recruitment campaigns. Our approach combined workforce planning, virtual assessment delivery and evidence-based candidate evaluation to support informed hiring decisions and future workforce planning.
Key activities included:
Developing recruitment strategies, project plans and delivery timeframes for multiple bulk recruitment campaigns.
Designing assessment methodologies aligned to APS merit principles and capability requirements.
Delivering online competency assessments, work sample exercises, simulated work activities and interviews.
Managing candidate communication, scheduling and helpdesk support throughout the recruitment process.
Providing virtual assessment technology and coordinating assessment activities.
Training assessors and developing scoring guides and assessment materials.
Preparing candidate reports, ranking candidates in accordance with APS merit principles and delivering final selection reports.
Outcomes
DFP's recruitment and assessment model enabled the implementation of a structured, merit-based approach to bulk recruitment while supporting future workforce planning requirements:
Supported recruitment for key regulatory and leadership positions across APS5, APS6 and EL1 classifications.
Designed and delivered multiple virtual assessment activities tailored to role and capability requirements.
Implemented assessment methodologies aligned with APS merit principles and recruitment standards.
Delivered detailed candidate assessment reports incorporating scores and behavioural evidence.
Ranked candidates and supported the establishment of merit pools to address ongoing workforce requirements.
Provided recommendations and process insights to support continuous improvement of future recruitment activities
Since the commencement of the contract in 2025, results for APS5, APS6 and EL1 processes have included:
Over 2,200 applications received and screened
Over 2,200 online assessments facilitated
Over 730 video interviews and work samples administered
Over 300 candidates progressed to reference checking
Over 300 suitable candidates identified and presented for merit pool consideration
