The People Panel - Recruitment and Search (SON3897769) is part of the broader People Panel arrangement. It enables Commonwealth entities to engage services to support recruitment of APS employees for ongoing and non-going positions, and search activities relating to board positions.
Panel term
Recruitment and search services commenced on 19 October 2022 and will expire on 30 September 2026. Finance may extend these services at its discretion for up to 2 years additional years. Any extension may be taken in full or in separate time periods in any combination.
Scope of services
Recruitment and search services cover the recruitment of Australian Public Service (APS) employees for ongoing or non-ongoing roles, and search activities for Commonwealth board positions.
The service categories for the panel include:
- general recruitment for APS to EL2 and equivalent roles
- executive recruitment for SES Band 1 to Band 3 roles, equivalent positions and statutory appointments
- expert/specialised recruitment for personnel with advanced knowledge, extensive experience, and specialised qualifications that are not commonly available in the APS
- candidate sourcing services to identify and source highly skilled candidates for advertised vacancies at any level
- board search services to support searches for potential board appointments.
General and executive recruitment
General and executive recruitment provide end-to-end recruitment as a bundled service. Bundled services include:
- screening and shortlisting
- interview and verification
- selection reporting
- notify and debrief
Entities may include further services as an unbundled service. Unbundled services include:
- formulating position requirements
- preparation for advertising
- additional recruitment activities, as defined in a contract.
Fees for bundled services are based on the number of applications received for the relevant recruitment process.
APS1 – SES Band 2 applications are banded into brackets of 40 applications (1-40; 41-80, etc.) up to a maximum of 400 applications. If more than 400 applications are received, additional fees apply for each extra application.
SES Band 3 applications are banded into brackets of 10, up to a maximum of 100. After 100 applications, an additional fee applies for each application received.
To help estimate contract values, Finance recommends conducting market research early to understand market conditions and estimate the likely number of applicants.
Unbundled service fees are based on the hourly rate of the service provider personnel.
Assessment testing
Assessment testing can be used in conjunction with general, executive or expert/specialised recruitment. It involves three types of assessment:
- psychometric testing
- cognitive testing
- behavioural testing.
Fees are charged on a per-candidate basis.
Scribing or search services for general or executive recruitment can be added to an order as additional recruitment activities.
Expert/specialised roles
Expert/specialised role recruitment provides end-to-end recruitment and search services. Services include:
- maintaining a candidate pool
- screening and shortlisting
- interview and verification
- selection reporting
- notify and debrief.
Entities may include further services in an order as additional activities. These services include:
- formulating position requirements
- preparation for advertising
- any additional activities, as specified in a contract.
This service category is intended to support the recruitment of:
- personnel required to fill a role that the entity considers specialised due to the expert nature of the role
- personnel who are experts with extensive knowledge, experience, and advanced education in their field
- personnel not generally available in the Australian Public Service.
Fees for end-to-end services are charged per vacancy. Fees for additional activities are charged at the hourly rate of the service provider’s personnel.
Candidate sourcing services
Candidate sourcing services involve a contracted service provider identifying and sourcing candidates to support an existing, advertised vacancy.
To avoid conflicts of interest, a service provider delivering recruitment services for the role under general, executive, or expert/specialised service categories cannot also provide candidate sourcing services for the same vacancy.
Entities should consider whether candidate sourcing services are required when planning a recruitment process. Running the procurement process for candidate sourcing services at the same time as the recruitment services process allows providers to submit responses concurrently and supports informed decision making by the delegate.
Fees are charged on a milestone basis for each candidate. For engagements of 6 months or more, 80% of the fee is payable at the start of the engagement, and the remaining 20% is payable after the candidate completes 6 months of service. For engagements of less than 6 months, the final 20% is payable when the candidate completes the engagement.
A fee is payable only when a candidate represented by the service provider is successful in the recruitment process. No fee is payable if the represented unsuccessful.
Candidate sourcing services are not suitable for entities seeking candidates without an advertised recruitment process. For alternative engagement methods, including introduction services for APS employees transferring under section 26 and placement services for non-ongoing APS roles, refer to the People Panel labour hire services arrangement.
Board search services
Board search services provide end-to-end search services for board chair and board member positions.
Services included in a board search process include:
- initial candidate search
- candidate screening
- provision of search report
- consultation
- on off viability check.
Board search service fees are structured on a fee per vacancy model.
Entities may include additional board activities as part of an order. Fees for additional board activities are charged on the hourly rate of the service provider’s personnel.
The Scope of Services table sets out the services (including service categories within the services).
User guide
The user guide provides information and guidance on Recruitment and Search Services. The guide is intended for Commonwealth entities, including procurement teams and officials procuring services from the panel.
Recruitment and Search: User Guide
The guide covers:
- information about the panel, including the scope and benefits
- which entities can use the panel and how to join
- step-by-step instructions on using the panel, including issuing requests for quotes and work orders
- an overview of relevant connected policies and requirements.
For more information contact the team via email at peoplepanelcontract@finance.gov.au or phone on Ph:(02) 6215 3080.
Reporting
Schedule 4 of the head agreement sets out the reporting requirements that apply to Finance.
Service providers must provide Finance with reports in line with Schedule 4 (Reporting) at their own expense. Finance may also request additional reports where reasonable. If requested, service providers must provide written confirmation that the reports are accurate.
After the agreement expires, service providers must continue to provide reports at no cost for any existing contract. This requirement applies until all invoices have been paid and reported to Finance.
Contact
For further information or to request access to the panel or supporting systems, contact peoplepanelcontract@finance.gov.au.
