APS Pitch CheckerStatement of claims example and template for APS job applications
Short answer: A statement of claims gives evidence, usually in STAR order, that you meet the key duties or capabilities in the job ad, within a set word or page limit. A reliable layout is a short opening, one example under a heading for each capability using the ad's wording, and a one or two-sentence close.
A statement of claims is your written case that you can do the job, built from evidence rather than adjectives. This page gives you a fill-in template, a complete fictional example for an APS6 role and a quick check for the most common problems. It's about job applications only: a "statement of claim" filed in a court is a different legal document, and this page doesn't cover it.
The usual format
Agencies don't use the term consistently. "Statement of claims", "statement of suitability", "statement addressing the capabilities" and "pitch" can all mean much the same thing, so the ad's instructions always beat the label. When an ad asks for a statement of claims, it usually wants:
- A length limit, often one or two pages or a word count such as 750 or 1000 words.
- Evidence against the key duties or capabilities in the job description, often four to six of them.
- Specific examples showing what you did and what changed, typically in STAR order (situation, task, action, result).
Two layouts are common. Grouped by capability: a short heading for each capability or group of capabilities, with one example under each. Flowing: no headings, just an opening, two or three examples and a close, like a pitch. If the ad lists capabilities and doesn't ban headings, grouping makes it easy for the panel to find your evidence for each one. Our guide to pitch vs statement of claims vs selection criteria covers how to tell what an ad wants.
A fill-in template
Use this as a scaffold for a grouped statement of about 750 words. Replace every bracket, then delete any part that doesn't fit your ad.
[Optional one-line title: Statement of claims, [Role title], [Job reference number]]
Opening (40-60 words). I am currently [role] at [organisation], where I [the one or two responsibilities most relevant to this job]. My experience in [area 1] and [area 2] matches the role's focus on [duty from the ad].
[Capability or duty heading 1, in the ad's words] (180-220 words). [One sentence of situation.] [What you were asked to do or decided to take on.] [Three to five sentences of what you did, with the judgement behind it.] [The result, with a number or a concrete change, and who benefited.]
[Capability or duty heading 2] (180-220 words). [A different example, ideally from a different setting.]
[Capability or duty heading 3] (180-220 words). [A third example, or a shorter example covering two related capabilities.]
Close (30-50 words). [One or two sentences linking your evidence to this team's work. No summary of the examples.]
Word budgets assume 750 words. For 1000 words, add a fourth heading or give each example more action detail. For 500 words, use two headings, each covering two capabilities.
A complete fictional example (APS6)
Everything below is invented: the person, agency, programs and numbers. It's here to show shape, level and density, not wording to reuse. The fictional ad asked for "a statement of claims of no more than 750 words addressing the key capabilities": stakeholder engagement, analysis and advice, and leading and developing others.
Role: Senior Policy Officer, APS6 (fictional).
Statement of claims: Senior Policy Officer, APS6
I am a Policy Officer (APS5, currently acting APS6) in a regional development program, where I lead consultation, analyse program data and draft advice for the Director. My experience in stakeholder negotiation and evidence-based advice matches this role's focus on reforming eligibility settings with state partners.
Stakeholder engagement
In 2025 our program needed agreement from four state agencies on a shared definition of "regional business" before a funding round could open. Two states used incompatible definitions and the round was at risk of slipping by a quarter. I was asked to broker an agreed position within eight weeks. I met each state's lead officer separately to understand what they could and couldn't change, then mapped the four definitions against our program data to show where they overlapped. I proposed a core definition with two optional state-specific additions, circulated a two-page options paper and chaired three working-group meetings. When one state objected late, I worked with our legal area on wording that met its concern without reopening the core definition. All four states signed the agreed definition in seven weeks, and the round opened on schedule.
Analysis and advice
Last year the Director asked why 30% of eligible businesses in two regions weren't applying. I designed a short analysis using three years of application data and census business counts, and I ran six phone interviews with local business councils. I found that the main barrier was a requirement to provide audited accounts, which most micro-businesses don't have. I drafted a brief with three options, each costed and risk-rated, and recommended accepting accountant-certified statements for grants under $50,000. I also briefed the Assistant Secretary in person and answered questions from the finance area. The recommendation was approved, and applications from the two regions rose by 40% in the next round, with no increase in compliance issues at the six-month audit check.
Leading and developing others
While acting APS6 I supervise two APS4 officers. When one of them was preparing her first ministerial brief, I set up a weekly 30-minute check-in, shared examples of briefs that had worked well and gave written feedback on two drafts, focusing on structure rather than rewriting her work. I also created a one-page brief checklist that the whole section now uses. Her next three briefs went to the Director with no structural changes, and she has since taken over our quarterly stakeholder report. The checklist reduced the number of briefs returned for rework from about one in three to one in eight over six months.
The role's work on eligibility reform with state partners builds directly on the negotiation and analysis I've described, and I would bring tested working relationships with the state agencies involved.
This example is 455 words including headings, which leaves almost 300 words in a 750-word limit for a fourth capability or more detail on actions.
Why it works: each heading uses the ad's own words; every example has one sentence of context, a clear task, several specific actions in the first person and a result with a number; the APS6 level shows through negotiating across agencies, briefing senior staff, designing analysis and supervising others; and there's no generic praise of the agency or list of personal qualities.
For more on pitching to the level, see APS pitch examples for APS5, APS6 and EL1.
Statement of claims vs cover letter
"Statement of claims vs cover letter" is a common search because some ads ask for one, some for the other and a few for both. The difference is purpose:
| Statement of claims | Cover letter | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Evidence that you meet the role's requirements | Introduce you and your interest; sometimes asked to summarise suitability |
| Tone | Evidence-heavy, in the first person | Letter format, briefer |
| Assessed against criteria? | Yes, usually | Only if the ad says it will be |
| Greeting and sign-off | Not needed | Yes |
If the ad asks for a statement of claims only, don't add an unrequested cover letter. If it asks for a cover letter that addresses the criteria, treat the body as a statement of claims in letter form: short greeting, evidence-based body, brief sign-off. When it's unclear, ask the contact officer named in the ad.
A 10-point check before you submit
- It's under the word or page limit, with any font rules met.
- Every capability or duty the ad asks you to address is covered somewhere.
- Headings, if you use them, match the ad's wording.
- Each example has a result, and most results include a number or a concrete change.
- Actions take up most of each example; background takes up a sentence or two.
- "I" is used for what you did. "We" appears only where you're describing the team.
- The examples show the level of the job you're applying for.
- Nothing repeats your resume line by line.
- Every claim is true and you could talk about it in an interview. The APSC's principles on candidate use of AI make the same point if you've used AI to help draft it (see our summary).
- You've pasted it into the free checker to confirm the word count and look for "we"-heavy paragraphs.
FAQ
How long is a statement of claims?
Whatever the ad sets, commonly one or two pages or a word limit such as 750 or 1000 words. Treat the limit as a hard ceiling.
Should a statement of claims have headings?
If the ad lists capabilities and doesn't say otherwise, short headings using the ad's wording help the panel find your evidence. If the ad asks for a flowing pitch, leave them out.
Is a statement of claims the same as a cover letter?
No. A statement of claims is evidence against the role's requirements and is usually assessed. A cover letter introduces you and is only assessed against criteria if the ad says so.
Is this the same as a statement of claim for court?
No. This page is about job applications only. A statement of claim filed in a court is a legal document and isn't covered here.
Free download: a worked APS5 pitch (PDF)
A complete 500-word fictional APS5 pitch with notes on why each paragraph works, plus a one-page STAR planner. Email is optional. You can download it straight away either way.
Want the full workbook and templates?
The APS Pitch Kit (A$24, made by us) adds an Excel/Google Sheets example bank, a criteria matcher with word counts for 300-1000-word limits, pitch, statement of claims and selection criteria templates, and three fictional worked pitches (APS4, APS6, EL1). One-off price, instant download, 14-day refund with no questions asked. If you got here from the free sample, code SAMPLE20 takes 20% off (A$19.20).
It's a writing aid. It can't guarantee an interview or a job, and you don't need it to use this free checker.
Disclosure: Mint sells the APS Pitch Kit mentioned above. This guide is independent general information, not affiliated with the APSC or any agency. Examples are fictional. Last updated 2026-10-21.