Australia Typing Tests — Australian Public Service
The Australian Public Service does not run a centralised speed-based typing test for most APS 1-3 administrative cadres. Recruitment uses the APSJobs portal plus role-specific assessments emphasising selection-criteria written responses, behaviour-based interviews, and merit-list decisions. Where typing genuinely matters — Hansard reporters in Federal and State parliaments, court reporters via stenotype certification, and specialist data-handling cadres — the bar is professional certification or 40+ WPM English baselines.
- Authority
- APSC · APSJobs
- Language
- English (working)
- Specialist speed
- 40+ WPM English
- Hansard / Court
- 180+ WPM stenotype
Available typing tests
Each tile links to a dedicated practice page with full passage simulator, scoring, and a four-week prep plan.
Australian Public Service clerical
Standard APS clerical recruitment. Selection-criteria responses + interviews. Typing not a formal cutoff.
Federal / State Parliamentary reporter
Parliamentary verbatim recording. Australian Society of Stenographers certification. 180+ WPM stenotype.
Federal / State Court Reporter
Court verbatim recording via stenotype. Society of Stenographers (or state equivalent) certification. Selection by credential.
Tribunal clerks / data-entry cadres
Specialist tribunal and data-handling roles. 40 WPM English typing speed assessments at assessment-centre stage.
Frequently asked questions
For APS 1-3 generic clerical roles — no, not centrally. Recruitment focuses on selection-criteria responses, behaviour-based interviews, and merit-list assessment. Specialist roles in Hansard, court reporting, and high-volume data-entry tribunals do test typing, but these are exceptions.
STAR-method selection-criteria responses (Situation, Task, Action, Result) addressing the published Selection Criteria. Behaviour-based interview prep — concrete examples of how you've demonstrated the role's required behaviours in past contexts. The application narrative drives ranking far more than any typing speed.
Hansard reporters require Australian Society of Stenographers certification — a specialist training pathway with stenotype-machine practice and verbatim-accuracy standards. The career path is distinct from generic APS administrative cadres.
Yes — Victoria, NSW, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania state public services run independent recruitment with similar competency-based selection. Most use parallel STAR-method selection-criteria patterns, with typing not as a centralised cutoff.
Our Australia APS typing test page provides administrative English passages at the 40 WPM target — sufficient for any specialist APS role with typing assessment. Standard QWERTY only.
Australia APS aspirants commonly also target UK Civil Service AO, Canada CR-04, and Singapore PSD — Commonwealth-style English-medium administrative patterns with similar competency frameworks. Hansard candidates may also pursue Singapore Parliament and UK Hansard pathways via stenotype certification.