THE ELITE CAREER BLOG

Why EL1 is the Best Entry Point for Private Sector Leaders Moving into the APS Making the Shift from Private to Public (Part 2 of a 3-Part Series)

Adriana Modersitzki
March 17, 2025
2:26 pm

Why EL1 is the Best Entry Point for Private Sector Professionals Moving into the APS

Making the Shift from Private to Public Part 2 of a 3-Part Series

Foreword: Understanding Your APS Career Strategy

At The Elite Collective, we’ve worked with countless private sector managers and senior leaders looking to move into the Australian Public Service (APS). One of the biggest questions we hear is:

“If I’m an experienced leader in the private sector, should I apply for EL1 or EL2?”

Many people assume EL2 is the logical next step based on their leadership experience, salary expectations, or seniority in their industry. However, as we covered in Part 1: APS EL1 vs EL2 – Which APS Leadership Role is Right for Private Sector Professionals?, APS hiring works very differently from private sector recruitment, and EL2 roles are far harder to secure without prior APS experience.

This three-part series is designed to help private sector professionals make a successful transition into APS leadership roles by explaining where they fit, how to position themselves, and how to secure an EL role.

Part 1: APS EL1 vs EL2 – Which APS Leadership Role is Right for Private Sector Professionals?
If you’re new to APS job levels, start here. This article breaks down the differences between EL1 and EL2, including decision-making, leadership expectations, and policy influence, helping you assess where your experience aligns.

Part 2: Why EL1 is the Best Entry Point for Private Sector Leaders Moving into the APS (You’re here!)
This article focuses on strategy—why EL1 is often the best pathway into the APS, why EL2 roles can be more difficult to secure, and how private sector skills map to EL1 leadership expectations.

Part 3: How to Maximise Your Success in Landing an EL Role as a Private Sector Leader
Once you know where you fit in the APS, Part 3 will take it a step further—explaining how to write an APS-ready application, tailor your resume using the ILS, and avoid the common mistakes that hold private sector applicants back.

Whether you’re just starting to explore APS leadership opportunities or actively applying, this series will help you make informed decisions and transition into the APS with confidence.

Now, let’s take a deeper look at why EL1 is the strongest and most realistic entry point for private sector professionals—and how it can set you up for long-term APS success.

Let’s get into it.

Why is an EL1 Role is More Attainable for a Private Sector Leaders moving to the APS?

For many people transitioning from private to public sector leadership, EL1 provides the most strategic and accessible pathway into the APS. While EL2 may seem like the natural choice, the reality is that it can be incredibly different due to the differences in the role responsibilities and assumed knowledge. We’re confident saying that it’s far more likely for external hires to start at EL1 due to the structured nature of APS hiring, leadership expectations, and promotion pathways.

Unlike EL2, which demands whole-of-government leadership experience, EL1 allows professionals to enter the APS, develop policy knowledge, and build leadership credentials within a public sector environment.

EL1 Balances Technical and Leadership Responsibilities
Many private sector leaders are used to leading teams while remaining hands-on in project execution. EL1 aligns well with this experience, as it requires both leadership and direct operational involvement.
At EL1, you’re still actively managing teams, delivering projects, and driving operational outcomes—but within a structured APS framework. In contrast, EL2 is almost entirely strategic, focusing on whole-of-government leadership, policy direction, and inter-agency collaboration. This makes EL1 a natural entry point for professionals with backgrounds in project management, stakeholder engagement, business transformation, or industry-specific expertise.

EL1 Requires Less APS-Specific Leadership Experience
APS leadership differs significantly from the private sector. At EL2, candidates are expected to have deep knowledge of APS decision-making, governance, and policy frameworks.
EL1, however, allows professionals to develop this understanding while still contributing as a leader. You will gain exposure to APS structures, policy interpretation, and whole-of-government processes while working under the guidance of EL2s and SES officers. Starting at EL1 provides a learning curve that makes progressing to EL2 far more attainable than trying to enter the APS at a level that assumes pre-existing government leadership experience.

EL1 Hiring is More Open to External Candidates
Government agencies are far more flexible in hiring external candidates at the EL1 level, particularly in technical or operationally focused roles. Many APS hiring managers view private sector professionals as an asset at EL1, bringing specialist expertise and industry knowledge into the public sector. At EL2, however, external hiring is significantly less common. These positions are typically filled internally by EL1s who have spent years developing APS-specific leadership experience, policy expertise, and inter-agency influence.
If you’re transitioning from the private sector, securing an EL1 role positions you within the APS, giving you a clear pathway to EL2 while avoiding the common barriers private sector candidates face at higher levels.

EL1 Provides a Clear Career Progression to EL2
Some professionals worry that starting at EL1 will limit their career progression—but in reality, it strategically positions them for long-term success. Many private sector leaders transition into EL2 roles within a few years of securing an EL1 position.

Once you gain APS experience, policy knowledge, and build leadership exposure, moving from EL1 to EL2 becomes significantly easier than trying to secure EL2 straight from the private sector.

Why EL2 is a More Difficult Leap from the Private Sector

While not impossible, securing an EL2 APS role without prior government experience is significantly harder. EL2 is not just a senior management role—it’s a strategic leadership position that requires deep APS knowledge, governance expertise, and whole-of-government influence.

At EL2, hiring managers expect candidates to:

Influence government decision-making and shape policy.
Lead at a cross-agency level and align with national priorities.

Have prior APS leadership experience or significant government-adjacent expertise.

For private sector leaders without direct APS experience, demonstrating these capabilities in an EL2 application is extremely challenging—which is why most external hires enter at EL1.

Are There Exceptions? When a Private Sector Candidate Might Land an EL2 Role

While EL1 remains the best entry point for most professionals, there are situations where a private sector candidate may secure an EL2 role, particularly when they bring highly specialised expertise or strong government-adjacent experience.

APS agencies occasionally recruit external candidates for EL2 positions in fields that require deep technical knowledge. Areas such as cybersecurity, digital transformation, procurement, commercial advisory, engineering, and regulatory compliance often look to private sector specialists to bring industry best practices into the public sector.

Another pathway is for professionals with significant experience working alongside government. Those who have consulted for APS agencies, managed major government contracts, or led teams in highly regulated industries may be better positioned to demonstrate an understanding of public sector governance, accountability, and compliance—factors that are critical for EL2 roles.

Finally, candidates with a track record of engaging with senior government executives, influencing APS decision-making, or leading high-level advisory functions may have an advantage. If your private sector role has required direct collaboration with government at an executive level, you may be able to demonstrate the strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement needed for EL2.

However, these situations are exceptions rather than the norm. For most private sector professionals, EL1 remains the strongest and most strategic entry point into APS leadership.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right APS Entry Point as a Private Sector Leader

Through our years of experience coaching professionals across diverse industries, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t when it comes to securing APS executive roles.

Here’s what we know: EL1 is often the most strategic entry point for most private sector professionals.

While EL2 may seem like the natural next step, APS leadership expectations, policy knowledge requirements, and whole-of-government thinking make direct EL2 transitions rare. The most effective way to position yourself for long-term APS success is to start at EL1, build public sector experience, and progress strategically to EL2 and beyond.

Yes—there are rare exceptions where private sector professionals can transition directly into EL2, but these typically require highly specialised expertise or significant government-adjacent experience. For most professionals, starting at EL1 is the proven, strategic pathway into APS leadership.

This Blog is Part of a Three-Part Series on Transitioning into the APS

Part 1: APS EL1 vs EL2 – Which APS Leadership Role is Right for Private Sector Professionals?
Breaks down APS leadership structure and the key differences between EL1 and EL2, helping you identify where you fit.

Part 2: You’re currently here!:
Explains why EL1 is the most realistic starting point, why direct EL2 entry is rare, and how to strategically approach your APS job search.

Part 3: How to Maximise Your Success in Landing an EL Role as a Private Sector Leader
Now that you understand where you fit, this blog unpacks the APS hiring process, explains selection criteria, Work Level Standards, the Integrated Leadership System (ILS), and how to structure your application for success.

Need Expert Help Transitioning into an APS Leadership Role?

At The Elite Collective, we don’t just offer career advice—we offer proven strategies that get results.

We’ve helped countless private sector leaders successfully navigate the APS job application process and secure executive-level roles, and we’d love to be part of your next career move.

You can find our FAQ here, our fee structure here, and our contact form here.

Learn More