APS Typing Test — Australian Public Service Practice

Most Australian Public Service (APS) roles do not include a typing test, but some administrative, executive assistant and transcription positions do — usually a short typing speed and accuracy assessment. Admin roles that test typically ask around 40–60 WPM; transcription officers around 70. The APSJobs listing states the requirement. Practise above.

By Abhishek · Reviewed by The Ai-TypingTest Editorial Team · Last reviewed October 18, 2026

At a glance

APS Typing Test: the test format at a glance
Required speed	Typically 40–60 WPM for admin roles that test; ~70 for transcription
Duration	Typically 3–5 minutes
Errors allowed	Accuracy judged
Scoring	WPM and accuracy
Test format	Copy typing
Who uses it	Some APS admin, EA and transcription roles (e.g. APS2–APS4)

Key facts

APS selection usually focuses on capabilities and a pitch or statement of claims, not typing. [source]
Typing tests appear mainly for admin, executive assistant and transcription roles.
The listing's job information pack says if a skills test is part of selection.
Australian spelling follows British convention.

How the real test works

Check the job information pack on APSJobs. If a typing test applies, it is usually online or at the agency, a few minutes long, before or at interview.

How scoring works

A standard net-WPM copy test.

5-minute APS copy test: worked example
Characters typed correctly	1,300
÷ 5 characters per word	260 words
÷ 5 minutes	52 WPM
Errors (uncorrected words)	2
Result	Pass — 50+ WPM

How to pass

Most people who type within 10 WPM of the target can close the gap in a week; a bigger gap takes about a month of 15–20 minutes a day. Take one baseline run on the test above first, then follow the plan that fits your gap.

7-day plan (you are within about 10 WPM)

Day 1 — baseline. Three runs at the real test length. Write down your middle score and error count, not the best one.
Days 2–3 — accuracy first. Practise at a pace where you make almost no errors. On a test that counts errors, clean typing at 50 WPM beats fast typing with mistakes. Use an AI lesson to drill the keys your results flag as weak.
Days 4–5 — endurance. Two full-length runs a day. Speed usually drops in the final minute; aim to hold your pace to the end.
Day 6 — test conditions. Turn Backspace off in your head: fix nothing and see what your real error count is.
Day 7 — mock test. One run, first thing, no warm-up. That is the number to trust.

30-day plan (bigger gap, or starting out)

Week 1 — technique. Learn or relearn touch typing on the touch typing test and the finger chart. Expect your speed to dip.
Week 2 — accuracy. Daily 1-minute runs at 97%+ accuracy; slow down whenever you drop below.
Week 3 — speed. Short bursts 5–10 WPM above your comfortable pace (try 60 WPM), then one run at the real test length.
Week 4 — rehearsal. Every other day, a full mock test in exam format. Track your middle score; when it clears 50 WPM three times in a row, you are ready.

Full method: the 30-day typing improvement plan and how to type faster. Practise little and often — 15 minutes a day beats two hours at the weekend.

Test-day checklist

Use the kind of keyboard you will test on — a laptop keyboard and a desktop keyboard feel different.
Check the keyboard layout. On a UK keyboard @ and " are swapped compared with a US one — see UK vs US layout.
Warm up for five minutes beforehand — a short run on this page is enough.
Read the instructions twice: whether Backspace works and how errors are counted change your strategy.
Keep a steady pace. A rhythm you can hold for the whole test beats a fast start that fades.

How this compares with other Australia typing tests

Requirements vary widely by role — from around 25–35 WPM for call handling to 70+ WPM for transcription. Rows marked “Typical range” are common posting figures, not official standards.

Typing requirements in Australia by job
		Duration	Errors		Basis
Court / tribunal transcription officer	70 WPM	Varies	Very high accuracy	Audio	Typical range
APS admin (where tested)	40–60 WPM	3–5 min	Accuracy	Copy	Typical range
Administration officer	40–60 WPM	3–5 min	Accuracy	Copy	Typical range
Medical receptionist / secretary	45–60 WPM	Varies	High accuracy	Copy + audio	Typical range
Data entry operator	8,000–12,000 KPH	3–5 min	Accuracy	Data entry	Typical range
Receptionist	35–45 WPM	Short	Accuracy	Copy	Typical range
Legal secretary	50–65 WPM	Dictation + copy	Very high accuracy	Copy + audio	Typical range
Triple Zero (000) call-taker	30–40 WPM	Short	Accuracy on details	Copy + audio	Typical range

Frequently asked questions

Not for most roles. Some admin, EA and transcription roles include one.

Where tested, typically 40–60 WPM. The listing sets the figure.

In the job information pack on APSJobs.

No — it is independent practice.

Australian English, which follows British convention.

Sources

Requirements change. Always confirm the speed, duration and error rules in the official job posting or exam notice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us — we review every requirement quarterly (methodology).

APSJobs — Australian Public Service vacancies — Australian Public Service Commission (checked October 18, 2026)

Related tests and guides

More tests for this market: Australia Typing Tests · Every requirement in one table: typing requirements by job

APS Typing Test (Australian Public Service)