Applying for a review

Important note

This page has information about the promotion decision for vacancies advertised in the Australian Public Service Gazette after 1 April 2025. 

From 1 April 2025 until late 2026, the MPC will be operating concurrent review of promotion decision processes. This period of time covers how long a merit pool can remain active. 

If you are looking to lodge a review for a vacancy advertised before 1 April 2025, please see how to apply.

Who can apply for a review? 

To be eligible to seek a promotion review an applicant must:

• be an ongoing APS or Parliamentary Service employee
• be employed at APS 1 – 5 (or equivalent)
• have applied for a promotion to an ongoing APS role at a higher classification
• have applied for a review within 14 days from the date of the  promotion outcome notice in the APS Gazette (unless there are exceptional circumstances for the delay)

A 'promotion' is defined as a permanent move to a job at a higher classification. For a promotion review to be an option, the person who won the role must also be an ongoing APS or Parliamentary Service employee who has won a permanent APS role at a higher classification, 

An applicant must have reasons to believe the selection process was not compliant with the merit principle or the specific requirements in the Commissioner’s Directions on what a merit-based recruitment looks like. Further information and guidance on merit-based recruitment is on the APSC website. 

To be eligible for review, the recruitment exercise must not previously been subject to a review. 

The entitlement to seek a review under this part of the scheme is not available to Executive Level 1 - 2.

How to apply

The application form is your opportunity to explain what your concerns are. It is not necessary to refer to the sections of the legislation – rather we ask you to provide all the relevant details and information (such as dates, names, agency details) to explain your concern and why you think the process was not merit based.

Please also indicate if you have other supporting evidence or information.

You can contact us if you need help to make your application.

Apply here